An HVAC unit

Abstract

The present invention relates to an HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) unit (1) with a discrete structure, wherein an external heat exchanger (2) is integrated in order to make the thermal systems used in the automotive industry more compact.

Description

[0001] AN HVAC UNIT

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to an HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) unit with a discrete structure, wherein an external heat exchanger is integrated in order to make the thermal systems used in the automotive industry more compact.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] HVAC units are used for heating, ventilation and air conditioning in vehicles and enable comfort environments to be created by performing the desired temperature, humidity, air flow and air filtration processes in the cabin. In HVAC units in vehicles, the refrigeration cycle parts are located far from each other and connected to each other by air conditioning pipes. Today, the external heat exchanger of the vehicle is packaged separately from the HVAC unit near the front opening of the vehicle, the entire or most of the HVAC unit is packaged inside the cabin under the glove box / dashboard and the remaining parts are packaged outside the cabin under the hood. This situation poses the problem of having the parts of the HVAC unit on the vehicle in a complex way and also creates disadvantages in terms of weight and cost. Furthermore, due to the volumetrically expanding refrigeration cycle, resistance increases throughout the HVAC system and the amount of required refrigerant increases, reducing efficiency. Cost and weight increases are higher for refrigerants with higher operating pressures. Since it poses a high risk for flammable refrigerants, the use of efficient refrigerants is prevented or indirectly causes a decrease in efficiency when used. In addition, since the external heat exchanger located near the front of the vehicle is located in the frontal crash zone, it causes disruption of the closed cycle conditions of the system, fire risk due to flammable refrigerants and high repair costs in accidents. For this reason, today, there is a need for solutions in order to overcome the aforementioned problems, wherein a heat exchanger located in the opening at the front of the vehicle is integrated into the HVAC unit.

[0006] The Chinese patent document no. CN217374066U, an application included in the state of the art, discloses a system which enables air conditioning units in vehicles to be more efficient and comfortable. The system uses an integrated heating and cooling distribution box with a middle partition. This box accommodates components such as an air blower, air intake filter, various dampers for cooling and heating, heat exchanger and PTC heater. The working principle of the system is as follows: Air is taken in by filtration. It is then directed through the blower into the cooling or heating cycle. By means of the middle partition, hot and cold air can be delivered to the cabin without mixing with each other. In this way, air can be blown independently to the face or feet of the driver and passengers. There is also a defrost function. The advantages of this design over conventional models are as follows: Clean air is provided by means of the filter. Air quality control inside the cabin is improved with different air intake modes. Combined use of heat exchanger and PTC heater contributes to energy saving. By means of the middle partition, hot and cold air is delivered without mixing with each other, providing zone-controlled air conditioning. In addition, space saving is achieved by means of the compact structure of the system.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008] An object of the present invention is to realize a discrete HVAC unit outside the cabin wherein the external heat exchanger located in the front opening of the vehicle is integrated into the HVAC unit and the external heat exchanger is enabled to be used in cabin air conditioning in order to make the thermal systems used in the automotive sector more compact. Another object of the invention is to realize an HVAC unit which can be used with all types of air conditioning gases and is PFAS compliant.

[0009] A further object of the invention is to realize an HVAC unit which has fewer components, less amount of gas, lighter construction and lower cost compared to conventional systems.

[0010] A further object of the invention is to realize an HVAC unit which has an independent condenser and radiator with better heat exchange capability than conventional systems.

[0011] A further object of the invention is to realize an HVAC unit which provides compatibility with the commonization of left-hand or right-hand drive vehicles.

[0012] A further object of the invention is to realize an HVAC unit which enables the expansion of the usable internal volume in vehicles, and which is suitable for a high efficiency direct heat pump.

[0013] A further object of the invention is to realize an HVAC unit which enables maximum utilization of the packaging space under the hood, as there are no internal combustion and hybrid variants.

[0014] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0015] “An HVAC Unit” realized to fulfil the objectives of the present invention is shown in the figure attached, in which:

[0016] Figure l is a schematic view of the inventive HVAC unit on a vehicle.

