Vehicle air conditioning system

Abstract

This vehicle air conditioning system comprises a cooling module to which a heat exchange unit is attached and integrated, and an air conditioning unit that performs heat exchange with air in the heat exchange unit in order to cool and heat the inside of a vehicle cabin. The air conditioning unit has an opening, and the heat exchange unit is inserted into the air conditioning unit from the opening.

Description

Vehicle air conditioning system

[0001] This disclosure relates to a vehicle air conditioning system.

[0002] Conventionally, vehicle air conditioning systems have been used to provide heating and cooling inside the vehicle. Examples of technologies related to such vehicle air conditioning systems include those described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, which are cited below.

[0003] The vehicle air conditioning system described in Patent Document 1 (vehicle air conditioning device in Patent Document 1) comprises a refrigeration cycle device, a high-temperature side heat transfer medium circuit, and an air conditioning unit (indoor air conditioning unit in Patent Document 1). The refrigeration cycle device has components such as a cooler core (indoor evaporator in Patent Document 1), a high-temperature side water-refrigerant heat exchanger, a compressor, an expansion valve, and an evaporator, and each component is connected by piping. Refrigerant flows through the piping of the refrigeration cycle device. The cooler core is housed inside the air conditioning unit, and the other components are located outside the air conditioning unit. The high-temperature side heat transfer medium circuit has components such as a heater core, a high-temperature side water-refrigerant heat exchanger, a pump, a valve, and a radiator, and each component is connected by piping. Coolant flows through the piping of the high-temperature side heat transfer medium circuit. The heater core is housed inside the air conditioning unit, and the other components are located outside the air conditioning unit.

[0004] The vehicle air conditioning system described in Patent Document 2 (vehicle air conditioning device in Patent Document 2) is configured to be switchable between a cooling mode and a heating mode using a coolant that has undergone heat exchange with a refrigerant flowing through a condenser and evaporator of a heat pump cycle. This vehicle air conditioning system includes a cooler core that exchanges heat between a coolant cooled via an evaporator and air, and a heater core that exchanges heat between a coolant heated via a condenser and air. The cooler core and heater core are housed inside an air conditioning unit (indoor air conditioning unit in Patent Document 2), while the condenser and evaporator are located outside the air conditioning unit. Piping is connected between the cooler core and the evaporator, and between the heater core and the condenser, with coolant flowing through the inside of each pipe. Piping is also connected between the condenser and the evaporator, with refrigerant flowing through the inside of the pipe.

[0005] JP 2019-60580 A, JP 2015-16706 A

[0006] When a cooler core and a heater core are connected to other components via pipes as in the vehicle air conditioning systems described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when refrigerant or coolant flows through the pipes toward the cooler core or the heater core, there is a risk that heat exchange will occur between the refrigerant or coolant and air in the pipes. In particular, when the cooler core and the heater core are spaced apart from other components, the pipe length becomes longer and heat exchange is likely to occur. If heat exchange occurs with air in the pipes before the refrigerant or coolant is supplied to the cooler core or the heater core, there is a risk that sufficient heat exchange between the cooler core or heater core and air in the air conditioning unit will not occur. As a result, the efficiency of heating and cooling in the vehicle interior decreases, and there is room for improvement.

[0007] Therefore, a vehicle air conditioning system that suppresses a decrease in the efficiency of heating and cooling in the vehicle interior is desired.

[0008] One embodiment of the vehicle air conditioning system according to the present disclosure includes a cooling module to which a heat exchange part is attached and integrated, and an air conditioning unit that exchanges heat with air at the heat exchange part to perform heating and cooling in the vehicle interior. The air conditioning unit has an opening, and the heat exchange part is inserted into the air conditioning unit from the opening.

[0009] In the vehicle air conditioning system of this embodiment, the air conditioning unit has an opening, and the heat exchange part integrated with the cooling module is inserted into the air conditioning unit from the opening. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the coolant flowing in the cooling module from exchanging heat with air before reaching the heat exchange part. Therefore, sufficient heat exchange can be performed between the coolant in the heat exchange part and the air flowing inside the air conditioning unit, and a decrease in the efficiency of heating and cooling in the vehicle interior can be suppressed.

[0010] Figure 3 is a circuit diagram of the vehicle air conditioning system according to this embodiment. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the state before the cooler core and heater core of the coolant manifold are inserted into the HVAC unit. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the state after the cooler core and heater core of the coolant manifold have been inserted into the HVAC unit. Figure 6 is a side view of the HVAC unit. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V in Figure 3 and a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the portion of the coolant manifold that is fixed to the vehicle body.

