JP2007008221A - Air conditioner for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner for a vehicle capable of preventing leakage of condensed water from a coolant piping and an expansion valve and water from a through part even when the coolant piping and the expansion valve connected to a heat exchanger for cooling are provided out of a case. <P>SOLUTION: This air conditioner for the vehicle is furnished with the cases 11, 45, 46 arranged on the car room side of a bulkhead DP to separate an indoor and an outdoor of the car room from each other and forming a ventilating passage AP of blasting air, the heat exchanger 12 for cooling arranged in the case 11 and to cool the blasting air, the coolant piping 12H connected to the heat exchanger for cooling, the expansion valve 3 arranged on the through part K of the bulkhead and to connect the coolant piping indoor and outdoor of the car room and an expansion valve case 47 to block the through part of the bulkhead through a sealing member 48 so as to surround the expansion valve and the through part, the coolant piping is provided exposed to the outside of the case 11 in which the heat exchanger for cooling is arranged, and an area to fit on a wall of the expansion valve case 47 from the side of a heat exchanger for a coolant out of a part of a piping 121 to connect the heat exchanger for cooling and the expansion valve to each other is covered with a piping heat insulating protective member 122. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner, and includes, for example, a cooling heat exchanger built in a case that forms a ventilation passage to a passenger compartment, and a refrigerant pipe and an expansion valve connected to the cooling heat exchanger. It is suitable for an expansion valve and a refrigerant pipe arranged outside the case.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a vehicle air conditioner, a refrigerant pipe and an expansion valve are provided in a case so that condensed water generated by condensation on a cooling heat exchanger, a refrigerant pipe, and an expansion valve is not leaked into the vehicle interior. There is known a structure for discharging outside a passenger compartment through a discharge hole provided in the lower part of the case (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  Patent Document 2 discloses a technique in which the condensed water is not leaked into the vehicle interior in a structure in which the expansion valve is built in a case separated from the cooling heat exchanger. In this technique, the expansion valve is disposed between a through-hole of a vehicle body such as a dash panel and a case via a water seal member such as packing. The case portion that accommodates the expansion valve has a packing structure that prevents water from entering the case portion from the outside and discharges condensed water in the case portion to the outside of the passenger compartment.

In patent document 3, the technique which prevents the water leak by the capillary phenomenon from the mating surface of the case divided into 2 parts up and down is disclosed. In this technique, the cooling heat exchanger that causes condensed water is housed in the case, thereby preventing water leakage outside the case, that is, into the vehicle interior due to capillary action.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-96918 JP 2002-16544 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-32295

  In the prior arts disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is possible when the through-hole and the cooling heat exchanger are relatively close to each other, but the through-hole and the cooling heat exchanger are arranged far away due to vehicle layout restrictions. In many cases, the refrigerant pipe and the expansion valve cannot be accommodated in the case. If the technology of Patent Document 2 is applied to the above-described through-hole and cooling heat exchanger disposed far away, the number of parts and assembly man-hours for packing and grommet for preventing condensation and preventing water stoppage are increased. There is a problem of increasing costs.

  In addition, if the case is forcibly enclosed by the case, the case assembly structure is divided into upper and lower parts, and there is a risk of water leakage due to capillary action at the case mating surfaces. If it is going to apply the technique of patent document 2 to such a thing, it is necessary to accommodate all the heat exchanger for cooling of a condensed water generation factor, refrigerant | coolant piping, and an expansion valve in a case.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and the object thereof is to provide refrigerant piping and refrigerant piping connected to the cooling heat exchanger even when the expansion valve is provided outside the case. Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle air conditioner that prevents condensed water from an expansion valve and water from outside from a through portion from leaking into the vehicle compartment.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises the following technical means.

In the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the case (11, 45, 46) is provided on the vehicle compartment side of the partition wall (DP) separating the vehicle interior and the vehicle exterior and forms a ventilation passage (AP) for the blown air. And a cooling heat exchanger (12) that is disposed in the case (11) and cools the blown air, is connected to the cooling heat exchanger (12), and a refrigerant pipe (12H) through which the refrigerant flows, An expansion valve (3) that is disposed in the penetration portion (K) of the partition wall (DP) and connects the refrigerant pipe outside the vehicle compartment and the refrigerant pipe (12H) inside the vehicle compartment, and is formed outside the case (45), An expansion valve case (47) for closing the penetration part (K) of the partition wall (DP) with a seal member (48) so as to surround the expansion valve (3) and the penetration part (K);
The refrigerant pipe (12H) is provided so as to be exposed to the outside of the case (11) where the cooling heat exchanger (12) is arranged, and connects the cooling heat exchanger (12) and the expansion valve (3). (121) Of the portion, the range from the refrigerant heat exchanger (12) side to the expansion valve case (47) wall in which the expansion valve (3) is disposed is the pipe heat insulation protection member It is covered with (122).