[0017] The components illustrated in the figure are individually numbered, where the numbers refer to the following: 1. HVAC unit

[0018] 2. External heat exchanger

[0019] 3. Shroud

[0020] 4. Active shutter mechanism

[0021] 5. Filter

[0022] 6. Fan

[0023] 7. Cabin filter

[0024] 8. Blower

[0025] 9. Heat exchanger

[0026] 10. Air distribution unit

[0027] 11. Radiator

[0028] 12. Radiator fan

[0029] 13. Radiator shutter mechanism

[0030] 14. Cycle path

[0031] 15. Clean air path

[0032] 16. Mixing flap

[0033] An inventive HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) unit (1) wherein the external heat exchanger is integrated into the unit and positioned outside the vehicle cabin comprises at least one external heat exchanger (2) which is located outside the cabin, in particular in the front opening of the vehicle in which it will be used, and which transfers heat between the environment and the cabin; at least one shroud (3) which is connected to the external heat exchanger (2) and provides air to the external heat exchanger (2); at least one active shutter mechanism (4) which is located at the end of the shroud (3) not connected to the external heat exchanger (2) and is used to adjust the amount of air to be delivered to the external heat exchanger (2); at least one filter (5) which is located at the other end of the external heat exchanger (2) and enables the air provided by the shroud to be filtered; at least one fan (6) which is located at the other end of the filter (5) not connected to the external heat exchanger (2) and which enables air to be drawn from the shroud (3); at least one cabin filter (7) which enables the air drawn by the fan and entering the cabin to be filtered; at least one blower (8) which enables the air passing through the cabin filter to be delivered to the cabin; at least one heat exchanger (9) which is located immediately at the outlet of the blower (8) and is positioned back-to-back; at least one air distribution unit (10) which enables air to be distributed so as to be delivered to different areas; at least one radiator (11) which provides heat to the outside environment; at least one radiator fan (12) which provides air to the radiator (7); and at least one radiator shutter mechanism (16) which is used to adjust the amount of air to be delivered to the radiator (11).

[0034] An inventive HVAC unit (1) further comprises at least one cycle path (14) which provides cycle air to the system, at least one clean air path (15) which provides clean air to the system, and at least one mixing flap (16) which enables air produced by different air providers to be mixed. The mixing flap (16) enables the content of the air to be taken into the cabin to be decided by being used in different functions such as cycle air and clean air adjustment.

[0035] The external heat exchanger (2) included in an inventive HVAC unit (1) is located in the front opening of the vehicle and receives air provided by the active shutter mechanism (4) and the shroud (3). The external heat exchanger (2) functions as a condenser in the cooling process and as an evaporator in the heating, reheating and dehumidification processes. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the external heat exchanger (2) is enabled to be used in different functions together with the heat exchanger (9) by being used within the unit. The filter (5) and fan (6) included in an inventive HVAC unit (1) enable the air entering the external heat exchanger (2) to be cleaned and drawn in. In this way, the amount of air delivered to the external heat exchanger (2) can be adjusted by adjusting the air drawn by the fan (6) and the active shutter mechanism (4).

[0036] The cabin filter (7) included in an inventive HVAC unit (1) enables the air coming from the external heat exchanger (2) to be filtered and delivered to the heat exchangers (9) by means of the blower (8). The blower (8), on the other hand, is located at the outlet of the cabin filter (7) and enables the air to reach the heat exchangers (9).

[0037] The heat exchanger (9) included in an inventive HVAC unit (1) operates with cooling function when cooling is required in the cabin, while the external heat exchanger (2) operates with heat removal function. The heat exchanger (9) operates with the heating function and the external heat exchanger operates with the heat receiving function when there is a demand for heating in the cabin. The external heat exchanger (2) enables the cooled and dehumidified air to be delivered by controlling the amount of air passing over it through the mixing flap (16) when a dehumidification demand occurs in the cabin. Therefore, the desired dehumidification function is provided. By means of the use of two heat exchangers (9) in the inventive HVAC unit, one of the heat exchangers (9) performs both heating and cooling functions, while the other heat exchanger (9) is used for other purposes.

[0038] The air distribution unit (10) included in an inventive HVAC unit (1) is the element positioned closest to the vehicle cabin and enables the air that will be delivered to the cabin to be distributed to different areas. In this way, the air passing through the heat exchangers (9) can be delivered to the desired area in the cabin. The air distribution unit (10) contains air directing ducts, flaps that provide air direction, sensors and cables between the cabin and the unit elements therein. The radiator (11) included in an inventive vehicle thermal system enables the heat generated in the vehicle to be dissipated by using the air drawn in by means of the radiator fan (12) and the radiator shutter mechanism (13). The radiator shutter mechanism (13) enables the amount of air to be drawn into the radiator (11) to be adjusted by means of the radiator fan (12).

[0039] The mixing flap (16) included in an inventive HVAC unit (1) eliminates the need to reheat the air in order to reach the blowing temperature in the air conditioning area by adjusting the amount of air passing through the heat exchanger (9) when the cabin is in cooling mode.