[0011] The embodiments of the vehicle air conditioning system described herein will be explained in detail below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are illustrative examples for illustrating the vehicle air conditioning system and do not limit the vehicle air conditioning system described herein to these embodiments only. Therefore, the vehicle air conditioning system described herein can be implemented in various forms without departing from its essence.

[0012] [Circuit Configuration of Vehicle Air Conditioning System] Figure 1 shows the circuit configuration of the vehicle air conditioning system 1. The vehicle air conditioning system 1 is mounted on a vehicle and, as shown in Figure 1, comprises a refrigerant module 2, a coolant module 3, and an HVAC unit 6 (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning unit, an example of an air conditioning unit). The refrigerant module 2 is provided with a refrigerant flow path 2A, and the coolant module 3 is provided with a coolant flow path 3A.

[0013] [Refrigerant Module Configuration] The refrigerant module 2 is a general term for the parts of the vehicle air conditioning system 1 through which the refrigerant flows. The refrigerant module 2 consists of an accumulator 10, a compressor 11, a water-cooled condenser 12, an expansion valve 13, a chiller 14, and a refrigerant flow path 2A connecting these. The refrigerant flow path 2A circulates the refrigerant between the water-cooled condenser 12 and the chiller 14. The refrigerant module 2 is configured to allow the refrigerant to flow between the accumulator 10, the compressor 11, the water-cooled condenser 12, the expansion valve 13, and the chiller 14 via the refrigerant flow path 2A. Refrigerants such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) flow through the refrigerant flow path 2A.

[0014] The accumulator 10 separates the liquid refrigerant contained in the gaseous refrigerant and stores it. The gaseous refrigerant after the liquid refrigerant has been separated in the accumulator 10 flows through the first refrigerant flow path 21 and is sent to the compressor 11.

[0015] The compressor 11 compresses the refrigerant sent from the accumulator 10. This causes the refrigerant to become a high-temperature compressed gas. The compressor 11 then sends this high-temperature compressed gas to the water-cooled condenser 12 via the second refrigerant flow path 22. In other words, the compressor 11 pressurizes the refrigerant from the accumulator 10 and sends it to the water-cooled condenser 12.

[0016] The refrigerant supplied from the compressor 11 flows into the water-cooled condenser 12. The water-cooled condenser 12 is configured so that coolant flows in from the first coolant passage 31 and flows out from the second coolant passage 32. The first coolant passage 31 and the second coolant passage 32 are constructed separately from the second refrigerant passage 22. The refrigerant that flows into the water-cooled condenser 12 from the second refrigerant passage 22 condenses and liquefies through heat exchange with the coolant that flows in from the first coolant passage 31. The liquefied refrigerant flows out into the third refrigerant passage 23. This third refrigerant passage 23, like the second refrigerant passage 22, is constructed separately from the first coolant passage 31 and the second coolant passage 32.

[0017] The refrigerant (liquefied refrigerant) flowing through the third refrigerant passage 23 is expanded by the expansion valve 13 and turned into a low-temperature, low-pressure mist. The mist refrigerant then flows through the fourth refrigerant passage 24.

[0018] The refrigerant that has flowed through the fourth refrigerant passage 24 flows into the chiller 14. As described above, the refrigerant, which has been atomized to a low temperature and low pressure by expansion in the expansion valve 13, flows through the fourth refrigerant passage 24. The chiller 14 is configured so that coolant flows in from the third coolant passage 33 and flows out from the fourth coolant passage 34. The third coolant passage 33 and the fourth coolant passage 34 are constructed separately from the fourth refrigerant passage 24. The refrigerant that has flowed into the chiller 14 from the fourth refrigerant passage 24 is heated and evaporated by heat exchange with the coolant that has flowed in from the third coolant passage 33. The evaporated gaseous refrigerant flows out into the fifth refrigerant passage 25 and flows into the accumulator 10. This fifth refrigerant passage 25, like the fourth refrigerant passage 24, is constructed separately from the third coolant passage 33 and the fourth coolant passage 34.

[0019] [Coolant Module Configuration] The coolant module 3 is a general term for the parts of the vehicle air conditioning system 1 through which coolant flows. The coolant module 3 consists of a water-cooled condenser 12, a chiller 14, a first switching valve 51, a second switching valve 52, a third switching valve 53, a radiator 54, a check valve 55, a cooler core 62 (an example of a heat exchange section), a heater core 63 (an example of a heat exchange section), a first pump P1, a second pump P2, and a coolant flow path 3A connecting these. The coolant flow path 3A is through which the coolant that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the water-cooled condenser 12 and chiller 14 flows.

