JP2011168150A - Air conditioner for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner for a vehicle capable of forcibly discharging pollen an exhaust gas, an odor gas, etc. which stagnates in an outside air introducing passage, while air conditioning a cabin. <P>SOLUTION: The air conditioner for a vehicle, which can switch the operations of an outside air introducing mode, in which outside air is introduced from outside the vehicle, and an inside air circulating mode, in which inside air is introduced from the cabin, includes: an outside air detection sensor 3 arranged in the outside air introducing passage 10; a discharge duct 50 connected to the outside air introducing passage 10 at the downstream side of the outside air detection sensor 3; an exhaust fan 9 arranged on the discharge duct 50; and a controller 60, which changes the operation from the outside air introducing mode to the inside air circulating mode and drives the exhaust fan 9 when the outside air detection sensor 3 performs predetermined detection during the outside air introducing mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner for a vehicle having an outside air introduction mode and an inside air circulation mode.

In automotive air conditioners, the concentration of exhaust gas, odor gas, pollen, etc. contained in the outside air is detected by various sensors, and if these concentrations in the outside air are higher than a predetermined value, the damper is automatically Is known to switch from the outside air introduction mode to the inside air circulation mode (for example, Patent Document 1).
According to such an air conditioner, exhaust gas or the like can be prevented from being introduced into the vehicle, and the vehicle interior space can be kept clean.

Patent Document 2 describes an air conditioner provided with a ventilation blower having a suction port in an internal space of an instrumental panel (instrument panel) in addition to a main air conditioning blower.
According to such an air conditioner, the stagnant air in the inner space of the instrument panel and the stagnant air in the interior space of the instrument panel are forcibly exhausted to the outside of the vehicle, or the outside air is introduced into the inner space of the instrument panel. Both the staying air can be supplied to the inside of the vehicle, and the temperature of the internal space of the instrument panel and the temperature inside the vehicle that have risen due to solar radiation during parking can be efficiently reduced.

Further, Patent Document 3 provides a ventilation flow path for communicating between the inside air introduction flow path and the outside air introduction flow path, and a ventilation blower (ventilation fan device) that sends the air in the inside air introduction flow path to the outside air introduction flow path ) Is provided in the ventilation channel.
According to such an air conditioner, the air in the passenger compartment can be efficiently discharged out of the vehicle by the ventilation blower, and the temperature inside the vehicle raised by solar radiation during parking can be efficiently lowered as in the case of Patent Document 2.

JP 2008-302790 A JP 2006-44418 A JP-A-62-286821

  However, in an air conditioner like Patent Document 1, for example, after a sensor detects exhaust gas or the like and switches from the outside air introduction mode to the inside air circulation mode, the exhaust gas or the like stagnated in the outside air introduction path upstream of the damper Cannot be actively discharged to the outside. For this reason, even if the outside air is already clean, it takes a relatively long time until the inside of the outside air introduction path becomes clean, and even when priority is given to air conditioning in the outside air introduction mode, the inside air circulation mode is switched to the outside air introduction mode. Cannot be switched in a timely manner.

  On the other hand, by providing a ventilation blower in addition to the main air conditioning blower as in the air conditioners of Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, exhaust gas or the like stagnated in the outside air introduction path upstream of the damper is forcibly exhausted. It will be possible.

  However, in the air conditioners described in Patent Literature 2 and Patent Literature 3, the ventilation blower is driven because the ventilation blower is provided for the purpose of lowering the temperature of the internal space of the instrument panel and the temperature inside the vehicle that has been raised by solar radiation during parking During this time, not only the outside air introduction mode but also the inside air circulation mode cannot be air-conditioned.

  Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, the present invention enables exhaust air, odor gas, pollen, etc., stagnated in the outside air introduction path to be forcibly discharged while air-conditioning the interior of the vehicle. If the outside air changes into a clean environment during the mode, the purpose is to switch to the outside air introduction mode in a timely manner so that the passenger compartment can be air-conditioned.

The present invention made to achieve the above object is an air conditioner for vehicle capable of switching between an outside air introduction mode for introducing outside air from the outside of the vehicle and an inside air circulation mode for introducing inside air from the passenger compartment.
An outside air detection sensor arranged in the outside air introduction path;
A discharge duct connected to the outside air introduction path on the downstream side of the outside air detection sensor;
An exhaust fan arranged in the exhaust duct;
When the outside air detection sensor performs a predetermined detection during the outside air introduction mode, the outside air introduction mode is switched from the outside air introduction mode to the inside air circulation mode, and the control device drives the exhaust fan;
It is characterized by comprising.