  According to this, the expansion valve case (47) is formed outside the case (11, 45, 46) that forms the ventilation passage (AP) of the blown air, and the expansion valve (3) is placed in the expansion valve case (47). Is arranged. The inside of the expansion valve case (47) is closed via a seal member (48) so as to surround the expansion valve (3) and the through portion (K) of the partition wall (DP) that separates the interior of the vehicle from the outside of the passenger compartment. . Further, the refrigerant pipe (12H) is provided so as to be exposed to the outside of the case (11) where the cooling heat exchanger (12) is disposed, and is connected to the cooling heat exchanger (12) and the expansion valve (3). The range from the refrigerant heat exchanger (12) side to the pipe (121) connecting the pipes to the wall of the expansion valve case (47) is covered with the pipe heat insulating protection member (122). Yes.

  Accordingly, the refrigerant pipe (12H) can be hermetically held by the pipe heat insulating protection member (122) at the fitting portion with the expansion valve case (47), and is provided to be exposed outside the case (11). Since the section connected to the expansion valve case (47) from the heat exchanger (12) side is covered with the pipe heat insulating protection member (122), the refrigerant is contained inside the section outside the case in the vehicle interior. Condensation of the flowing refrigerant pipe (12H) does not occur. Further, even if condensation occurs on the expansion valve (3) and the refrigerant pipe (12H) in the expansion valve case, condensed water due to condensation can be drained from the through portion (K) to the outside of the passenger compartment.

  Therefore, it is possible to minimize the piping heat insulating protection member (122) for preventing the condensed water from leaking into the vehicle interior due to condensation, and the condensed water due to condensation generated in the expansion valve case (47) passes through the penetration portion (K). ) Is drained to the outside of the passenger compartment, so that there is no need to use an expensive sealing member such as a grommet for the expansion valve case (47).

  In particular, in the invention according to claim 2, the case (11, 45, 46) includes the air conditioning case (11) that houses the cooling heat exchanger (12) and the vehicle traveling direction side of the air conditioning case (11). And a blower case (45) that houses a blower (9) that generates a flow of blown air. The expansion case (47) is provided in the blower case (45). To do.

  Thereby, even if the arrangement of the expansion valve case (47) arranged on the penetrating part (K) side and the air conditioning case (11) containing the heat exchanger for cooling (12) is relatively far away, it is caused by condensation. The seal member (122) for preventing the condensed water from leaking into the passenger compartment can be minimized, and it is not necessary to use an expensive seal member such as a grommet for the expansion valve case (47).

In the invention according to claim 3, the case (11, 145, 46) has a split case (145a, 145b) that divides the expansion valve case (147a, 147b) into two, and the split case (145a, 145b). ) And the fitting surface (a) are integrally assembled,
The case (11, 145, 46) is formed with a separation space (147c) separating the external space (ES) in the expansion valve case (147a, 147b) and the space (RS) in the vehicle interior. And

  According to this, in the case where the expansion valve case is divided into two parts, for example, up and down by a split case having a fitting surface, and the fitting surfaces are combined and integrally assembled, the case (11, 145, 46), a separation space (147c) that separates the external space (ES) in the expansion valve case (147a, 147b) from the space (RS) in the vehicle compartment is preferably formed.

  Thus, even if the condensed water generated in the expansion valve case (147) may leak slightly into the separation space (147c) due to the capillary phenomenon at the mating surfaces, the vehicle is isolated in the separation space (147c). There is almost no possibility of leaking into the interior space (RS), and the leakage of condensed water into the vehicle interior space (RS) can be prevented.

  In particular, the invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that a plurality of separation spaces (147c) are formed, and any one of the separation spaces is an air passage (AP).

  Thereby, in order to prevent leakage of condensed water into the vehicle interior space (RS), the entire area around the expansion valve case (147b) disposed between the external space (ES) and the vehicle interior space (RS) is provided. Therefore, it is not necessary to newly provide the separation space (147c), and the case structure can be simplified.

  The ventilation passage (AP) has a discharge hole for discharging condensed water generated in, for example, a heat exchanger for cooling to the outside of the passenger compartment, and can be discharged from the discharge hole.

  In the invention according to claim 5, the case (145) has a wall portion (145c) that partitions the separation space (147c) and the ventilation passage (AP), and the wall portion (145c) includes a wall portion (145c). The separation space (147c) and the communication hole (145d) communicating with the ventilation passage (AP) are provided.

  According to this, the case (145) has a wall part (145c) that partitions the separation space (147c) and the ventilation passage (AP), and the wall part (145c) includes the separation space (147c) and the wall part (145c). It is preferable that a communication hole (145d) that communicates with the ventilation passage (AP) is provided.

  As a result, the condensed water generated in the expansion valve case (147) leaks into the separation space (147c) due to the capillary phenomenon on the mating surfaces, and may be stored in the separation space (147c). In addition, the air can be discharged to the ventilation passage (AP) through the communication hole (145d) communicating the separation space (147c) and the ventilation passage (AP). Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the condensed water generated in the expansion valve case (147) and the water entering from the outside from leaking into the vehicle interior space (RS) due to the capillary phenomenon at the mating surface.