[0020] The coolant module 3 is configured to allow coolant to flow through a coolant passage 3A between the water-cooled condenser 12, chiller 14, first switching valve 51, second switching valve 52, third switching valve 53, radiator 54, cooler core 62, and heater core 63 via the first pump P1 and second pump P2. Coolant flows through the coolant passage 3A, consisting of coolant water such as antifreeze or long-life coolant mainly composed of ethylene glycol, or coolant oil composed of insulating oil such as paraffin. Note that "coolant" is a general term for coolant water and coolant oil.

[0021] As described above, the water-cooled condenser 12 is configured such that coolant flows in from the first coolant passage 31 and flows out from the second coolant passage 32. The first coolant passage 31 is provided with a first pump P1, which pumps the coolant under pressure.

[0022] The first switching valve 51 is located in the coolant flow path 3A and is configured to allow coolant to flow from the water-cooled condenser 12 and the chiller 14. Coolant is supplied to the first switching valve 51 from the water-cooled condenser 12 via the second coolant flow path 32, and from the chiller 14 via the fourth coolant flow path 34, the third switching valve 53, and the fifth coolant flow path 35.

[0023] The first switching valve 51 is configured to switch the outlet destination of the coolant flowing in from either or both of the second coolant passage 32 and the fifth coolant passage 35 to either or both of the sixth coolant passage 36 and the seventh coolant passage 37. The coolant that flows out of the first switching valve 51 into the sixth coolant passage 36 flows into the heater core 63. The coolant that flows into and out of the heater core 63 flows through the eighth coolant passage 38 and flows into the second switching valve 52.

[0024] Furthermore, the coolant that flows out from the first switching valve 51 into the seventh coolant passage 37 flows into the radiator 54. In the radiator 54, heat exchange takes place between the coolant and the air, and the coolant is cooled. After heat exchange, the coolant flows out and circulates through the eleventh coolant passage 41 and merges with the ninth coolant passage 39.

[0025] The second switching valve 52 is configured to switch the outlet destination of the coolant flowing in from the eighth coolant passage 38 so that it flows out to either or both of the ninth coolant passage 39 and the tenth coolant passage 40. The coolant that flows out into the ninth coolant passage 39 flows through the first coolant passage 31 after passing through the check valve 55.

[0026] Furthermore, the coolant that flows out of the second switching valve 52 into the tenth coolant passage 40 is pumped by the second pump P2 and flows through the third coolant passage 33 before flowing into the chiller 14. The coolant cooled by heat exchange in the chiller 14 flows through the fourth coolant passage 34 and is sent to the third switching valve 53. The third switching valve 53 is configured to switch the outlet destination so that the coolant flowing in from the fourth coolant passage 34 flows out into either the fifth coolant passage 35 or the twelfth coolant passage 42, or both.

[0027] The coolant that flows out of the third switching valve 53 into the fifth coolant passage 35 flows into the first switching valve 51. The coolant that flows out into the twelfth coolant passage 42 flows into the cooler core 62. The coolant that flows out of the cooler core 62 flows through the thirteenth coolant passage 43 and flows into the second pump P2, where it is pumped under pressure, and then flows through the third coolant passage 33 and flows into the chiller 14.

[0028] In this embodiment, a portion of the coolant flow path 3A of the coolant module 3 is configured as a manifold body 71 (see Figure 2). The manifold body 71 is constructed by sealing a housing body in which the coolant flow path 3A is formed with a plate member. The manifold body 71 is made of a resin material such as polypropylene. The manifold body 71 allows for the aggregation of multiple coolant flow paths 3A. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a first switching valve 51, a second switching valve 52, a check valve 55, a cooler core 62, a heater core 63, a first pump P1, and a second pump P2 are attached to and integrated with the manifold body 71. Hereinafter, the configuration in which the above components are attached to and integrated with the manifold will be referred to as a coolant manifold 7 (an example of a cooling module). The coolant manifold 7 is composed of the components and coolant flow paths 3A enclosed by the dashed line in Figure 1.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the manifold body 71 has a roughly polygonal prism shape, with a first switching valve 51, a second switching valve 52, a first pump P1, and a second pump P2 mounted on one bottom surface, and a plate 72 positioned on the other bottom surface (check valve 55 is not shown). Part of the 12th coolant passage 42 and part of the 13th coolant passage 43 extend as piping through the plate 72, and a cooler core 62 is positioned at the extended end (see Figure 5). Also, part of the 6th coolant passage 36 and part of the 8th coolant passage 38 extend as piping through the plate 72, and a heater core 63 is positioned at the extended end. In other words, the cooler core 62 and the heater core 63 are spaced apart from the manifold body 71 by the length of the extended coolant passage 3A.