As a further preferable feature, the vehicle air conditioner of the present invention includes:
“If the outside air detection sensor does not perform a predetermined detection during the inside air circulation mode, the control device switches from the inside air circulation mode to the outside air introduction mode.”
"The control device has means for notifying the outside air detection sensor when the outside air detection sensor does not perform a predetermined detection during the inside air circulation mode."
“The outside air detection sensor includes a sensor that detects at least one of exhaust gas, odor gas, and pollen”.

  According to the air conditioner of the present invention, it is possible to forcibly exhaust exhaust gas, odor gas, pollen, etc. that are stagnant in the outside air introduction path by driving the exhaust fan without stopping the air conditioning in the passenger compartment, and the outside air introduction mode. If the outside air changes to a clean environment and the outside air detection sensor placed in the outside air introduction path no longer detects odorous gas, the outside air introduction mode can be immediately switched to Proper air conditioning.

It is a principal part schematic diagram of the vehicle air conditioner which concerns on the example of 1st embodiment of this invention, and has shown the state of the external air introduction mode. It is a principal part schematic diagram of the vehicle air conditioner which concerns on the example of 1st embodiment of this invention, and has shown the state of the inside air circulation mode. It is a principal part schematic diagram of the vehicle air conditioner which concerns on the example of 1st embodiment of this invention, and is a figure which shows the state which driven the exhaust fan during the inside air circulation mode. It is a principal part schematic diagram of the vehicle air conditioner which concerns on the example of 2nd embodiment of this invention, and is a figure which shows the state which driven the exhaust fan during the inside air circulation mode.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a main part of a vehicle air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and shows a state of an outside air introduction mode.
As shown in FIG. 1, in the vehicle air conditioner 100 of this example, the outside air introduction path 10 for introducing outside air from the outside air intake 1 a and the inside air in the vehicle interior are introduced from the inside air intake 2 as ventilation paths. An inside air introduction path 20, an inside / outside air introduction path 30, an air supply duct 40, and a discharge duct 50 are provided.

In the outside air introduction path 10, an outside air detection sensor 3 is provided in the vicinity of the outside air inlet 1a. The outside air detection sensor 3 is composed of a single sensor or a plurality of sensors, and detects exhaust gas in the outside air introduction path 10, odor gas due to livestock or fertilizer, pollen, and the like.
In addition, the structure of these sensors is not specifically limited, A well-known thing can be used.

  A mode switching damper 4 for switching between the outside air introduction mode and the inside air circulation mode is provided at the junction of the outside air introduction path 10 and the inside air introduction path 20.

An air conditioning blower 5 is provided in the inside / outside air introduction path 30 located downstream of the mode switching damper 4, and the air supply duct 40 on the downstream side of the air conditioning blower 5 has a filter unit comprising a dust collection filter and a deodorizing filter. 6 and an evaporator 7 are provided.
When the air-conditioning blower 5 is driven, the temperature of the purified air that has passed through the filter unit 6 is adjusted by contacting the evaporator 7 and exchanging heat, and is supplied from the air supply port 8 into the vehicle interior. It has become.

The discharge duct 50 has one end connected to the outside air inlet 1 b and the other end connected to the outside air introduction path 10 on the downstream side of the outside air detection sensor 3 and on the upstream side of the mode switching damper 4.
By connecting one end of the discharge duct 50 to the outside air inlet 1b as in this example, the discharge duct 50 can also serve as a part of the outside air introduction path in the outside air introduction mode.

A discharge fan 9 is provided in the discharge duct 50.
It should be noted that a damper may be provided at a connection portion between the outside air introduction path 10 and the discharge duct 50 and the outside air introduction path 10 and the discharge duct 50 may be communicated only when the discharge fan 9 is operated. However, in this case, the discharge duct 50 cannot serve as a part of the outside air introduction path.

In the vehicle air conditioner 100 of this example, as shown in FIG. 1, the mode switching damper 4 drives the air conditioner blower 5 with the outside air introduction path 10 opened and the inside air introduction path 20 closed, so that the outside air is discharged. Air conditioning in the outside air introduction mode is performed in the passenger compartment.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the mode switching damper 4 drives the air-conditioning blower 5 with the inside air introduction path 20 opened and the outside air introduction path 10 closed, so that the air in the passenger compartment is circulated and the inside air circulation mode. Air conditioning is performed.