In the inventions according to claims 6 to 7, the case (11, 145, which is disposed on the vehicle compartment side of the partition wall (DP) separating the vehicle interior from the vehicle interior and forms a ventilation passage (AP) for the blast air) 46), a cooling heat exchanger (12) arranged in the case (11) for cooling the blown air, and a refrigerant pipe (12H) connected to the cooling heat exchanger (12) through which the refrigerant flows. And an expansion valve (3) that is disposed in the penetrating part (K) of the partition wall (DP) and connects the refrigerant pipe outside the passenger compartment and the refrigerant pipe (12H) inside the passenger compartment, and is formed outside the case (145). An expansion valve case (147) that closes the penetration part (K) of the partition wall (DP) with a seal member (48) so as to surround the expansion valve (3) and the penetration part (K),
The case (11, 145, 46) has a divided case (145a, 145b) that divides the expansion valve case (147a, 147b) in two, and the fitting surface (a) of the divided case (145a, 145b) is matched. Assembled together,
The case (11, 145, 46) is formed with a separation space (147c) separating the external space (ES) in the expansion valve case (147a, 147b) and the space (RS) in the vehicle interior. And

  As a result, when the expansion valve case has a structure in which the expansion valve case is divided into two parts, for example, vertically, in a divided case having a fitting surface, and the fitting surfaces of each other are assembled together, the capillarity at the mating surface Even if the condensed water generated in the expansion valve case (147) may leak slightly to the separation space (147c), it may leak to the vehicle interior space (RS) isolated by the separation space (147c). It is possible to prevent the condensed water from leaking into the vehicle interior space (RS).

  In particular, in the invention according to claim 7, the case (145) has a wall portion (145c) that partitions the separation space (147c) and the ventilation passage (AP), and the wall portion (145c) The separation space (147c) and the communication hole (145d) communicating with the ventilation passage (AP) are provided.

  Thereby, it is possible to reliably prevent the condensed water generated in the expansion valve case (47) or water entering from the outside from leaking into the vehicle interior space (RS) due to the capillary phenomenon at the mating surface.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an arrow view showing the main structure of the vehicle air conditioner of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the vehicle air conditioner in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the vehicle air conditioner of the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, a two-dot chain line indicates a partition wall (dash panel) DP that separates the vehicle interior from the vehicle interior (engine room).

  First, the vehicle air conditioner will be described with reference to FIG. The ventilation system of the vehicle air conditioner according to the present embodiment includes a blower unit 4 and an air conditioning unit 10. The blower unit 4 is arranged offset from the central part to the passenger seat side in the lower part of the instrument panel in the passenger compartment. The air conditioning unit 10 is disposed at a substantially central portion in the vehicle left-right direction in the lower part of the instrument panel in the vehicle interior. The blower unit 4 is disposed so that the air conditioning unit 10 is connected to the side with respect to the vehicle traveling direction (see FIG. 1).

  The blower unit 4 includes an inside air intake port 5 for inhaling vehicle interior air, an outside air intake port 6 for inhaling vehicle interior air, and an inside / outside air switching door that selectively opens and closes these intake ports 5 and 6. 7. The inside / outside air switching door 7 is opened and closed by an actuator mechanism 8 such as a servo motor.

  A blower 9 including a centrifugal multiblade fan (hereinafter referred to as a sirocco fan) 9a and a motor 9b for driving the centrifugal multiblade fan 9a and a motor 9b for driving the centrifugal multiblade fan 9a are disposed on the downstream side of the suction port switching door 7. Air sucked from either one of the ports 5 and 6 is blown toward the air outlets 35 to 38.

  The air conditioning unit 10 is of a type in which a cooling heat exchanger (hereinafter referred to as an evaporator) 12 and a heating heat exchanger (hereinafter referred to as a heater core) 13 are integrally incorporated in one common air conditioning case 11. . Cases such as the air conditioning case 11 and the blower case 45 described later are formed of a resin molded product having a certain degree of elasticity and excellent strength, such as polypropylene.

  The air conditioning case 11 is specifically composed of a plurality of divided cases, and the plurality of divided cases are provided with metal springs (not shown) after housing the evaporator 12, the heater core 13, and the doors 16, 21, 27, 32, and the like. The air conditioning unit 10 is configured by being integrally coupled by fastening means such as clips and screws. The air conditioning unit 10 is arranged in the form shown in FIG. 1 with respect to the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction of the vehicle. An air inlet 14 is formed on a side surface of the air-conditioning case 11 which is the frontmost part of the vehicle.

  Air blown from the blower unit 4 flows into the air inlet 14. And the evaporator 12 is arrange | positioned in the site | part just after the air inlet 14 in the air-conditioning case 11. FIG. The evaporator 12 has a thin shape in the vehicle front-rear direction and is arranged in the vertical direction so as to cross the ventilation passage in the air conditioning case 11. Accordingly, the blown air from the air inlet 14 flows into the front surface of the evaporator 12 extending in the vehicle vertical direction.