[0030] In this embodiment, a portion of the coolant flow path 3A of the coolant module 3 is configured as a manifold body 71, and a first switching valve 51, a second switching valve 52, a check valve 55, a cooler core 62, a heater core 63, a first pump P1, and a second pump P2 are attached to the manifold body 71 and integrated to form a coolant manifold 7. As a result, the length of the piping for the 12th coolant flow path 42 and the 13th coolant flow path 43 connecting the manifold body 71 and the cooler core 62 can be shortened, and the length of the piping for the 6th coolant flow path 36 and the 8th coolant flow path 38 connecting the manifold body 71 and the heater core 63 can also be shortened. Therefore, heat exchange between the coolant flowing through the piping and the air can be made less likely to occur. As a result, sufficient heat exchange for heating and cooling can be performed between the cooler core 62 and / or heater core 63 in the HVAC unit 6 and the air flowing inside the case 64, and a decrease in the efficiency of heating and cooling in the vehicle compartment 5 can be suppressed.

[0031] Furthermore, since a portion of the coolant flow path 3A of the coolant module 3 is configured as the manifold body 71, the overall piping length of the coolant flow path 3A can be shortened, thereby reducing the overall volume of the vehicle air conditioning system 1. This also reduces the cost of the vehicle air conditioning system 1.

[0032] [Configuration of the HVAC Unit] The HVAC unit 6 shown in Figure 1 is a general term for the part of the vehicle air conditioning system 1 that cools or heats the air by heat exchange and then sends it to the passenger compartment 5 to cool or heat the passenger compartment 5. The HVAC unit 6 consists of a blower 61, a cooler core 62, a heater core 63, and a case 64. The blower 61, cooler core 62, and heater core 63 are located inside the case 64.

[0033] The blower 61 draws in air from outside the vehicle or inside the passenger compartment 5 through the inlet 64a and circulates the drawn-in air through the inside of the case 64 toward the cooler core 62. The cooler core 62 is located downstream of the blower 61 in the direction of air circulation (the direction of the dashed arrow in Figure 1). The heater core 63 is also located downstream of the blower 61 and the cooler core 62 in the direction of air circulation. In other words, inside the case 64, the blower 61, cooler core 62, and heater core 63 are arranged in the order of blower 61, cooler core 62, and heater core 63 from upstream along the direction of air circulation. Note that the air refers to outside air or passenger compartment air that is drawn in by the blower 61 and circulates through the inside of the case 64.

[0034] The cooler core 62 performs heat exchange between air drawn in by the blower 61 and circulating inside the case 64 for heating and cooling the passenger compartment 5, and coolant flowing out from the chiller 14 and into the 12th coolant flow path 42. After heat exchange, the coolant flows out of the cooler core 62 and through the 13th coolant flow path 43, and is pumped to the chiller 14 by the second pump P2. The cooler core 62 also has a function (dehumidification function) that removes moisture contained in the air by condensation and converts it into dry air. Therefore, the cooler core 62 also functions as an adsorption part that adsorbs moisture.

[0035] The heater core 63 performs heat exchange between air supplied from the cooler core 62 and coolant flowing in from the sixth coolant passage 36 for heating and cooling the passenger compartment 5. After heat exchange, the coolant flows out of the heater core 63, through the eighth coolant passage 38, and into the second switching valve 52. The air after heat exchange is introduced into the passenger compartment 5. Specifically, the flow rate and temperature of the coolant supplied to the cooler core 62 and heater core 63 are adjusted by switching the flow state of the coolant using the first switching valve 51, the second switching valve 52, and the third switching valve 53, so that air at the desired temperature, which has undergone heat exchange with the coolant in the heater core 63, is introduced into the passenger compartment 5. This makes it possible to cool or heat the passenger compartment 5.

[0036] The specific configuration of the HVAC unit 6 is shown in Figures 2 to 4. The case 64 has an inlet 64a on the upstream side for taking in air drawn in by the blower 61. The case 64 also has an outlet 64b on the downstream side for releasing the air (cold or warm air) that has undergone heat exchange in the heater core 63 into the vehicle compartment 5.

[0037] As described above, the cooler core 62 and the heater core 63 are integrated into the coolant manifold 7. Therefore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cooler core 62 is inserted into the case 64 through a rectangular through-hole, the first opening 65 (an example of an opening), which is formed on the side of the case 64. The heater core 63 is inserted into the case 64 through a rectangular through-hole, the second opening 66 (an example of an opening), which is formed on the side of the case 64, separate from the first opening 65 and in the vicinity of the first opening 65. In other words, the cooler core 62 and the heater core 63 are located inside the case 64, but are not fixed to the case 64.

