JP2007313964A - Air-conditioning unit for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively use an electric heater when a part of an air flow passage is branched to a plurality of branch passages and the electric heater is mounted on the branch passage. <P>SOLUTION: The air flow passage 5 formed in an air-conditioning case 4 is divided to a driver's seat side branch passage 7 and a front passenger seat side branch passage 8 in a downstream side than an evaporator 11. The electric heaters 34, 35 are separately mounted on the driver's seat side branch passage 7 and the front passenger seat side branch passage 8. The electric heater 34 and the electric heater 35 can be separately controlled. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioning unit mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, for example, in which a relatively downstream side of an air flow path is divided into a plurality of air shunt paths, and in particular, an electric heater on the shunt flow path side. For those equipped with

  As a conventional air conditioning unit, two or more air conditioning zones can be independently air-conditioned when mounted on a vehicle, and the first shunt and the second shunt are provided downstream of the evaporator. For example, air can be supplied to these shunts from a common blower, and a common heater core, first and second air mix doors, and first and second defrost doors in each shunt A configuration in which the first and second vent doors and the first and second foot doors are arranged is already known (see, for example, FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1 in particular). In addition, a vehicle air conditioning control device including a PTC heater on the downstream side of the heater core is already known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

The air conditioning case internal passage is divided into a first air passage on the inside air side and a second air passage on the outside air side so as to be able to set a two-layer flow mode between the inside and outside air and located on the downstream side of the heater core. A vehicular air conditioner in which an auxiliary heating device is disposed across both the first air passage and the second air passage is already known (see, for example, Patent Document 3). And according to this patent document 3, it is described that it is preferable to comprise an auxiliary heating apparatus with an auxiliary electric heater, especially a PTC heater.
JP 2000-94928 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-157444 JP-A-10-324145

  However, when a single PTC heater is used as the heating element as the auxiliary heating device of Patent Document 3, the density of the heating elements of the PTC heater varies, and as a result, the first air is energized with the same power. Since the heat generating element density is relatively high on the flow path side, the temperature is increased to 80 degrees, and on the second air flow path side, the heat generating element density is relatively low, so that the temperature is increased only to 60 degrees. For this reason, if the PTC heater composed of a single heating element is disposed across the two air flow paths, for example, both the driver seat side and the passenger seat side are set in the same foot mode. First, a difference occurs in the heating of the air passing through the PTC heater, resulting in a problem that a difference occurs in the blown air temperature. In order to solve such a problem, the heating elements of the PTC heater may be equalized on the first air flow path side and the second air flow path side, but the manufacturing process of the PTC heater becomes complicated and the manufacturing cost of the PTC increases. Inconvenience of inviting.

  In addition, when the air mix door is set to the full cool position only in the first ventilation path and the second ventilation path, for example, it is not necessary to heat the passing air by the electric heater. In the first ventilation path, it is desirable to stop the operation without energizing, but in the first ventilation path, it is necessary to heat the passing air in order to supply warm air, so the electric heater is connected to the second ventilation side. In this relationship, there is a problem that the operation is wasted and power is consumed more than necessary power consumption.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an air conditioning unit for a vehicle in which an air flow path is divided into a plurality of branch flow paths, and an electric heater, particularly a PTC heater, can be effectively used in the branch flow paths. The purpose is to provide.

  An air conditioning unit for a vehicle according to the present invention includes an air conditioning case in which an air flow path is formed. The air flow path stores temperature control means such as a cooler and is at least more than the cooler. In a vehicle air conditioner partitioned into a plurality of branch passages by a partitioning portion on the downstream side, a separately controllable electric heater is housed for each of the branch passages (Claim 1). This eliminates the need to strictly manage the difference in the density of the heating elements for each electric heater. Further, by making it possible to control the electric heater independently, it is possible to stop the operation of one electric heater to stop its operation and to operate only the other electric heater.

  The vehicle air-conditioning unit according to the present invention includes an air-conditioning case in which an air flow path is formed. The air flow path stores temperature control means such as a cooler, and at least the cooler. In an air conditioner for a vehicle that is partitioned into a plurality of branch channels by a partitioning portion on the downstream side, an electric heater is housed in the air conditioning case in a manner that intersects with the plurality of branch channels. The heating element can be independently controlled for each part located in the branch flow path. Thereby, even if the electric heater is single, it is not necessary to strictly manage the difference in the density of the heating elements for each heating element. It is also possible to stop energization of one heating element and generate heat by energizing only the other heating element.