  The evaporator 12 is connected with a refrigerant compressor (hereinafter referred to as a compressor) 1, a refrigerant condenser (hereinafter referred to as a condenser) 2 and an expansion valve 3 through a refrigerant pipe 12 </ b> H to constitute a refrigeration cycle R. The compressor 1 is connected to an unillustrated vehicle engine (hereinafter referred to as an engine) via an electromagnetic clutch 1a, and is ON / OFF controlled by connecting and disconnecting the electromagnetic clutch 1a. As is well known, the evaporator 12 absorbs the latent heat of evaporation of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle R from the air (air conditioning air) and cools the air conditioning air.

  The condensed water generated in the evaporator 12 is collected along the air flow at the inclined lower end portion on the downstream side of the air, and the discharge hole 11d for smoothly discharging the condensed water downward (outside the passenger compartment) by the inclined lower end portion, The air conditioning case 11 is provided.

  A heater core 13 is disposed at a predetermined interval on the downstream side (vehicle rear side) of the air flow of the evaporator 12. The heater core 13 is disposed on the lower side in the air conditioning case 11 so as to be inclined toward the vehicle rear side.

  The heater core 13 reheats the cold air that has passed through the evaporator 12, and hot water (engine cooling water) flows through the heater core 13 to heat the air using the hot water as a heat source. In the ventilation passage in the air conditioning case 11, a front-seat cold air bypass passage 15 that bypasses the heater core 13 and flows air (cold air) is formed above the heater core 13.

  A flat air-seat door 16 for the front seat is disposed between the heater core 13 and the evaporator 12. The front seat air mix door 16 adjusts the amount of air that passes through the heater core 13 and becomes warm air, and the amount of cool air that bypasses the heater core 13 through the front seat cold air bypass passage 15. -The temperature of the air blown toward the front seat of the passenger compartment is adjusted by adjusting the air volume ratio of warm air. The front seat air mix door 16 is integrally coupled to a rotation shaft arranged in the horizontal direction (vehicle width direction), and is rotatable in the vehicle vertical direction around the rotation shaft. The rotating shaft is rotatably supported by the air conditioning case 11, and one end of the rotating shaft protrudes outside the air conditioning case 11, and is connected to an actuator mechanism 17 using a servo motor or the like via a link mechanism (not shown). The actuator mechanism 17 is connected to adjust the rotational position of the front seat air mix door 16.

  On the other hand, in the air conditioning case 11, a wall surface 18 that extends in the vertical direction with a predetermined interval from the heater core 13 is formed integrally with the air conditioning case 11 at a portion of the heater core 13 on the air downstream side (vehicle rear side). Yes. The wall surface 18 forms a warm air passage 19 that extends upward and downward immediately after the heater core 13 (on the downstream side of the air). The upper side of the warm air passage 19 is a front seat temperature for supplying warm air to the front seat side. A wind passage 19a is formed on the lower side, and a rear-seat warm air passage 30 for supplying warm air to the rear seat side. The front-seat warm air passage 19a merges with the downstream side of the front-seat cold air bypass passage 15 in the upper part of the heater core 13 to form a front-seat air mixing unit 20 that mixes cold air and hot air.

  A defroster opening 21 into which the air-conditioned air whose temperature is controlled by the front seat air mixing unit 20 flows in a portion near the front of the vehicle on the upper surface of the air-conditioning case 11. The defroster opening 21 is connected to a defroster outlet 35 via a defroster duct 39, and blows wind from the defroster outlet 35 toward the inner surface of the vehicle front window glass. The defroster opening 21 is opened and closed by a flat air outlet opening / closing means (hereinafter referred to as defroster door) 22. The defroster door 22 is rotated by a rotating shaft 23 arranged in the horizontal direction in the vicinity of the upper surface of the air conditioning case 11, and opens and closes the defroster opening 21 and the communication port 24. The communication port 24 serves as a passage for flowing the conditioned air from the air mixing unit 20 to the front seat face opening 25 and the front seat foot opening 26 side.

  In addition, a front seat face opening 25 is provided on the upper surface of the air-conditioning case 11 at a position on the vehicle rear side (close to the occupant) with respect to the defroster opening 21. The front seat face opening 25 is connected to the front seat face air outlet 36 disposed on the upper side of the instrument panel via the front seat face duct 40, and from the front seat face air outlet 36 to the front of the vehicle interior. Blows the wind toward the head of the passenger.

  In the air conditioning case 11, a front seat foot opening 26 is provided below the front seat face opening 25. The front seat foot openings 26 are opened on the left and right side surfaces of the air conditioning case 11, and the front seat is operated via the front seat foot ducts 41 (represented as one in the drawing for convenience). It is connected to a front-seat foot outlet 37 disposed at the passenger's feet on the seat side and the passenger's side, and wind is passed from the front-seat foot outlet 37 to the driver's seat on the front seat and the passenger's feet on the passenger's side. Blow out.

  A flat air outlet opening / closing means (hereinafter referred to as a face / foot door) 27 is disposed between the openings 25 and 26 so as to be rotatable by a rotating shaft 28. The face / foot door 27 opens the front seat face opening. The portion 25 and the entrance 26a of the front seat foot opening 26 are switched open and closed.