[0038] On the outer surface of the case 64, a first insulator 67 (an example of a vibration transmission suppression member) formed by foaming ethylene propylene diene rubber or urethane is fixed by adhesive or other means, surrounding the entire periphery of the first opening 65. Similarly, a second insulator 68 (an example of a vibration transmission suppression member) made of the same material as the first insulator 67 is fixed by adhesive or other means, surrounding the entire periphery of the second opening 66. The first insulator 67 and the second insulator 68 are spaced apart and do not contact each other. The first insulator 67 and the second insulator 68 are used not only to reduce vibrations (described later) but also to prevent air circulating inside the case 64 from leaking to the outside and to provide insulation from the outside. Therefore, it is preferable that the opening areas of the first opening 65 and the second opening 66 be as small as possible, allowing the cooler core 62 and heater core 63 to be inserted, respectively.

[0039] In this embodiment, a portion of the coolant flow path 3A of the coolant module 3 is configured as a manifold body 71, and a first switching valve 51, a second switching valve 52, a check valve 55, a cooler core 62, a heater core 63, a first pump P1, and a second pump P2 are attached to the manifold body 71 and integrated to form a coolant manifold 7. The HVAC unit 6 has a first opening 65 and a second opening 66, and the cooler core 62 and heater core 63, which are integrated with the coolant manifold 7, are inserted into the interior of the HVAC unit 6 from the first opening 65 and the second opening 66, respectively. As a result, the length of the piping for the 12th coolant flow path 42 and the 13th coolant flow path 43 connecting the manifold body 71 and the cooler core 62 can be shortened, and the length of the piping for the 6th coolant flow path 36 and the 8th coolant flow path 38 connecting the manifold body 71 and the heater core 63 can also be shortened. As a result, the coolant flowing from the manifold body 71 to the cooler core 62 and heater core 63 can be prevented from exchanging heat with the air before reaching the cooler core 62 and heater core 63. Therefore, sufficient heat exchange can be performed between the coolant in the cooler core 62 and heater core 63 of the HVAC unit 6 and the air flowing inside the case 64, thereby suppressing a decrease in the efficiency of heating and cooling in the passenger compartment 5.

[0040] Furthermore, since a portion of the coolant flow path 3A of the coolant module 3 is configured as the manifold body 71, the overall piping length of the coolant flow path 3A of the coolant module 3 can be shortened, thereby reducing the overall volume of the vehicle air conditioning system 1. This also reduces the cost of the vehicle air conditioning system 1.

[0041] [Method of Attaching the HVAC Unit and Coolant Manifold to the Vehicle Body] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, when the cooler core 62 and heater core 63 of the coolant manifold 7 are inserted into the case 64 of the HVAC unit 6, the plate 72 of the coolant manifold 7 presses against the first insulator 67 and the second insulator 68. At this time, both the case 64 of the HVAC unit 6 and the plate 72 of the coolant manifold 7 are in contact with the first insulator 67 and the second insulator 68, but the case 64 and the plate 72 are not in direct contact. Furthermore, the first insulator 67 and the second insulator 68 and the plate 72 are only in contact and are not fixed by adhesive or other means. In other words, the coolant manifold 7 is not fixed to the HVAC unit 6, and one of the HVAC unit 6 and the coolant manifold 7 is movable relative to the other.

[0042] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the HVAC unit 6 and the coolant manifold 7 are each attached to the vehicle body 8. The HVAC unit 6 is fixed to the vehicle body 8 by inserting bolts 69 through through holes (not shown) in a plurality of stays 64c integrally formed in the case 64 and screwing them into the vehicle body 8. The coolant manifold 7 is attached to the vehicle body 8 by inserting bolts 69 through through holes 71b in a plurality of stays 71a integrally formed in the manifold body 71 and screwing them into the vehicle body 8. At this time, a bush 73 made of an elastic material such as rubber is inserted between the through hole 71b and the bolt 69. In other words, the bolt 69 and the vehicle body 8 are in contact with the bush 73 and are not in direct contact with the stays 71a of the coolant manifold 7. For this reason, even when the coolant manifold 7 is attached to the vehicle body 8 by bolts 69, it is possible to move relative to the vehicle body 8, and it is also possible to move relative to the HVAC unit 6 fixed to the vehicle body 8.

[0043] As described above, a first switching valve 51, a second switching valve 52, a check valve 55, a cooler core 62, a heater core 63, a first pump P1, and a second pump P2 are attached to a manifold body 71 of a coolant manifold 7. Among these, at least each of the first pump P1 and the second pump P2 has a motor for rotating an impeller that pumps coolant. Therefore, vibration may occur when the first pump P1 and / or the second pump P2 is operated to rotationally drive the motor.

