JP2010132080A - Heater unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress the deterioration in mountability while controlling a left side PTC heater element and a right side PTC heater element independently in a heater unit. <P>SOLUTION: Electrode terminals 80a, 64a, 65a, 66a, 67a, 81a of the heater unit are disposed on a left side wall 11b side of an air-conditioning case 11. Therefore, by only arranging a wire harness 41 from a battery Ba side and on the left side wall 11b side of the air-conditioning case 11, the electrode terminals 80a, 64a, 65a, 66a, 67a, 81a can be connected to the battery Ba, so that the deterioration in mountability of the heater unit 28 can be suppressed. An electronic control device 200 controls relay switches 110, 111, 112, 113 to connect or disconnect between the battery Ba and respective heater plates 70, 71, 72, 73. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a heater unit including an electric heater that generates heat when a voltage is applied thereto.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a heater unit of an air conditioner includes a PTC heater element that is disposed in an air conditioning case and generates heat when energized, and heats the air in the air conditioning case by heat generation of the PTC heater element (see Patent Document 1).

  In the vehicle air conditioner, the air conditioning case is divided in the vehicle left-right direction to form the first and second air passages and the air flowing through the first and second air passages is heated. A heater unit, a first bypass passage that bypasses the heater unit in the first air passage and flows air, and a second bypass passage that bypasses the heater unit and flows air in the second air passage. There is something to prepare.

  In this configuration, the first air mix door changes from the first air passage to the vehicle interior by changing the ratio of the amount of air flowing through the heater unit and the amount of air flowing through the first bypass passage in the first air passage. Adjust the temperature of the air blown to the right.

The second air mix door is blown out from the first air passage to the left side of the vehicle interior by changing the ratio of the amount of air flowing through the heater unit and the amount of air flowing through the second bypass passage in the second air passage. Adjust the air temperature.
JP 2007-292425 A

  The present inventor applies the above-described heater unit of Patent Document 1 to the above-described vehicle air-conditioning apparatus, so that the air flowing through the first and second air passages by the heater unit of Patent Document 1 is independent of each other. As a result, the following problems were found.

  First, in order to adjust the temperature of the air in the first and second air passages independently by the heater unit, the first and second PTC heater elements corresponding to the first and second air passages are provided. I need it.

  In addition to this, in order to individually apply a voltage to the first and second PTC heater elements, the first and second electrode terminals and the second PTC corresponding to the first and second PTC heater elements are provided. Third and fourth electrode terminals corresponding to the heater elements are required.

  Here, if the first and second electrode terminals and the third and fourth electrode terminals are separately arranged on the left side wall and the right side wall of the air conditioning case, both battery electrodes (plus electrode and minus electrode) and the air conditioner are arranged. In addition to arranging the electric wire between the left side wall side of the case, it is necessary to arrange the electric wire between both electrodes of the battery and the right side wall side of the air conditioning case, and the mounting property is deteriorated. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a heater unit capable of controlling the first and second PTC heater elements independently while suppressing deterioration in mountability. .

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention according to claim 1, a case (11) through which air flows,
First and second electric heaters (70 to 73) that are arranged in a direction intersecting with the air flow direction in the case and that are supplied with a voltage output from a power source (Ba) to generate heat and heat the air. )When,
First and second electrode terminals (80a, ... 81a) for applying a voltage to the first electric heater;
A third and a fourth electrode terminal (80a, ... 81a) for applying a voltage to the second electric heater independently of the first electric heater;
The first and second electrode terminals and the third and fourth electrode terminals are arranged on one side in the direction in which the first and second electric heaters are arranged.

  Therefore, the first to fourth electrode terminals and the power source can be obtained simply by arranging an electric wire between one side in the direction in which the first and second electric heaters are arranged and both electrodes (plus electrode, minus electrode) of the power source. Can be connected with an electric wire.

  In addition, as described above, in addition to the first and second electrode terminals, there are third and fourth electrode terminals for applying a voltage to the second electric heater independently of the first electric heater. Is provided.

  As described above, it is possible to control the first and second PTC heater elements independently, and to suppress the deterioration of the mountability.