  Here, the defroster door 22 and the face / foot door 27 are front-seat blow mode switching means, and the rotation shafts 23 and 28 are blower mode switch actuator mechanisms such as a servo motor via a link mechanism (not shown). The doors 22 and 27 are linked to each other by the actuator mechanism 43.

  Next, in the air conditioning case 11, a rear seat cold air bypass passage 29 is formed in the lower portion of the heater core 13 to allow the cold air from the evaporator 12 outlet to pass through the heater core 13. A flat air outlet opening / closing means (hereinafter referred to as a rear seat air mix door) 31 is rotatably disposed on a rotating shaft at a junction of the rear seat hot air passage 30 and the rear seat cold air bypass passage 29. . The rear seat air mix door 31 adjusts the air volume ratio between the hot air from the rear seat hot air passage 30 and the cold air from the rear seat cold air bypass passage 29 to adjust the temperature of the air blown to the rear seat side of the vehicle interior. To make adjustments. The rotating shaft of the rear seat air mix door 31 is disposed in the horizontal direction (vehicle width direction), and one end thereof projects outside the air-conditioning case 11 and is independently connected using a servo motor or the like via a link mechanism (not shown). The actuator mechanism 32 is connected to adjust the rotational position of the rear seat air mix door 35.

  The warm air from the rear-seat warm air passage 30 and the cool air from the rear-seat cold air bypass passage 29 are mixed in the rear-seat air mixing unit 33 to become air of a desired temperature. The air of the desired temperature mixed in the rear seat air mixing section 33 flows toward the downstream side (rear side of the vehicle) and passes through the rear seat outlet opening 34 and the rear seat duct 42 to the rear seat face. Or it blows out from the blower outlet 38 of the foot toward the head side or the foot side of the rear seat occupant.

  The air-conditioning control means (hereinafter referred to as air-conditioning control device) 44 is composed of a microcomputer or the like. When the vehicle key switch is turned on, power is supplied from the in-vehicle battery to start, and a known sensor group is used. Sensor signals, front seat air conditioning operation panel installed in the instrument panel in front of the vehicle interior, and operation signals from the rear seat air conditioning operation panel installed in the vehicle rear seat side are input, and the compressor 1 and the blower Various air conditioners equipped in the unit 4 and the air conditioning unit 10 are controlled in accordance with a preset program.

  The vehicle air conditioner 10 having the above-described configuration controls the operation positions (rotation positions) of the front seat air mix door 16 and the rear seat air mix door 31, respectively. The air temperature can be controlled independently. Further, by selecting the operation positions of the defroster door 22 and the face / foot door 27 for switching the blowing mode, the blowing modes such as the face blowing mode, the bi-level blowing mode, the foot blowing mode, the foot differential blowing mode, and the defroster blowing mode are selected. Can be set. The vehicle air conditioner 10 is automatically controlled by the air conditioning controller 44.

  Next, the main structure of the vehicle air conditioner of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, an engine is installed in the engine room ES, and air conditioning is performed in the vehicle interior (specifically, substantially in the vehicle width direction on the front side of the vehicle interior) via the engine and the dash panel DP. A unit 10 is attached. The air blower unit 4 is attached offset from the air conditioning unit 10 to the passenger seat side, and is connected to the side of the air conditioning unit 10.

  In the present embodiment, a connection duct 46 is provided as a connection portion case between the air conditioning unit 10 and the blower unit 4. Here, the blower case 45, the connection duct 46, and the air conditioning case 11 constitute a case (hereinafter referred to as a ventilation case) that forms a ventilation passage AP for the blown air.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerant pipe 12 </ b> H connected to the side surface of the evaporator 12 is routed outside the air-conditioning case 11, and the tip (other end) side of the blower unit 4 avoids the engine in the engine room. It extends to the through-hole portion K of the dash panel DP formed near the vehicle front side.

  An expansion valve 3 is disposed in the through-hole K of the dash panel DP, and a refrigerant pipe (in FIG. 4) is connected to the refrigerant pipe 12H and the compressor 1 and the condenser 2 in the engine room RS. The pipe indicated by a two-dot chain line) 12H is connected.

  The expansion valve 3 decompresses and expands a high-pressure liquid refrigerant (hereinafter referred to as a high-pressure side refrigerant) from the condenser 2 to the evaporator 12, and includes a temperature sensing cylinder (not shown) in which saturated vapor gas is sealed, It has a diaphragm 3a that is displaced according to pressure fluctuations in the warm cylinder and a flow rate metering mechanism. The diaphragm 3a and the flow rate adjustment mechanism are configured to change the flow rate of a low-pressure liquid refrigerant (hereinafter referred to as a low-pressure side refrigerant) from the evaporator 12 toward the condenser 2 at a low-pressure gas refrigerant (hereinafter referred to as low-pressure) at an appropriate degree of heating at the outlet of the evaporator 12. (Refrigerant).