[0044] Vibration propagates through solids or air. Therefore, when the vibration generated by the first pump P1 and / or the second pump P2 of the coolant manifold 7 propagates to the manifold body 71 and then from the manifold body 71 to the case 64 of the HVAC unit 6, the case 64 may vibrate, and the vibration may propagate to the air flowing inside the case 64. Also, the vibration of the manifold body 71 may directly propagate to the air flowing inside the case 64. When the vibration propagates to the air flowing inside the case 64, the air may vibrate and airborne noise may be generated. When the airborne noise propagates into the passenger compartment 5 together with the air, the quietness inside the passenger compartment 5 may be impaired.

[0045] Therefore, in the vehicle air conditioning system 1 of the present embodiment, the coolant manifold 7 is not fixed to the HVAC unit 6, but is configured to be relatively movable with respect to the other. Therefore, it is difficult for the vibration generated by the first pump P1 and / or the second pump P2 of the coolant manifold 7 to propagate from the manifold body 71 to the case 64 of the HVAC unit 6, and the vibration of the case 64 is suppressed. As a result, the vibration of the air flowing inside the case 64 that propagates from the case 64 is also suppressed, and it becomes difficult for airborne noise generated by the vibration of the air to occur. Therefore, the possibility that the airborne noise propagates into the passenger compartment 5 together with the air for heating and cooling and impairs the quietness inside the passenger compartment 5 is reduced.

[0046] Also, the case 64 of the HVAC unit 6 and the plate 72 of the coolant manifold 7 both abut against the first insulator 67 and the second insulator 68. Since the first insulator 67 and the second insulator 68 are formed by foaming ethylene propylene diene rubber, urethane, etc., the vibration generated by the first pump P1 and / or the second pump P2 of the coolant manifold 7 is attenuated by the first insulator 67 and the second insulator 68. Therefore, it becomes more difficult for the vibration of the coolant manifold 7 to be further propagated to the case 64 of the HVAC unit 6, and it becomes more difficult for airborne noise to be generated.

[0047] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the first opening 65 into which the cooler core 62 is inserted and the second opening 66 into which the heater core 63 is inserted are formed separately. Therefore, the total area of the first opening 65 and the second opening 66 facing the coolant manifold 7 in the present embodiment is smaller than the area of the opening when the openings for inserting the cooler core 62 and the heater core 63 are combined into one. Therefore, it becomes more difficult for the vibration generated by the first pump P1 and / or the second pump P2 of the coolant manifold 7 to be propagated to the air flowing inside the case 64 from the first opening 65 and the second opening 66. As a result, it becomes even more difficult for airborne noise to be generated.

[0048] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the coolant manifold 7 is fixed to the vehicle body 8 via the bush 73. Therefore, the vibration generated by the first pump P1 and / or the second pump P2 of the coolant manifold 7 is attenuated by the bush 73 and is difficult to be propagated to the vehicle body 8. Therefore, it becomes more difficult for the vibration of the coolant manifold 7 to be propagated to the case 64 of the HVAC unit 6 fixed to the same vehicle body 8 via the stay 71a and the vehicle body 8, and it becomes even more difficult for airborne noise to be generated.

[0049] Furthermore, since the cooler core 62 and heater core 63 are connected to the manifold body 71 via piping, it is conceivable that vibrations generated by the first pump P1 and / or second pump P2 of the coolant manifold 7 may propagate from the piping to the cooler core 62 and heater core 63, causing them to vibrate, which in turn may cause the air circulating inside the case 64 to vibrate. However, the surface area of ​​the cooler core 62 and heater core 63 is extremely small compared to the area of ​​the case 64 that is in contact with the air circulating inside. Therefore, vibrations of the cooler core 62 and heater core 63 do not need to be considered in relation to the generation of airborne noise.

[0050] [Other Embodiments] (1) In the above embodiments, a cooler core 62 and a heater core 63 were given as examples of heat exchange sections, but the invention is not limited to these. In addition to the cooler core 62 and heater core 63, for example, a PTC heater used for heating also performs heat exchange with the air circulating inside the case 64 of the HVAC unit 6 to heat the air, and is therefore also an example of a heat exchange section. The heat exchange section includes any element that has the function of cooling and / or heating the air by performing heat exchange with the air circulating inside the case 64 of the HVAC unit 6.

[0051] (2) In the above embodiment, the coolant manifold 7 was fixed to the vehicle body 8 using bushings 73, but the embodiment is not limited to this. Bushings 73 may be used to fix the HVAC unit 6 to the vehicle body 8 instead of, or together with, the coolant manifold 7.