In the invention which concerns on Claim 2, it consists of an electroconductive material, and is arrange | positioned in the said 1st electric heater side among the directions where the said 1st, 2nd electric heaters are located in a line, and the said 1st electric heater and the said air First heat exchange fins (50, 51,... 53) that promote heat exchange between,
The first electric heater is made of a conductive material and is arranged on the second electric heater side in the direction in which the first and second electric heaters are arranged, and promotes heat exchange between the second electric heater and the air. Two heat exchange fins (54, 55,... 57),
When an output voltage of the power source is applied between the first and second electrode terminals, a current is passed through the first heat exchange fin between the first and second electrode terminals to the first electric heater. The first electric heater generates heat by flowing,
When an output voltage of the power source is applied between the third and fourth electrode terminals, an electric current is supplied to the second electric heater through the second heat exchange fin between the third and fourth electrode terminals. The second electric heater generates heat by flowing,
A first electric circuit in which current flows through the first electric heater through the first heat exchange fin between the first and second electrode terminals, and the second between the third and fourth electrode terminals. The second electric circuit through which a current flows through the second electric heater through the heat exchange fins is independent of each other.

  The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the first and second electrode terminals and the third and fourth electrode terminals are arranged outside the case (11).

In the invention which concerns on Claim 4, the partition wall (11c) which divides | segments the air path in the said case into the direction which cross | intersects the said air flow direction, and forms the 1st, 2nd air path (40a, 40b). Has
The first electric heater is disposed in one of the first and second air passages,
The second electric heater is disposed in the other air passage of the first and second air passages other than the one air passage.

The invention according to claim 5 includes a control device (200) for independently controlling currents flowing from the power source to the first and second electric heaters,
When one of the first and second electric heaters generates heat and the heat generation of the other electric heater is stopped, the control device (200) allows a current to flow to the one electric heater. The current value is the same as the maximum value of the total of the current values that can be supplied to the first and second electric heaters by the control device (200) when the first and second electric heaters generate heat. It is a current value.

  Accordingly, when one of the first and second electric heaters generates heat and the other electric heater stops heating, a large amount of heat can be generated from one electric heater.

  In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis of each means described in this column and the claim shows the correspondence with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an air conditioning unit 10 of a vehicle air conditioner to which a heater unit according to the present invention is applied. The respective arrows before and after up and down in FIG. 1 indicate the up and down and front and rear directions in the vehicle mounted state.

  The air conditioning unit 10 includes an air conditioning case 11 that forms an air passage that blows air into the passenger compartment. An air inlet (not shown) is formed on the side surface of the portion of the air conditioning case 11 closest to the vehicle front side. Air blown from a scroll case of a blower unit (not shown) flows into the air inlet.

  An evaporator 12 (cooling heat exchanger) into which the blown air from the air inlet flows is arranged on the downstream side of the air inlet in the air conditioning case 11 as indicated by an arrow F1. The evaporator 12 is a cooling heat exchanger that cools the conditioned air by absorbing the latent heat of evaporation of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle from the conditioned air.

  A partition wall (not shown in FIG. 1) is provided on the air flow downstream side of the evaporator 12 in the air conditioning case 11. The partition wall divides the inside of the air conditioning case 11 in the vehicle width direction (vehicle left-right direction) to form a right air passage and a left air passage. That is, the partition wall divides the air flow path in the air conditioning case 11 in a direction orthogonal to the air flow to form a right air passage and a left air passage.

  Here, the right air passage is a passage that is provided between the partition wall and the right side wall of the air conditioning case 11 and allows the air blown from the evaporator 12 to flow toward the driver's seat in the passenger compartment. The left air passage is a passage that is provided between the partition wall and the left side wall of the air conditioning case 11 and allows air blown from the evaporator 12 to flow toward the passenger seat in the passenger compartment.

  A heater core 13 is provided on the air downstream side of the evaporator 12. The heater core 13 is disposed over both the right air passage and the left air passage. The heater core 13 is a heat exchanger for heating that uses hot water (engine cooling water) as a heat source to heat cold air flowing through the right air passage and air flowing through the left air passage.

  In the right air passage in the air conditioning case 11, a first cold air bypass passage 14 that bypasses the heater core 13 and flows air (cold air) is formed above the heater core 13 as indicated by an arrow F <b> 2.

  First and second air mix doors 18 and 19 are arranged on the upstream side of the heater core 13 in the right air passage in the air conditioning case 11.

  The first air mix door 18 includes hot air heated in the upper flow path 13a of the heater core 13 as indicated by an arrow F4, and cold air that bypasses the heater core 13 through the first cold air bypass passage 14 as indicated by an arrow F2. Adjust the air volume ratio.

  The second air mix door 19 adjusts the amount of warm air heated in the lower flow path 13b of the heater core 13 as indicated by an arrow F5. Thereby, the temperature of the warm air (F5) blown out from the lower flow path 13b of the heater core 13 is adjusted.