  Here, in the vehicle air conditioning unit according to claim 1, a through hole into which the electric heater is inserted is formed on the outer surface of the branch flow path, and the electric heater is positioned at a portion facing the through hole. The guide part to perform is formed in the said partition part (Claim 3). This facilitates positioning when the electric heater is installed in the air conditioning case, and simplifies the assembly work of the electric heater.

  Moreover, in the vehicle air conditioning unit according to claim 2, a through-hole into which the electric heater is inserted is formed in each of the outer side surface of the branch flow path and the partition portion, and the partition portion of the electric heater is inserted when the electric heater is inserted. A cover member is provided at a portion located in the through hole, and the space between the partition portion and the through hole is sealed by the cover member. Thereby, an unnecessary mixed flow of air between adjacent branch channels can be prevented.

  Furthermore, a hot water heater core may be housed on the windward side of the electric heater with respect to the air conditioning case. Thereby, the electric heater can be used as an auxiliary heating means. On the other hand, it is possible to eliminate the need for the hot water heater core, and thus it can be mounted as a vehicle air conditioning unit for an electric vehicle.

  The electric heater may be a PTC heater. In the case of the PTC heater, in order to secure a volume that does not increase the density of the heat generating elements and does not generate a ventilation resistance, a dummy element that has electrical conductivity but does not generate heat may be provided.

  According to these inventions, when an electric heater is a PTC heater by arranging a plurality of electric heaters or heating elements of the electric heaters in the respective flow paths, the heating element density of one PTC heater or the heating element is different. Therefore, the temperature of one PTC heater or heating element rises to 80 ° C. and the other PTC heater or heating element does not exceed the heating element density of the PTC heater or heating element. Since the heating element rises only up to 60 degrees, it is possible to prevent a difference in heating of the passing air and a difference in the blown air.

  Further, according to these inventions, in the branch flow path in which the air mix door is set to the full cool position, the operation is stopped by stopping energization of the electric heater or the heating element of the electric heater in that flow path. Therefore, useless use of the electric heater can be avoided, and power consumption can be reduced. Furthermore, since it is possible to eliminate the need for a hot water heater core, it can also be used as an air conditioning unit for an electric vehicle.

  In particular, according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to facilitate positioning when the electric heater is mounted in the air conditioning case, and it is possible to simplify the assembly work of the electric heater. In particular, according to the invention described in claim 4, since the cover member attached to the electric heater is mounted so as to fill the gap with the partition portion, it is possible to prevent the mixed flow of air between the adjacent branch channels. Can do. Furthermore, in particular, according to the invention described in claim 5, the electric heater can be used as auxiliary heating means.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1, 2, and 3, the air conditioning control is independently performed on the right seat side air conditioning zone (driver seat side air conditioning zone) and the left seat side air conditioning zone (passenger seat side air conditioning zone) mounted in the vehicle. A first embodiment of an air conditioning unit 1 having two air conditioning systems is shown. The air conditioning unit 1 includes a blower unit portion 2 and a temperature control unit portion 3.

  In the air conditioning unit 1, an air flow path 5 is defined inside the air conditioning case 4, and the air flow path 5 extends along the air flow path 5 on the downstream side of an evaporator 11 described later. By partitioning with the extending partitioning section 6, the driver's seat side branch channel 7 and the passenger seat side branch channel 8 are defined, and these branch channels 7, 8 are completely independent passages.

  The blower unit 2 is housed so that the blower 9 is on the most upstream side of the air flow path 5 in the scroll case 4 </ b> A of the air conditioning case 4. The scroll case 4A is opposed to a suction port (not shown) of the blower 9 and has a suction port 10 formed with a bell mouth on the periphery thereof. An intake box (not shown) is provided on the suction port 10 side in the axial direction of the blower 9. Has been placed. Inside and outside air inlets (not shown) are appropriately opened in the intake box. And although this blower unit part 2 is not shown in figure, the inside-and-outside air switching door for adjusting the opening degree of each inside-and-outside air introduction port suitably according to each mode of fresh mode and inside-air circulation mode is, for example, an outside-air introduction port. It is accommodated in the intake box so as to be rotatable at a boundary portion with the inside air introduction port. The blower 9 includes, for example, a sirocco fan 9A and a motor 9B as shown in FIG. 2, but is not particularly limited to this configuration.