[0052] (3) In the above embodiment, the first insulator 67 is placed around the periphery of the first opening 65 of the HVAC unit 6, and the second insulator 68 is placed around the second opening 66, but the configuration is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure the system to have only one insulator placed around the entire periphery of the first opening 65 and the second opening 66 combined.

[0053] (4) In the above embodiment, the cooler core 62 and the heater core 63 are inserted into the HVAC unit 6 from separate openings (first opening 65 and second opening 66). However, the cooler core 62 and the heater core 63 may also be inserted into the HVAC unit 6 from a single opening (for example, an opening formed by connecting the first opening 65 and the second opening 66).

[0054] (5) In the above embodiment, the flow rate and temperature of the coolant supplied to the cooler core 62 and the heater core 63 are adjusted to introduce air at a desired temperature into the passenger compartment 5. However, a so-called air mix door system may also be adopted, in which the amount of air passing from the cooler core 62 to the heater core 63 and the amount of air passing from the cooler core 62 to the branched passage are adjusted to introduce air at a desired temperature into the passenger compartment 5.

[0055] In the vehicle air conditioning system 1 described in the above-mentioned embodiment, the following configuration can be envisioned.

[0056] <1> The vehicle air conditioning system (1) comprises a cooling module (7) to which heat exchange sections (62, 63) are attached and integrated, and an air conditioning unit (6) that performs heat exchange with air in the heat exchange sections (62, 63) in order to provide heating and cooling in the passenger compartment (5). The air conditioning unit (6) has openings (65, 66), and the heat exchange sections (62, 63) are inserted into the interior of the air conditioning unit (6) from the openings (65, 66).

[0057] In the vehicle air conditioning system (1) according to this embodiment, the air conditioning unit (6) has openings (65, 66), and the heat exchange section, which is integrated with the cooling module (7), is inserted into the interior of the air conditioning unit (6) through the openings (65, 66). Therefore, it is possible to suppress the cooling liquid circulating inside the cooling module (7) from exchanging heat with the air before it reaches the heat exchange section (62, 63). As a result, sufficient heat exchange can be performed between the cooling liquid in the heat exchange section (62, 63) and the air circulating inside the air conditioning unit (6), thereby suppressing a decrease in the efficiency of heating and cooling inside the passenger compartment (5).

[0058] <2> In the vehicle air conditioning system (1) described in <1> above, the heat exchange section (62, 63) is preferably a cooler core (62) and a heater core (63).

[0059] According to this embodiment, heat exchange can be performed between the cooler core (62) and the heater core (63) and the air circulating inside the air conditioning unit (6) to provide heating and cooling to the vehicle compartment (5).

[0060] <3> In the vehicle air conditioning system (1) described in <2> above, it is preferable that the openings (65, 66) of the air conditioning unit (6) include a first opening (65) into which a cooler core (62) is inserted, and a second opening (66) which is formed separately from the first opening (65) into which a heater core (63) is inserted.

[0061] According to this embodiment, since the air conditioning unit (6) has a first opening (65) into which the cooler core (62) is inserted and a second opening (66) into which the heater core (63) is inserted separately, the total area of ​​the first opening (65) and the second opening (66) can be made smaller than the area of ​​the opening if the openings for inserting the cooler core (62) and the heater core (63) were combined into one. As a result, air circulating inside the air conditioning unit (6) is less likely to leak out from the first opening (65) and the second opening (66), further suppressing the decrease in the efficiency of heating and cooling inside the passenger compartment (5).

[0062] <4> In the vehicle air conditioning system (1) described in any one of <1> to <3> above, it is preferable that the openings (65, 66) are located downstream in the airflow direction from the blower (61) that takes in air from the outside.

[0063] According to this embodiment, since the openings (65, 66) are located downstream in the airflow direction from the blower (61) that takes in air from the outside, heat exchange can be performed between the coolant and the air circulating inside the air conditioning unit (6) in the heat exchange section (62, 63) inserted through the openings (65, 66), thereby enabling heating and cooling of the passenger compartment (5).

[0064] <5> In the vehicle air conditioning system (1) described in <1> above, it is preferable that either the cooling module (7) or the air conditioning unit (6) is arranged to be movable relative to the other.

[0065] In this embodiment, the cooling module (7) and the air conditioning unit (6) are not fixed to each other, and are configured so that one of them can move relative to the other. Therefore, even if vibration occurs in the cooling module (7), it is difficult for the vibration to propagate from the cooling module (7) to the air conditioning unit (6), and vibration of the air conditioning unit (6) is suppressed. As a result, vibration of the air circulating inside the air conditioning unit (6) that propagates from the air conditioning unit (6) is also suppressed, and airborne noise caused by air vibration is less likely to occur. Therefore, the risk of airborne noise propagating into the vehicle compartment (5) along with the air for heating and cooling and impairing the quietness of the vehicle compartment (5) is reduced.