  Here, the first air mix door 18 is configured by a slide door that slides substantially parallel to the front surface of the evaporator 12. The second air mix door 19 is configured by a plate-like door that is rotatably supported with respect to the front surface of the evaporator 12. The first and second air mix doors 18 and 19 are driven by an actuator mechanism.

  Similar to the right air passage, first and second air mix doors (not shown) are arranged in the left air passage in the air conditioning case 11.

  A wall portion 22 is provided on the downstream side of the heater core 13 in the right air passage in the air conditioning case 11. The wall portion 22 forms a first hot air passage 23 that guides the hot air that has passed through the upper flow path 13a of the heater core 13 upward. On the downstream side (upper side) of the first hot air passage 23, air mixing that mixes the cold air that has passed through the first cold air bypass passage 14 and the hot air that has passed through the first hot air passage 23 in the upper portion of the heater core 13. Part 20 is provided.

  A defroster opening 24, a face opening 25, and a foot opening (indicated by a chain line) 30 are provided in the right air passage of the air conditioning case 11. The openings 24, 25, 30 blow out the conditioned air whose temperature is adjusted from the air mixing unit 20 toward the vehicle interior.

  The defroster opening 24 and the front seat face opening 25 are switched open and closed by a face door 26. The face door 26 is composed of a sliding door that slides. The foot opening 30 is formed in the right side wall (not shown) of the air conditioning case 11, and the foot opening 30 is opened and closed by a foot door (not shown). The face door 26 and the foot door are driven by an actuator mechanism (not shown).

  The left air passage of the air conditioning case 11 has a wall portion 22, a first hot air passage 23, an air mixing portion 20, a defroster opening portion 24, a face opening portion 25, a foot opening portion 30, and a face door, like the right air passage. 26, and a foot door is provided.

  On the other hand, in the right air passage, a second hot air passage 27 is formed on the vehicle rear side of the lower flow path 13b of the heater core 13 to flow the hot air that has passed through the lower flow path 13b.

  A heater unit 28 serving as a heat exchanger for auxiliary heating is disposed in the second hot air passage 27. The heater unit 28 is an electric heater that heats the warm air that has passed through the heater core 13. As will be described later, the heater unit 28 can heat the warm air flowing through the right air passage and the warm air flowing through the left air passage, respectively.

  In the right air passage, a communication port 31 is provided between the downstream region 21 of the heater core 13 and the air mixing unit 20 in the second hot air passage 27. The communication port 31 is a passage through which the warm air that has passed through the heater unit 28 flows to the air mixing unit 20 side. Thereby, the temperature of the hot air blown out from the openings 24, 25, 30 can be increased.

  A second hot air passage 27 is provided in the left air passage of the air conditioning case 11 in the same manner as the right air passage.

  Next, the heater unit 28 of this embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a view of the vicinity of the heater core 13 in FIG. 1 as viewed from above.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the heater unit 28 penetrates the partition wall 11c and is disposed on both sides of the right air passage 40a and the left air passage 40b.

  Here, in FIG. 2, the code | symbol 11a is the right side wall of the air-conditioning case 11, the code | symbol 11b is the left side wall of the air-conditioning case 11, and the code | symbol 11c is a partition wall.

  FIG. 3 is a view showing the heater core 13 and its electrical connection relationship as seen from the downstream side of the air flow.

  3 indicates the position of the partition wall. Hereinafter, the right side is defined as the right side region of the heater unit 28 with the one-dot chain line S as a boundary, and the left side of the heater unit 28 with the one-dot chain line S as a boundary. The left area.

  The heater unit 28 includes heat exchange fins 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, electrode plates 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, heater plates 70, 71, 72, 73, frames 80, 81, 82, 83 and insulating plates 90, 91, 92, 93.

  First, the frames 80, 81, 82, 83 are made of a conductive metal material such as aluminum, and are arranged in a rectangular shape to constitute a frame-shaped case. The frames 80 and 81 are formed in a column shape extending in the left-right direction. The frame 80 is disposed above the frame 81. The frames 82 and 83 are formed in a column shape extending in the vertical direction. The frame 82 is disposed on the left side with respect to the frame 83.

  Here, the heat exchange fins 50 to 57, the electrode plates 60 to 67, the heater plates 70 to 73, and the insulating plates 90 to 93 are arranged in a space surrounded by the frames 80, 81, 82, 83. The frame 80 is provided with a connector housing 100 that protrudes to the right. The connector housing 100 is provided outside the air conditioning case 11 and is disposed so as to protrude to the left from the left side wall 11 b of the air conditioning case 11. The connector housing 100 is used to connect the electrode plates 60 to 67 and the higher harness as will be described later.