  The blower case 45 is formed with an expansion valve case 47 disposed on the outer side (vehicle interior side) so as to face the through-hole K serving as the opening of the dash panel DP. The internal space of the expansion valve case 47 is partitioned by a wall from the ventilation passage AP in the blower case 45 and communicates with the engine room ES through the through portion K. The expansion valve case 47 is configured to contact the dash panel DP via a seal member (hereinafter referred to as a vehicle seal packing) 48 when mounted on the vehicle, thereby preventing communication between the engine room ES and the vehicle interior RS. is doing. The vehicular seal packing 48 is made of a water sealing material such as a rubber material such as ethylene / propylene rubber (EPDM).

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the refrigerant pipe 12 </ b> H includes an aluminum pipe 121 and is exposed to the outside of the air conditioning case 11 where the evaporator 12 is disposed. This refrigerant pipe 12H has a pipe insulation protection member (hereinafter referred to as pipe insulator) 122 in a range from the evaporator 12 side to the expansion valve case 47 in the pipe 121 part connecting the evaporator 12 and the expansion valve 2. Covered with. Thereby, the fitting part KH of the expansion valve case 47 and the refrigerant pipe 12H can be fitted by the pipe insulator 122 and can be kept airtight.

  The pipe insulator 122 may be any rubber material such as ethylene / propylene rubber (EPDM) as long as it can prevent condensation by covering the surface where condensed water is generated. In this example, a rubber material such as ethylene / propylene rubber (EPDM) is formed by continuously extruding a long foamed tube having a circular cross section, and the tube is cut to a desired length. A lubricant or air is used to cover the pipe 121 from one end using the elongation of the material.

  Here, the pipe insulator 122 forms a seal member for preventing condensation. Further, in the refrigerant pipe 12H portion connecting the evaporator 12 and the expansion valve 2, the range from the evaporator 12 side to fitting into the expansion valve case 47 is a ventilation case (specifically, in this embodiment, the air conditioning case 11, From the evaporator 12 side to the fitting portion KH fitted to the wall of the expansion valve case 47 so as to be connected to the expansion valve case 47. It is a section.

  Thereby, in the refrigerant | coolant piping 12H part connected to the expansion valve 3 from the evaporator 12, it exposes and is provided in the outer side (specifically vehicle interior RS) of the ventilation case (air-conditioning case 11, air blower case 45), and the expansion valve is provided from the evaporator 12 side. Since the part connected to the case 47 is covered with the pipe insulator 122, no condensation occurs. The refrigerant pipe 12H and the expansion valve 3 excluding the fitting portion KH in the expansion valve case 47 are condensed, but the condensed water is discharged from the through portion K to the outside of the vehicle compartment (engine room) ES. Therefore, since the refrigerant piping 12H portion excluding the fitting portion KH in the expansion valve 3 and the expansion valve case 47 does not need to be covered with the pipe insulator 122, the range in which the seal member for preventing condensation can be used can be limited. Can be minimized.

  Next, functions and effects of the present embodiment will be described. (1) The expansion valve 3 is disposed inside the ventilation cases 11, 45, and 46 (specifically, the blower case 45) that forms the ventilation passage AP of the blown air. An expansion valve case 47 is formed. The inside of the expansion valve case 47 is closed by contacting the dash panel DP via the vehicle seal packing 48 so as to surround the expansion valve 3 and the penetration portion K. Further, the refrigerant pipe 12H is provided to be exposed outside the air conditioning case in the refrigerant pipe 12H portion connecting the evaporator 12 and the expansion valve 3, and is fitted to the wall of the expansion valve case 47 from the evaporator 12 side. The pipe insulator 122 covers the section up to the fitting section KH.

  As a result, the refrigerant pipe 12H can hold the fitting portion KH with the expansion valve case 47 in an airtight manner by the pipe insulator 122 and is exposed to the outside from the air conditioning case 11, and the expansion valve case 47 is provided from the evaporator 12 side. Since it is covered with the section pipe insulator 122 connected to, dew condensation does not occur in the section outside the case in the vehicle interior. Further, even if the refrigerant pipe 12 and the expansion valve 3 except for the fitting portion KH in the expansion valve case cause condensation, condensed water due to condensation can be drained from the through portion K to the outside of the vehicle compartment. As a result, the refrigerant pipe 12H portion excluding the fitting portion KH in the expansion valve 3 and the expansion valve case 47 does not need to be covered with a seal member that protects against heat. Can be limited and minimized.

  Therefore, the use of the pipe insulator 122 for preventing the condensed water from leaking into the vehicle interior RS due to condensation can be minimized, and the condensed water generated in the expansion valve 3 and the like in the expansion valve case 47 can pass through the through portion K. Therefore, it is not necessary to use an expensive sealing member such as a grommet for the expansion valve case 47.

  (2) In the present embodiment, the ventilation cases 11, 45, 46 are connected to the air conditioning case 11 incorporating the evaporator 12, and the blower case 45 incorporating the blower 9 connected to the side of the air conditioning case 11 in the vehicle traveling direction. And an expansion valve case 47 is provided in the blower case 45.