  In this embodiment, the temperature control unit 3 includes at least an evaporator 11, air mix doors 12 and 13, a hot water heater core 14 as a heater, and electric heaters 34 and 35 to be described later. , Differential blowing mode switching door 15, vent blowing mode switching door 17, foot blowing mode switching door 19 or differential blowing mode switching door 16, vent blowing mode switching door 19, foot blowing mode switching door (not shown) The blow mode switching means constituted at least in the above is housed in the air flow path 5 of the temperature control case 4B, and the differential blow openings 21, 22, vent blow openings 23, 24, foot blow openings. 25 (the one in the driver's seat side branch flow path 7 is not shown) is configured to open to a portion of the temperature control case 4B that is on the most downstream side of the air flow path 5. However, the heater core 14 uses the exhaust heat of the engine and can be eliminated in an air conditioning unit for an electric vehicle.

  The evaporator 11 and the heater core 14 are common to both branch flow paths 7 and 8. The evaporator 11 is arranged in the form of substantially closing the air flow path 5 on the upstream side of the partition part 6, and the heater core 14 extends between the partition parts 6 in the extending direction of the partition part 6 as shown in FIG. 2. Are disposed in the temperature control case 4 </ b> B so as to intersect with each other, and project into the both diversion channels 7 and 8. However, as shown in FIG. 1, the heater core 14 is disposed so as to secure a space between the upper surface of the temperature control case 4 </ b> B so as to provide a cold air passage 27. A warm air passage 28 is provided downstream of the heater core 14 and electric heaters 34 and 35 described later. The air mix chamber 29 in which the cool air flowing from the cool air passage 27 and the warm air flowing from the hot air passage 28 are mixed is provided with the blowout openings 21, 23, 25 or 22, 24, for foot blowing (not shown). It is provided on the upstream side of the opening.

  On the other hand, the air mix doors 12 and 13 are for appropriately adjusting the amount of air that passes through the heater core 14 and the electric heater 34 or 35 and the amount of air that bypasses them. It forms a flag type consisting of a door main body 31 projecting in a radial direction from the rotating shaft 30, and is disposed in each of the diversion channels 7 and 8. The rotary shafts 30 of the air mix doors 12 and 13 are not integrated, and each has an actuator (not shown) so that it can rotate separately. As a result, the air mix doors 12 and 13 move the heater core 14 from the full hot position (opening degree 100%) that guides all of the air that has passed through the evaporator 11 and is sent to one of the branch flow paths 7 and 8 to the heater core 14. It rotates over the range of the full cool position (opening degree 0%) to be bypassed.

  Further, the blowing mode switching doors 15 to 20 and the foot blowing mode switching door (not shown) are also of the flag type comprising the rotating shaft 32 and the door body 33 projecting radially from the rotating shaft 32. Arranged in each of the diversion channels 7 and 8. The blow mode switching doors 15 to 20 and the rotary shaft 32 positioned in the axial direction of the foot blow mode switching door (not shown) are not integrated, and each has an actuator (not shown) so that they can be rotated separately. .

  As a result, the air taken into the air flow path 5 from the suction port 10 by the blower 9 is cooled by the evaporator 11 and then sent to the driver side branch path 7 and the passenger side side flow path 8. Opening degrees of the air mixing door 12 and the air mixing door 13 are independently controlled to be adjusted to different air temperatures, opening degrees of the blowing mode switching door 15 for the differential and the blowing mode switching door 16, and switching of the blowing mode for the vent. By independently controlling the opening degree of the door 17 and the blowing mode switching door 18 and the opening degree of the blowing mode switching door 19 for the foot and the blowing mode switching door (not shown), respectively 7 and the passenger seat side branch channel 8 can be set to different blowing modes.

  The electric heaters 34 and 35 are, for example, PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heaters, and the PTC heater has a characteristic of having a self-temperature adjusting function. In this embodiment, the electric heaters 34 and 35 are disposed in the branch channels 7 and 8 on the downstream side of the heater core 14, respectively. And each electric heater 34 and 35 can be controlled separately. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, electricity is supplied from separate power sources 36 and 37, and although not shown, the electric heaters 34 and 35 are incorporated into the electric heaters 34 or 35 or are electrically connected to circuits outside the electric heaters 34 and 35. It has equipment to turn on / off the supply.