  Each of the heat exchange fins 50, 51, 52, 53... 57 is a corrugated fin formed in a wave shape from a conductive material such as aluminum. The heat exchange fins 50, 51, 52, 53 are arranged in the left region. The heat exchange fins 54, 55, 56, 57 are disposed in the right region. The left heat exchange fins 50, 51, 52, and 53 and the right heat exchange fins 54, 55, 56, and 57 are disposed with a gap between each other. The said clearance gap is comprised from the air as an electrical insulator.

  As described above, an electric circuit for flowing current to the heater plate 70 through the heat exchange fin 50 between the electrode plates 60 and 61, and an electric circuit for flowing current to the heater plate 72 through the heat exchange fin 54 between the electrode plates 64 and 65 Are independent of each other.

  In addition to this, an electric circuit for passing a current to the heater plate 71 through the heat exchange fins 52 and 53 between the electrode plates 63 and 62, and a current to the heater plate 73 through the heat exchange fin 56 between the electrode plates 67 and 66 are provided. The electric circuit that flows is independent of each other.

  One of the left heat exchange fins 50, 51, 52, 53 and the right heat exchange fins 54, 55, 56, 57 corresponds to a first heat exchange fin, and the other is a second heat exchange fin. It corresponds to.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the heater plate 70 is composed of a long plate-like resin frame 70b having a plurality of openings, and a plate-like PTC element 70c inserted into each of the plurality of openings. An element row is configured. The PTC element 70c is a known element having a characteristic that the resistance value increases when the temperature reaches the Curie point, and the current increases and stabilizes at a constant temperature when the temperature decreases while a voltage is applied. Each of the heater plates 71, 72, 73 has the same structure as the heater plate 70.

  The heater plates 70 and 71 are disposed in the left region, and the heater plates 72 and 73 are disposed in the right region.

  The insulating plates 90, 91, 92, and 93 are formed from an electrically insulating material into a long plate shape. The insulating plates 90 and 91 are disposed in the left region, and the insulating plates 92 and 93 are disposed in the right region.

  In the left region of the heater unit 28, from the top to the bottom, the electrode plate 60, the heat exchange fin 50, the heater plate 70, the electrode plate 61, the heat exchange fin 51, the insulating plates 90 and 91, the electrode plate 62, and the heat exchange fin 52, heater plate 71, heat exchange fin 53, electrode plate 63 in order of electrode plates 60, 61, 62, 63, heat exchange fins 50, 51, 52, 53, heater plates 70, 71, and insulating plates 90, 91 Are lined up.

  Here, the electrode plate 60 is connected to the frame 80, and the electrode plate 63 is connected to the frame 81. The heat exchange fins 50 and 51 promote heat exchange between the heater plate 70 and the air flow. The heat exchange fins 52 and 53 promote heat exchange between the heater plate 71 and the air flow.

  In the right region of the heater unit 28, from the top to the bottom, the insulating plate 93, the electrode plate 64, the heat exchange fin 54, the heater plate 72, the electrode plate 65, the heat exchange fin 55, the electrode plate 66, the heater plate 73, heat In the order of the exchange fin 56, the electrode plate 67, the heat exchange fin 57, and the insulating plate 92, the electrode plates 64, 65, 66, 67, the heat exchange fins 54, 55, 56, 57, the heater plates 72, 73, and the insulating plate 92 are arranged. , 93 are arranged.

  Here, the heat exchange fins 54 and 55 promote heat exchange between the heater plate 72 and the air flow. The heat exchange fins 56 and 57 promote heat exchange between the heater plate 73 and the air flow.

  The frame 80 is provided with an electrode terminal 80a protruding to the right side. The electrode plate 64 is provided with an electrode terminal 64a that protrudes to the right. Similarly, the electrode plates 65, 66, and 67 are provided with electrode terminals 65a, 66a, and 67a that protrude to the right. The frame 81 is provided with an electrode terminal 81a protruding to the right side.

  The electrode terminals 80 a, 64 a, 65 a, 66 a, 67 a, 81 a are arranged in the connector housing 100.

  The electrode terminals 80a, 64a, 65a, 66a, 67a, 81a together with the connector housing 100 constitute a male connector. The male connector is fitted into the female connector 40 (see FIG. 2). The female connector 40 is connected to relay switches 110, 111, 112, and 113 via a wire harness 41 (see FIG. 2).