  Thereby, even when the arrangement of the expansion valve case 47 arranged on the penetrating portion K side and the air conditioning case 11 containing the evaporator 12 is relatively far from each other, the condensed water is prevented from leaking into the vehicle interior due to condensation. Therefore, it is not necessary to use an expensive sealing member such as a grommet for the expansion valve case 47.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, other embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described. In the following embodiments, the same or equivalent components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the expansion valve case 147 has a case structure that is vertically divided. FIG. 4 is an arrow view showing the main structure of the vehicle air conditioner of this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the vehicle air conditioner in FIG. In FIG. 4, the dividing line a indicates a mating portion (mating surface) between the first divided case and the second divided case that are divided into two.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the ventilation cases 11, 145, 46 have divided cases 145 a, 145 b that divide the expansion valve case 147 into two parts. The divided cases 145a and 145b are divided in the vertical direction along the dividing line shown in FIG. 4, and each of the first divided case 145a and the second divided case 145b has a mating surface (fitting surface) a. .

  The expansion valve case 147 includes a first divided expansion valve case 147a and a second divided expansion valve case 147b. The first divided expansion valve case 147a and the second divided expansion valve case 147b are respectively divided into a first divided case 145a and a second divided expansion valve case 147b. It is formed outside the second divided case 145b. These divided cases 145a, 147a, 145b, and 147b have a structure in which the fitting surfaces a are aligned and assembled together.

  Hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity, the second divided case 145b and the second divided expansion valve case 147b among the divided cases will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the second divided case 145b forms a separation space 147c in the wall of the second divided expansion valve case 147b. The separation space 147c is arranged so as to separate the internal space where the expansion valve 3 in the second divisional expansion valve case 147b and the vehicle interior RS are separated from each other when the divisional case is assembled together.

  The separation space is not limited to the separation space 147c formed in the wall of the second divided expansion valve case 147b, but separates the internal space where the expansion valve 3 is located in the expansion valve case 147 from the vehicle interior RS. The ventilation path AP in the ventilation cases 11, 145, 46 (specifically, the blower case 145 in this embodiment) may be used. In this embodiment, as a method of forming a separation space arranged so as to separate the internal space where the expansion valve 3 in the expansion valve case 147 is located and the vehicle interior RS, among a plurality (three in this embodiment) One substitutes the ventilation passage AP.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the wall of the second divided case 145b has a wall portion 145c that partitions the separation space 147c and the ventilation passage AP, and the separation space 147c and the ventilation passage AP are provided on the wall portion 145c. A communication hole 145d that communicates is formed. The communication hole 145d may be provided only in the second divided case 145b, or may be provided in the first divided case 145a and the second divided case 145b. Furthermore, you may provide only in the 1st division | segmentation case 145a.

  In the present embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the refrigerant pipe 12H holds the fitting portion KH with the expansion valve case 147 in an airtight manner by the pipe insulator 122 and is exposed to the outside from the air conditioning case 11. The section connected to the expansion valve case 147 from the evaporator 12 side is covered with a pipe insulator 122.

  Here, the ventilation passage AP constitutes a separation space described in the claims.

Next, the operational effects of the present embodiment will be described. (1) The ventilation cases 11, 45, 46 have divided cases 145a, 145b that divide the expansion valve case 147 into two parts, and the divided cases 145a, 145b are fitted together Assembling together with the surface a, a blower case 145 is formed,
The blower case 145 is formed with a separation space 147c that separates the internal space where the expansion valve 3 in the expansion valve case 147 is located from the vehicle interior RS.

  When the expansion valve case is divided into two parts in the vertical direction, for example in a split case having a fitting surface, and the fitting surfaces are combined and assembled together, the expansion valve case is formed by capillary action on the mating surface. Condensed water generated in the expansion valve 3 inside may leak out.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the internal space where the expansion valve 3 in the expansion valve case 147 is located and the vehicle interior RS are separated by the separation space 147c, the condensation generated in the expansion valve 3 in the expansion valve case 147. Even if water may slightly leak into the separation space 147c, there is almost no possibility of leakage into the vehicle interior space RS, and leakage of condensed water into the vehicle interior space RS can be prevented.

  (2) In this embodiment, a plurality of separation spaces (three in this embodiment) are provided so as to separate the internal space in which the expansion valve 3 is located in the expansion valve case 147 from the vehicle interior RS. One of them substitutes the ventilation passage AP.

  Accordingly, in order to prevent the condensate from leaking into the vehicle interior space RS, the separation space is provided around the expansion valve case 147 disposed between the vehicle exterior space (engine room) ES and the vehicle interior space RS. There is no need to newly provide the case structure, and the case structure can be simplified.

  The ventilation passage AP has a discharge hole 11d for discharging condensed water generated in the evaporator 12 and the like to the outside of the passenger compartment (see FIG. 3), and can be discharged from the discharge hole 11d.

  (3) The wall of the blower case 145 has a wall portion 145c that partitions the separation space 147c and the ventilation passage AP, and a communication hole 145d that connects the separation space 147c and the ventilation passage AP is formed in the wall portion 145c. Is formed.

  As a result, even if the condensed water generated in the expansion valve case 147 leaks into the separation space 147c due to the capillary phenomenon at the mating surface a, the separation space 147c may be stored in the separation space 147c. From the communication hole 145d communicating with the air passage AP, the air can be discharged to the air passage AP. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the condensed water generated in the expansion valve case 147 or the water entering from the outside from leaking into the vehicle interior space RS due to the capillary phenomenon at the mating surface a.