  In addition, in each electric heater 34 and electric heater 35, in order to increase the volume of each heater 34 and 35 so as not to generate a ventilation resistance, the electric heater 34 and the electric heater 35 also have a dummy element that has conductivity but does not generate heat. As a result, even if the density of the heating elements varies, it is sufficient if the heating temperature for the overall passing air is as set (for example, 70 degrees).

  Thereby, although the electric heater 34 and the electric heater 35 are in the same production line, for example, the overall heating element density of one electric heater 34 is higher than the overall heating element density of the other electric heater 35. Therefore, for example, when the same foot mode is set, there is no difference in the heating of the air passing between the electric heater 34 and the electric heater 35, and the same blown air temperature can be set. Further, in the branch flow path 8 on the passenger seat side, when the air mix door 12 is set to the full cool position, the electric heater 34 can be stopped while the electric heater 35 is operated, so that the electric heater 34 is wasted. Can be prevented.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the air conditioning unit 1 has a through hole 38 for accommodating the electric heater 34 in the branch channel 8 on the side surface of the temperature adjustment case 4 </ b> B, and the electric heater 35. A through hole 39 for receiving in the branch channel 7 is opened. The partition portion 6 is formed with guide portions 40, 40 facing the through hole 38 at substantially the same interval as the thickness of the electric heater 34, and the guide portions 41, 41 are formed in the through hole. The electric heater 35 is formed at a position opposed to the electric heater 35 with substantially the same interval as the thickness of the electric heater 35. Thereby, the positioning at the time of mounting | wearing in the temperature control case 4B of the electric heaters 34 and 35 can be facilitated, and the assembly operation | work of the electric heaters 34 and 35 can be simplified.

  4 and 5, two air-conditioning controls are carried out independently for the right-seat side air-conditioning zone (driver's-seat-side air-conditioning zone) and left-seat-side air-conditioning zone (passenger-seat-side air-conditioning zone) mounted in the vehicle A second embodiment of an air conditioning unit 1 having an air conditioning system is shown. Hereinafter, in principle, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, the description thereof will be omitted, and different configurations will be described.

  The air conditioning unit 1 has an air flow path 5 defined therein by an air conditioning case 4. A blower unit portion 2 in which a blower 9 is housed in the air flow path 5, and temperature control means such as an evaporator 11. , Housing mode switching means such as mode switching doors 15, 16, etc., and having a temperature control unit 3 with openings for differential blowing 21, 22, etc., and the air flow path 5 is operated downstream of the evaporator 11. The second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in that the passenger seat side branch flow path 7 and the passenger seat side branch flow path 8 are separated by the partition portion 6.

  The air mix doors 12 and 13, the blowing mode switching doors 17 to 19, and the foot blowing mode switching doors (not shown) are arranged in the respective branch channels 7 and 8, and the air conditioning control is independently performed by the branch channels 7 and 8. This is similar to the first embodiment in that it can be performed.

  On the other hand, the electric heater 42 is a single unit, for example, a PTC heater, and has a heating element 42A and a heating element 42B, and each heating element 42A, 42B can be controlled separately. For example, electricity is supplied from the power source 36 to the heating element 42A, and electricity is supplied from the power source 37 to the heating element 42B. And although not shown in figure, it has the apparatus which turns ON / OFF the supply of electricity to each heat generating body 42A, 42B on the circuit outside the electric heater 42 in the form incorporated in the electric heater 42.

  Each of the heating elements 42A and 42B has a heating element and also has a dummy element that has conductivity but does not generate heat in order to increase the volume of each heating element 42A and heating element 42B so as not to generate a ventilation resistance. In this case, even if the density of the heat generating elements varies due to this, it is sufficient if the heating temperature for the entire passing air is as set (for example, 70 degrees).

  As a result, when the heating elements 42A and 42B are incorporated into the electric heater 42, for example, the overall heating element density of one heating element 42A is greater than the overall heating element density of the other heating element 42B. For example, when the same foot mode is set, there is no difference in the heating of the air passing between the heating element 42A and the heating element 42B, and the same blown air temperature can be set. is there. Further, when the air mix door 12 is set to the full cool position in the shunt flow path 8 on the passenger seat side, the heating element 42B side of the electric heater 42 is energized and operated while the heating element 42A side is de-energized and operated. Therefore, the use of the heating element 42A side of the electric heater 42 can be prevented.