  Here, the heat exchange fins 50, 51, 52, 53 on the left side and the heat exchange fins 54, 55, 56, 57 arranged on the right side are electrically insulated.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the heater plate 70 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the electrode terminal 80 a is connected to the positive electrode of the battery Ba (power source) via the relay switch 110. The negative electrode of the battery Ba is connected to the ground.

  The electrode terminal 64a is connected to the positive electrode of the battery Ba via the relay switch 111. The electrode terminals 65a are connected to the ground. The electrode plates 61 and 65 are connected.

  As described above, a path through which current flows is formed between the electrode terminal 80a and the electrode terminal 65a in the order of the frame 80 → the electrode plate 60 → the heat exchange fin 50 → the heater plate 70 → the electrode plate 61 → the electrode plate 65. .

  In addition to this, a path is formed between the electrode terminal 64a and the electrode terminal 65a so that current flows in the order of the electrode plate 64 → the heat exchange fin 54 → the heater plate 72 → the electrode plate 65.

  Thus, the electrode terminal 65a serves as a common electrode terminal for the heater plates 70 and 72.

  The electrode terminal 81a is connected to the positive electrode of the battery Ba via the relay switch 113. The electrode terminal 67a is connected to the plus electrode of the battery Ba via the relay switch 112. The electrode terminals 66a are each connected to the ground. Here, the electrode plates 62 and 66 are connected.

  As described above, a path through which current flows between the electrode terminal 81a and the electrode terminal 66a in the order of the frame 81 → the electrode plate 63 → the heat exchange fin 53 → the heater plate 71 → the heat exchange fin 52 → the electrode plate 62 → the electrode plate 66 is arranged. Will form.

  In addition to this, a path is formed between the electrode terminal 67a and the electrode terminal 66a so that a current flows in the order of the electrode plate 67 → the heat exchange fin 56 → the heater plate 73 → the electrode plate 66.

  Thus, the electrode terminal 66a serves as a common electrode terminal for the heater plates 71 and 73.

  FIG. 5 shows an electrical connection relationship between the heater plates 70, 71, 72, 73 and the relay switches 110, 111, 112, 113.

  The electronic control device 200 is connected to the relay switches 110, 111, 112, and 113. The relay switches 110, 111, 112 and 113 are turned on and off by the electronic control device 200. As a result, the positive electrode of the battery Ba and the heater plates 71, 72, 73 are connected or opened for each heater plate.

  The electronic control device 200 is connected to an outside air temperature sensor 210 that detects the temperature outside the passenger compartment and seating sensors SW1 and SW2.

  The seating sensor SW1 is built in, for example, a driver seat cushion or the like, and detects the seating of a passenger on the driver seat. The seating sensor SW2 is incorporated in, for example, a seat cushion of the passenger seat and detects the seating of the passenger on the passenger seat. The seating sensors SW1 and SW2 are composed of, for example, regular-type switches.

  The electronic control device 200 controls the heater plates 70, 71, 72, and 73 via the relay switches 110, 111, 112, and 113b according to the detection values of the sensors SW1, SW2, and 210.

  The electronic control unit 200 determines that the occupant is seated in the driver's seat when the seating sensor SW1 is on. At this time, as the detection temperature Tam of the outside air temperature sensor 210 becomes lower, the relay switches 111 and 112 are controlled to be turned on and off so that the number of heater plates that give the output voltage of the battery Ba among the heater plates 72 and 73 is increased.

  That is, when the detected temperature Tam of the outside air temperature sensor 210 is higher than the first temperature Ta, both the relay switches 111 and 112 are turned off, the detected temperature Tam of the outside air temperature sensor 210 is less than the first temperature Ta, and When the temperature is equal to or higher than the temperature Tb (<Ta) of 2, the relay switch 111 is turned off and the relay switch 112 is turned on. Further, when the detected temperature Tam of the outside air temperature sensor 210 is lower than the second temperature Tb, both the relay switches 111 and 112 are turned on.

  As described above, the amount of heat generated from the heater plates 72 and 73 can be controlled by turning the relay switches 111 and 112 on and off.

  On the other hand, the electronic control unit 200 determines that the passenger is not seated in the driver's seat when the seating sensor SW1 is off. Accordingly, at this time, both the relay switches 111 and 112 are turned off regardless of the detected temperature Tam of the outside air temperature sensor 210.