[0040] In the inventive HVAC unit (1), since the external heat exchanger (2) is integrated into the HVAC unit and the integrated unit is positioned outside the cabin, it can be used for heat transfer function with the external environment as well as for cabin air conditioning since the external heat exchanger (2) is integrated into the HVAC unit. Therefore, the second heat exchanger (9) used in the HVAC unit can be avoided. At the same time, while the invention provides cost, weight and efficiency advantages, there is no need for hoses and pipes used to transport the refrigerant between the external heat exchanger (2) and the unit. When the compressor and other circuit elements are positioned close to the HVAC unit (1), the refrigerant transportation line is almost completely eliminated. The simple structure thus achieved means cost reduction and increased efficiency for refrigerants with high operating pressure values. In addition, the HVAC unit (1) increases overall system efficiency as it reduces the risk of fire for flammable refrigerants and allows direct use when the HVAC unit (1) is placed outside the cabin. With the discrete structure of the external heat exchanger (2) from the radiator (11), the problems created by the two components in terms of heat transfer and resistance to each other are eliminated. Since the size and weight of the external heat exchanger (2) and the radiator (11) are reduced compared to conventional use, the cost is optimized. On the other hand, the HVAC unit (1), apart from the air distribution unit (10), increases the usable living space as it takes up very little space in the cabin due to its discrete structure designed with its parts outside the cabin.

[0041] Within these basic concepts; it is possible to develop various embodiments of the inventive “An HVAC Unit (1)”; the invention cannot be limited to examples disclosed herein and it is essentially according to claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An HVAC unit (1) wherein the external heat exchanger is integrated into the unit and positioned outside the vehicle cabin characterized by at least one external heat exchanger (2) which is located outside the cabin, in particular in the front opening of the vehicle in which it will be used, and which transfers heat between the environment and the cabin; at least one shroud (3) which is connected to the external heat exchanger (2) and provides air to the external heat exchanger (2); at least one active shutter mechanism (4) which is located at the end of the shroud (3) not connected to the external heat exchanger (2) and is used to adjust the amount of air to be delivered to the external heat exchanger (2); at least one filter (5) which is located at the other end of the external heat exchanger (2) and enables the air provided by the shroud to be filtered; at least one fan (6) which is located at the other end of the filter (5) not connected to the external heat exchanger (2) and which enables air to be drawn from the shroud (3); at least one cabin filter (7) which enables the air drawn by the fan and entering the cabin to be filtered; at least one blower (8) which enables the air passing through the cabin filter to be transmitted to the cabin; at least one heat exchanger (9) which is located immediately at the outlet of the blower (8) and is positioned back-to-back; at least one air distribution unit (10) which enables air to be distributed so as to be delivered to different areas; at least one radiator (11) which provides heat to the outside environment; at least one radiator fan (12) which provides air to the radiator (7); and at least one radiator shutter mechanism (16) which is used to adjust the amount of air to be delivered to the radiator (11).

2. An HVAC unit (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by at least one cycle path (14) which provides cycle air to the system, at least one clean air path (15) which provides clean air to the system, and at least one mixing flap (16) which enables air produced by different air providers to be mixed.

3. An HVAC unit (1) according to Claim 1 or 2; characterized by the mixing flap (16) which enables the content of the air to be taken into the cabin to be decided by being used in different functions such as cycle air and clean air adjustment.

4. An HVAC unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the external heat exchanger (2) which is located in the front opening of the vehicle and receives air provided by the active shutter mechanism (4) and the shroud (3).

5. An HVAC unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the external heat exchanger (2) which functions as a condenser in the cooling process and as an evaporator in the heating, reheating and dehumidification processes.

6. An HVAC unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the heat exchanger (9) which operates with cooling function when cooling is required in the cabin, while the external heat exchanger (2) operates with heat removal function.

7. An HVAC unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the heat exchanger (9) which operates with the heating function and the external heat exchanger operates with the heat receiving function when there is a demand for heating in the cabin.

8. An HVAC unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the external heat exchanger (2) which enables the cooled and dehumidified air to be delivered by controlling the amount of air passing over it through the mixing flap (16) when a dehumidification demand occurs in the cabin.

9. An HVAC unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the air distribution unit (10) which is the element positioned closest to the vehicle cabin and enables the air that will be delivered to the cabin to be distributed to different areas.

10. An HVAC unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the air distribution unit (10) which contains air directing ducts, flaps that provide air direction, sensors and cables between the cabin and the unit elements therein.

11. An HVAC unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the mixing flap (16) which eliminates the need to reheat the air in order to reach the blowing temperature in the air conditioning area by adjusting the amount of air passing through the heat exchanger (9) when the cabin is in cooling mode.

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