  Here, in order to divide the electric heater 42 into the heating element 42A and the heating element 42B, an intervening portion made of a material that has a heat insulating function and does not have electrical conductivity between the heating element 42A and the heating element 42B. It is conceivable to have a configuration having 43. Thereby, for example, when energization of the heating element 42B is stopped, heat can be prevented from being transferred from the heating element 42A to the heating element 42B, and the heating element 42A does not rise to a desired set temperature.

  Further, a cover member 44 is mounted around the interposition part 43 of the electric heater 42. The temperature adjustment case 4B is formed with a through hole 45 through which the electric heater 42 is inserted with the cover member 44 attached, and the portion of the partition 6 that faces the through hole 45 is connected to the temperature control case 4B. A through hole 46 having the same shape as the hole 45 is formed. Furthermore, guide portions 47 and 47 are formed on the inner surface of the temperature adjustment case 4B opposite to the side where the through hole 45 is formed, with a width substantially the same as the thickness of the electric heater 42. Thereby, since the cover member 44 is located in the through hole 46 of the partition portion 6 by inserting the electric heater 42 from the through hole 45 until the insertion-side tip portion is mounted between the guide portions 47 and 47, The cover member 44 can seal the gap between the electric heater 42 and the inner surface of the through hole 46. Further, a sealing member 48 may be disposed on the periphery of the through hole 46, whereby the sealing performance between the electric heater 42 and the inner surface of the through hole 46 can be further improved.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle air conditioning unit equipped with a plurality of PTC heaters according to the present invention as viewed from the side. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle air conditioning unit on which a plurality of PTC heaters are mounted as seen from above. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state in which the guide part of the PTC heater is formed in the partition part. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle air conditioning unit equipped with a single PTC heater having a plurality of heating elements according to the present invention as seen from the side. FIG. 5 (A) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state in which the PTC heater of FIG. 4 is housed from the opening in the air conditioning case and a state in which a cover member is attached to the PTC heater, and FIG. It is a principal part expanded sectional view which shows the state by which the clearance gap between the partition parts was sealed by the cover member by accommodating a PTC heater in an air-conditioning case.

Explanation of symbols

1 Air conditioning unit (air conditioning unit for vehicles)
4 Air-conditioning case 4B Temperature control case 5 Air flow path 6 Partition part 7 Driver's seat side diversion path (diversion flow path)
8 Passenger seat side flow path (flow path)
11 Evaporator (cooler)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 Hot water type heater core 34 Electric heater 35 Electric heater 36 Power supply 37 Power supply 38 Through-hole 39 Through-hole 40 Guide part 41 Guide part 42 Electric heater 42A Heat generating body 42B Heat generating body 43 Interposition part 44 Cover member 45 Through-hole 46 Through-hole 48 Seal member

Claims (6)

The air flow path includes an air conditioning case in which an air flow path is formed. The air flow path stores temperature control means such as a cooler, and at least a plurality of diversion flows by a partitioning portion downstream from the cooler. In the vehicle air conditioner partitioned into roads, an electric heater that can be controlled separately is housed for each of the branch flow paths. The air flow path includes an air conditioning case in which an air flow path is formed. The air flow path stores temperature control means such as a cooler, and at least a plurality of diversion flows by a partitioning portion downstream from the cooler. In a vehicle air conditioner partitioned into roads, an electric heater is housed in the air conditioning case so as to intersect the plurality of branch flow paths, and the electric heater is independent for each part located in the branch flow path. A vehicle air-conditioning unit comprising a heat generating element that can be controlled as described above. A through hole into which the electric heater is inserted is formed on the outer surface of the branch flow path, and a guide portion for positioning the electric heater is formed in the partition portion at a portion facing the through hole. The vehicle air conditioning unit according to claim 1. A through-hole into which the electric heater is inserted is formed in each of the outer surface of the diversion channel and the partition portion, and a cover member is provided in a portion of the electric heater that is located in the through-hole of the partition portion at the time of insertion. The vehicular air conditioning unit according to claim 2, wherein a space between the through hole of the partition portion is sealed by a cover member. The vehicular air conditioning unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a hot water heater core is housed on the windward side of the electric heater with respect to the air conditioning case. The vehicle air conditioning unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electric heater is a PTC heater.

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