  The electronic control device 200 determines that the occupant is seated in the passenger seat when the seating sensor SW2 is on. At this time, as in the case where the seating sensor SW1 is turned on, the relay switch is set so that the number of heater plates that provide the output voltage of the battery Ba among the heater plates 70 and 71 increases as the detection temperature Tam of the outside air temperature sensor 210 decreases. 110 and 113 are controlled.

  As described above, the amount of heat generated from the heater plates 70 and 71 can be controlled by turning the relay switches 111 and 112 on and off.

  According to the embodiment described above, the electrode terminals 80 a, 64 a, 65 a, 66 a, 67 a, 81 a are arranged in the connector housing 100. In addition, the connector housing 100 is disposed so as to protrude on the left side from the left side wall 11 b of the air conditioning case 11.

  Thereby, all of the electrode terminals 80a, 64a, 65a, 66a, 67a, 81a are arranged on the left side wall 11b side of the air conditioning case 11. For this reason, only by arranging the electric wire 41 between both electrodes (plus electrode, minus electrode) of the battery Ba and the left side wall 11b side of the air conditioning case 11, the space between the heater plates 70 to 73 and the battery Ba can be obtained. Can be connected. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the mountability of the heater unit 28.

  In addition to this, the electronic control device 200 controls the relay switches 110, 111, 112, and 113 to connect the positive electrode of the battery Ba and the heater plates 70, 71, 72, and 73 for each heater plate. Or open. Therefore, the left heater plates 70 and 71 and the right heater plates 72 and 73 can be controlled independently.

  That is, the PTC heater elements of the left heater plates 70 and 71 (hereinafter referred to as left PTC heater elements) and the PTC heater elements of the right heater plates 72 and 73 (hereinafter referred to as right PTC heater elements) can be controlled independently. it can.

  As described above, it is possible to independently control the left PTC heater element and the right PTC heater element, and it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the mountability of the heater unit 28.

(Second Embodiment)
In the above-described first embodiment, an example in which the amount of heat generated from the heater plates 70 and 71 (72 and 73) is controlled by independently controlling the heater plates 70 and 71 (72 and 73) has been described. Instead, a second embodiment in which the amount of heat generated from the heater plates 70 and 71 (72, 73) is controlled by PWM control will be described.

  FIG. 6 shows the structure of the heater unit 28 of the present embodiment.

  The heater unit 28 of this embodiment includes heat exchange fins 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, electrode plates 60, 61, 62, 64, 65, heater plates 70a, 70b, 70c, 71a, 71b, 71c, frames 80, 81, 82, 83, and insulating plates 90, 93. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 denote the same elements, and the description thereof is omitted.

  First, the heat exchange fins 50 to 57, the electrode plates 60 to 65, the heater plates 70a, 70b... 71c, and the insulating plates 90 and 93 are disposed in a space surrounded by the frames 80, 81, 82, and 83.

  In the left region of the heater unit 28, the electrode plate 60, the heat exchange fin 50, the heater plate 70a, the heat exchange fin 51, the heater plate 70b, the heat exchange fin 52, the heater plate 70c, and the heat exchange from the top to the bottom. The electrode plates 60 and 61, the heat exchange fins 50, 52, and 53, the heater plate 70a, the heater plates 70b and 70c, and the insulating plate 90 are arranged in the order of the fin 53, the electrode plate 61, and the insulating plate 90.

  Further, in the right region of the heater unit 28, the insulating plate 93, the heat exchange fin 54, the electrode plate 64, the heater plate 71a, the heat exchange fin 55, the heater plate 71b, the heat exchange fin 56, the heater plate from the top to the bottom. The insulating plate 93, the electrode plates 64 and 65, the heat exchange fins 54, 55, 56, and 57, and the heater plates 71a, 71b, and 71c are arranged in the order of 71c, the heat exchange fin 57, and the electrode plate 65.

  Here, the frame 80 is provided with electrode terminals 80a. The electrode plates 64 and 65 are provided with electrode terminals 64a and 65a. The electrode terminals 64a, 65a, and 80a are disposed in the connector housing 100 as in the first embodiment described above.

  The electrode terminals 80a, 64a, 65a, 66a, 67a, 81a together with the connector housing 100 constitute a male connector. The male connector is fitted into the female connector. The female connector is connected to the field effect transistors 120 and 121 via the wire harness 41.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the heater plate 70 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the electrode terminal 80a is connected to the positive electrode of the battery Ba via a field effect transistor (denoted as FET in the figure) 120. The electrode terminal 65a is connected to the ground. The electrode plates 61 and 65 are connected.