[0066] <6> In the vehicle air conditioning system (1) described in <5> above, vibration propagation suppression members (67, 68) are arranged around the periphery of the openings (65, 66), and it is preferable that both the cooling module (7) and the air conditioning unit (6) are in contact with the vibration propagation suppression members (67, 68).

[0067] According to this embodiment, vibration propagation suppression members (67, 68) are arranged around the periphery of the openings (65, 66), and both the cooling module (7) and the air conditioning unit (6) are in contact with the vibration propagation suppression members (67, 68). Therefore, vibrations generated in the cooling module (7) are attenuated by the vibration propagation suppression members (67, 68). As a result, vibrations from the cooling module (7) are less likely to propagate to the air conditioning unit (6), and airborne noise is further reduced.

[0068] <7> In the vehicle air conditioning system (1) described in <6> above, the heat exchange section (62, 63) is a cooler core (62) and a heater core (63), and the openings (65, 66) of the air conditioning unit (6) have a first opening (65) into which the cooler core (62) is inserted and a second opening (66) which is formed separately from the first opening (65) into which the heater core (63) is inserted, and it is preferable that the vibration propagation suppression members (67, 68) are arranged on the periphery of the first opening (65) and the periphery of the second opening (66), respectively.

[0069] According to this embodiment, the openings (65, 66) of the air conditioning unit (6) include a first opening (65) into which the cooler core (62) is inserted, and a second opening (66) into which the heater core (63) is inserted. The vibration propagation suppression members (67, 68) are arranged on the periphery of the first opening (65) and the periphery of the second opening (66), respectively. As a result, the total area of ​​the first opening (65) and the second opening (66) facing the cooling module (7) is smaller than the area of ​​the opening if the openings for inserting the cooler core (62) and the heater core (63) were combined into one. Consequently, vibrations generated in the cooling module (7) are less likely to propagate from the first opening (65) and the second opening (66) into the air circulating inside the air conditioning unit (6). This further reduces the generation of airborne noise.

[0070] <8> In the vehicle air conditioning system (1) described in any one of <5> to <7> above, both the cooling module (7) and the air conditioning unit (6) are supported by the vehicle body (8), and it is preferable that either the cooling module (7) or the air conditioning unit (6) is supported so as to be movable relative to the vehicle body (8).

[0071] According to this embodiment, since either the cooling module (7) or the air conditioning unit (6) is supported so as to be movable relative to the vehicle body (8), vibrations generated in the cooling module (7) are less likely to be transmitted to the air conditioning unit (6) via the vehicle body (8), and airborne noise is further reduced.

[0072] This disclosure is applicable to vehicle air conditioning systems.

[0073] 1: Vehicle air conditioning system, 5: Passenger compartment, 6: HVAC unit (air conditioning unit), 7: Coolant manifold (cooling module), 8: Vehicle body, 61: Blower, 62: Cooler core (heat exchange section), 63: Heater core (heat exchange section), 65: First opening (opening), 66: Second opening (opening), 67: First insulator (vibration transmission suppression member), 68: Second insulator (vibration transmission suppression member)

Claims

1. A vehicle air conditioning system comprising: a cooling module to which a heat exchanger is attached and integrated; and an air conditioning unit that performs heat exchange with air in the heat exchanger for heating and cooling the interior of a vehicle, wherein the air conditioning unit has an opening, and the heat exchanger is inserted into the interior of the air conditioning unit through the opening.

2. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchange section comprises a cooler core and a heater core.

3. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 2, wherein the opening of the air conditioning unit has a first opening into which the cooler core is inserted, and a second opening formed separately from the first opening into which the heater core is inserted.

4. The vehicle air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the opening is located downstream in the airflow direction from the blower that takes in the air from the outside.

5. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein either the cooling module or the air conditioning unit is arranged to be movable relative to the other.

6. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 5, wherein a vibration propagation suppression member is arranged around the periphery of the opening, and both the cooling module and the air conditioning unit are in contact with the vibration propagation suppression member.

7. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 6, wherein the heat exchange section comprises a cooler core and a heater core, the opening of the air conditioning unit has a first opening into which the cooler core is inserted and a second opening formed separately from the first opening into which the heater core is inserted, and the vibration propagation suppression member is disposed on the periphery of the first opening and the periphery of the second opening, respectively.

8. The vehicle air conditioning system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein both the cooling module and the air conditioning unit are supported by the vehicle body, and either the cooling module or the air conditioning unit is supported so as to be movable relative to the vehicle body.

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