(Other embodiments)
In the present embodiment, the expansion valve cases 47 and 147 are described as being provided outside the blower case 45, but the expansion valve cases 47 and 147 may be provided not only outside the blower case 45 but also in the connection duct 46.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, The connection duct 47 does not necessarily need to comprise, and the connection part of the air conditioning unit 10 and the air blower unit 4 is the air conditioning case 11 or the air blower case 45. It may be integrated.

It is an arrow line view which shows the main structures of the vehicle air conditioner of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the vehicle air conditioner in FIG. It is a typical sectional view showing the whole vehicle air-conditioner composition of a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is an arrow line view which shows the main structures of the vehicle air conditioner of 2nd Embodiment. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the vehicle air conditioner in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

4 Blower unit 5 Inside air inlet 6 Outside air inlet 9 Blower 10 Air conditioning unit 11 Air conditioning case 12 Evaporator (cooling heat exchanger)
12H Refrigerant piping 45 Blower case 46 Connection duct 47 Case part 48 Dash seal packing (seal member)
121 Piping 122 Pipe Insulator (Pipe Insulation Protection Member)
AP Ventilation passage DP Dash panel K Penetration (opening)

Claims (7)

A case (11, 45, 46) which is disposed on the vehicle compartment side of the partition wall (DP) separating the vehicle interior and the vehicle exterior and forms a ventilation passage (AP) for blown air;
A cooling heat exchanger (12) disposed in the case (11) for cooling the blown air;
A refrigerant pipe (12H) connected to the cooling heat exchanger (12) and through which the refrigerant flows;
An expansion valve (3) disposed in the penetrating portion (K) of the partition wall (DP) and connecting the refrigerant pipe outside the vehicle compartment and the refrigerant pipe (12H) inside the vehicle compartment;
The penetration part (K) of the partition wall (DP) is formed through a seal member (48) so as to be formed outside the case (45) and surround the expansion valve (3) and the penetration part (K). An expansion valve case (47) for closing,
The refrigerant pipe (12H) is provided to be exposed to the outside of the case (11) where the cooling heat exchanger (12) is disposed,
The expansion valve (3) is arranged inside the pipe (121) connecting the heat exchanger for cooling (12) and the expansion valve (3) from the refrigerant heat exchanger (12) side. The vehicle air conditioner is covered with a pipe heat insulating protection member (122) in a range until it is fitted to the wall of the expansion valve case (47). The case (11, 45, 46) is connected to an air conditioning case (11) that houses the cooling heat exchanger (12) and a side of the air conditioning case (11) in the vehicle traveling direction, and the air blowing A blower case (45) that houses a blower (9) that generates a flow of air,
The air conditioner for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the expansion valve case (47) is provided in the blower case (45). The case (11, 145, 46) has a split case (145a, 145b) that bisects the expansion valve case (147a, 147b), and a fitting surface (a) of the split case (145a, 145b). Are combined and integrated,
A separation space (147c) is formed in the case (11, 145, 46) to separate the external space (ES) in the expansion valve case (147a, 147b) from the space (RS) in the vehicle interior. The vehicular air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2. The separation space (147c) is formed of a plurality of pieces,
The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein any one of the separation spaces is the ventilation passage (AP). The case (145) has a wall (145c) that partitions the separation space (147c) and the ventilation passage (AP),
The said wall part (145c) is provided with the communicating hole (145d) which connects the said separation space (147c) and the said ventilation | gas_flowing path (AP), The Claim 3 or Claim 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. Vehicle air conditioner. A case (11, 145, 46) which is disposed on the vehicle compartment side of the partition wall (DP) separating the vehicle interior and the vehicle interior and forms a ventilation passage (AP) for blown air;
A cooling heat exchanger (12) disposed in the case (11) for cooling the blown air;
A refrigerant pipe (12H) connected to the cooling heat exchanger (12) and through which the refrigerant flows;
An expansion valve (3) disposed in the penetrating portion (K) of the partition wall (DP) and connecting the refrigerant pipe outside the vehicle compartment and the refrigerant pipe (12H) inside the vehicle compartment;
The penetrating portion (K) of the partition wall (DP) is formed through a seal member (48) so as to be formed outside the case (145) and surround the expansion valve (3) and the penetrating portion (K). An expansion valve case (147) for closing,
The case (11, 145, 46) has a split case (145a, 145b) that bisects the expansion valve case (147a, 147b), and a fitting surface (a) of the split case (145a, 145b). Are combined and integrated,
A separation space (147c) is formed in the case (11, 145, 46) to separate the external space (ES) in the expansion valve case (147a, 147b) from the space (RS) in the vehicle interior. A vehicle air conditioner characterized by the above. The case (145) has a wall (145c) that partitions the separation space (147c) and the ventilation passage (AP),
The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the wall (145c) is provided with a communication hole (145d) communicating with the separation space (147c) and the ventilation passage (AP). apparatus.

Images