  As described above, the frame 80 → the electrode plate 60 → the heat exchange fin 50 → the heater plate 70a → the heat exchange fin 51 → the heater plate 70b → the heat exchange fin 52 → the heater plate 70c → the heat between the electrode terminal 80a and the electrode terminal 65a. A path through which current flows is formed in the order of the exchange fin 53 → the electrode plate 61 → the electrode plate 65.

  The electrode terminal 64 a is connected to the positive electrode of the battery Ba via the field effect transistor 121. As a result, a path through which current flows is formed in the order of electrode plate 64 → heater plate 71a → heat exchange fin 55 → heater plate 71b → heat exchange fin 56 → heater plate 71c → heat exchange fin 57 → electrode plate 65.

  FIG. 7 shows the electrical connection relationship between the heater plates 70a, 70b, 70c, 71a, 71b, 71c and the field effect transistors 120, 121.

  An electronic control device 200 is connected to the field effect transistors 120 and 121. The field effect transistors 120 and 121 are turned on and off by the electronic control device 200. Thereby, the positive electrode of the battery Ba and the left heater plate 70a, 70b, 70c are connected or opened, and the positive electrode of the battery Ba and the right heater plate 71a, 71b, 71c are connected or opened. The

  The electronic control device 200 controls the heater plates 70a, 70b, 70c, 71a, 71b, 71c via the field effect transistors 120, 121 according to the detection values of the sensors SW1, SW2, 210.

  Specifically, when the electronic control unit 200 determines that the occupant is seated in the driver's seat according to the detection value of the seating sensor SW1, the heater plate 70a is based on the detection temperature Tam of the outside air temperature sensor 210. , 70b, 70c, PWM control is performed to control the current passed through.

  That is, the electronic control device 200 switches the field effect transistor 120. At this time, based on the detection temperature Tam of the outside air temperature sensor 210, the ratio H (= Ton / (Ton + Toff)) between the ON period Ton of the field effect transistor 120 and the OFF period Toff of the field effect transistor 120 (see FIG. 8). )change.

  The ratio H (= Ton / (Ton + Toff)) increases as the detection temperature Tam of the outside air temperature sensor 210 decreases. Thereby, the current flowing from the positive electrode of the battery Ba through the field effect transistor 120 to the heater plates 70a, 70b, 70c increases as the detection temperature Tam of the outside air temperature sensor 210 decreases. Accordingly, the lower the detected temperature Tam of the outside air temperature sensor 210, the more heat generated from the heater plates 70a, 70b, 70c.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the passenger is not seated in the driver's seat, the electronic control device 200 turns off the field effect transistor 120 regardless of the detected temperature Tam of the outside air temperature sensor 210.

  When the electronic control unit 200 determines that the occupant is seated in the passenger seat according to the detection value of the seating sensor SW2, the detected temperature of the outside air temperature sensor 210 is the same as in the case of the heater plates 70a, 70b, and 70c. Based on Tam, PWM control for controlling the current flowing through the heater plates 71a, 71b, 71c is performed.

  In this embodiment, when the electronic control unit 200 determines that the driver's seat, the passenger seat, and the passenger are seated according to the seating sensors SW1 and SW2, the ratio H (= Ton / (Ton + Toff) ) Is set to 50%.

  On the other hand, when the electronic control unit 200 determines that an occupant is seated in one of the driver seat and the passenger seat and not seated in the other according to the seating sensors SW1 and SW2, the ratio H (= Ton / (Ton + Toff )) Is 100%.

  In other words, when the heater plates 70a, 70b, 70c on the driver's seat side and the heater plates 71a, 71b, 71c on the passenger seat side are heated, the maximum value of the ratio H (= Ton / (Ton + Toff)) is set to 50. %. On the other hand, in the case where the heater plate group on one side of the driver seat and the passenger seat is heated and the heat plate group on the other seat side is stopped, the ratio H (= Ton / (Ton + Toff)) Is set to 100%.

  Here, when both the heater-side heater plates 70a, 70b, and 70c and the passenger-side heater plates 71a, 71b, and 71c are operated, the current that can be passed through the heater plates 70a, 70b, and 70c. And Imax is the maximum total current value that can be passed through the heater plates 71a, 71b, 71c. When the heater plate group on one side of the driver seat and the passenger seat is caused to generate heat and the heat generation on the heater plate group on the other side is stopped, the heater plate group on the one seat side is caused to flow. The maximum current value that can be set to the same value as the maximum value Imax.

  As described above, when the heater plates 70a, 70b, 70c on the driver's seat side and the heater plates 71a, 71b, 71c on the passenger seat side are operated and one heater plate group is stopped, the other heater plate group is stopped. A large amount of heat can be generated from one heater plate group.

(Other embodiments)
In the first embodiment described above, the relay switches 110, 111, 112, and 113 are controlled according to the detected temperature Tam of the outside air temperature sensor 210, but instead of this, the detected temperature Tam of the outside air temperature sensor 210 is displayed. The relay switches 110, 111, 112, and 113 may be controlled according to temperature information that takes into account the room temperature, the temperature of engine cooling water, and the like.

  In the second embodiment described above, the field effect transistors 120 and 121 are controlled in accordance with the detected temperature Tam of the outside air temperature sensor 210, but instead of this, the detected temperature Tam of the outside air temperature sensor 210 is set to the indoor temperature. The field effect transistors 120 and 121 may be controlled in accordance with temperature information that takes into account the temperature, the temperature of engine coolant, and the like.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, an example in which the heater unit according to the invention is applied to a vehicle air conditioner is shown. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the heater unit is applied to various air conditioners other than the vehicle air conditioner. May be.

It is a figure which shows the cross-sectional structure of the vehicle air conditioner in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which looked around the heater unit of the vehicle air conditioner of FIG. 1 from the top. It is a figure which shows the structure of the heater unit of FIG. It is a figure which shows the heater plate of FIG. It is a figure which shows the electrical constitution of the heater unit of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the heater unit in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the electrical constitution of the heater unit of FIG. It is a figure which shows the ratio of the ON period of the field effect transistor of FIG. 7, and an OFF period.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Air conditioning unit 11 Air conditioning case 12 Evaporator 13 Heater core 18 Air mix door 19 Air mix door 28 Heater unit 50 Heat exchange fin 51 Heat exchange fin 52 Heat exchange fin 53 Heat exchange fin 60 Electrode plate 61 Electrode plate 62 Electrode plate 63 Electrode plate 70 Heater plate 71 Heater plate 72 Heater plate 73 Heater plate 80 Frame 81 Frame 82 Frame 83 Frame

Claims (5)

A case (11) through which air flows;
First and second electric heaters (70 to 73) that are arranged in a direction intersecting with the air flow direction in the case and that are supplied with a voltage output from a power source (Ba) to generate heat and heat the air. )When,
First and second electrode terminals (80a, ... 81a) for applying a voltage to the first electric heater;
A third and a fourth electrode terminal (80a, ... 81a) for applying a voltage to the second electric heater independently of the first electric heater;
The heater unit, wherein the first and second electrode terminals and the third and fourth electrode terminals are arranged on one side in a direction in which the first and second electric heaters are arranged. A first conductive heater is disposed on the first electric heater side in a direction in which the first and second electric heaters are arranged, and promotes heat exchange between the first electric heater and the air. 1 heat exchange fin (50, 51, ... 53);
The first electric heater is made of a conductive material and is arranged on the second electric heater side in the direction in which the first and second electric heaters are arranged, and promotes heat exchange between the second electric heater and the air. Two heat exchange fins (54, 55,... 57),
When an output voltage of the power source is applied between the first and second electrode terminals, a current is passed through the first heat exchange fin between the first and second electrode terminals to the first electric heater. The first electric heater generates heat by flowing,
When an output voltage of the power source is applied between the third and fourth electrode terminals, an electric current is supplied to the second electric heater through the second heat exchange fin between the third and fourth electrode terminals. The second electric heater generates heat by flowing,
An electric circuit in which a current flows to the first electric heater through the first heat exchange fin between the first and second electrode terminals, and the second heat exchange between the third and fourth electrode terminals. 2. The heater unit according to claim 1, wherein an electric circuit through which a current flows through the fins to the second electric heater is independent of each other.   The heater unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second electrode terminals and the third and fourth electrode terminals are arranged outside the case (11). A partition wall (11c) that divides the air passage in the case in a direction intersecting the air flow direction to form first and second air passages (40a, 40b);
The first electric heater is disposed in one of the first and second air passages,
The one of the first and second air passages, wherein the second electric heater is arranged in the other air passage other than the one air passage. The heater unit described in 1. A control device (200) for independently controlling the current flowing from the power source to the first and second electric heaters;
When one of the first and second electric heaters generates heat and the heat generation of the other electric heater is stopped, the control device (200) allows a current to flow to the one electric heater. The current value is the same as the maximum value of the total of the current values that can be supplied to the first and second electric heaters by the control device (200) when the first and second electric heaters generate heat. The heater unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the heater unit has a current value.

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