  The control device 60 can control the opening / closing operation of the mode switching damper 4 based on the detection signal of the outside air detection sensor 3. That is, when the outside air detection sensor 3 detects exhaust gas, odor gas, pollen or the like exceeding a preset value (concentration, etc.) during the outside air introduction mode of FIG. 1, the control device 60 operates the mode switching damper 4. Then, the outside air introduction path 10 is closed and the inside air introduction path 20 is opened to switch to the inside air circulation mode of FIG.

  In addition, when the outside air detection sensor 3 detects exhaust gas, odor gas, pollen, or the like exceeding a preset value during the outside air introduction mode, the control device 60 switches from the outside air introduction mode to the inside air circulation mode, and FIG. As shown, the discharge fan 9 can be driven continuously or intermittently.

  There is basically no problem with the direction in which the exhaust fan 9 blows, but when the outside air detection sensor 3 is a highly directional sensor, the air flow in the outside air introduction path 10 is in the same direction as the outside air introduction mode. It is preferable to do this.

  In the vehicle air conditioner 100 of the present invention, the other end of the discharge duct 50 is connected to the outside air introduction path 10 on the downstream side of the outside air detection sensor 3 and on the upstream side of the mode switching damper 4, as shown in FIG. When the exhaust fan 9 is driven in the inside air circulation mode, the inside of the outside air introduction path 10 where the outside air detection sensor 3 is arranged is ventilated by outside air, and the following effects are obtained.

For example, there is a demand for a user who prefers the outside air introduction mode over the inside air circulation mode to air-condition in the outside air introduction mode as much as possible if the outside air is clean.
However, in the conventional air conditioner, since the odor gas etc. stagnating in the outside air introduction path 10 cannot be forcibly discharged outside while performing the air conditioning in the inside air circulation mode, the outside air is already in a clean state. However, it takes a relatively long time until the inside of the outside air introduction path 10 is cleaned, and the outside air detection sensor 3 cannot accurately detect the state of the outside air.

On the other hand, in the vehicle air conditioner 100 of the present invention, when the exhaust fan 9 is driven during the internal air circulation mode, the exhaust fan 9 is connected to the exhaust duct 50 connected to the external air introduction path 10 on the downstream side of the external air detection sensor 3. Therefore, the outside air introduction path 10 is forcibly ventilated with new outside air.
That is, in the vehicle air conditioner of the present invention, the outside air detection sensor 3 can always accurately detect the state of the outside air while running while performing the inside air circulation mode air conditioning.
Therefore, when the outside air detection sensor 3 does not detect exhaust gas, odor gas, pollen or the like exceeding a preset value during the inside air circulation mode, the control device 60 switches from the inside air circulation mode to the outside air introduction mode. By setting so as to control the opening / closing operation of the switching damper 3, it is possible to immediately switch to the outside air introduction mode when the outside air changes to a clean environment, and it is possible to meet the above user's demands.
Note that when the inside air circulation mode is switched to the outside air introduction mode, the exhaust fan 9 is controlled to stop.

  In the vehicle air conditioner of the present invention, when the outside air detection sensor 3 does not detect exhaust gas, odor gas, pollen or the like exceeding a preset value during the inside air circulation mode, it is automatically controlled by the control device 60 as described above. In addition to switching from the inside air circulation mode to the outside air introduction mode, the controller 60 may simply notify the clean state of the outside air by blinking a lamp or the like, and the user may manually switch the mode.

  Thus, according to the vehicle air conditioner of the present invention, pollen, exhaust gas, odorous gas, etc. that are stagnant in the outside air introduction path 10 are forcibly discharged while performing air conditioning in the vehicle interior (inside air circulation mode). In addition, after switching from the outside air introduction mode to the inside air circulation mode, when the outside air changes to a clean environment, the outside air introduction mode can be switched automatically or manually and the vehicle interior can be appropriately air-conditioned.

(Second embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a main part of the vehicle air conditioner 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and shows a state in which the exhaust fan is driven during the inside air circulation mode. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part corresponding to the vehicle air conditioner 100 which concerns on 1st embodiment, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the vehicle air conditioner 100 according to the first embodiment, one end of the discharge duct 50 is connected to the outside air inlet 1b. However, in the vehicle air conditioner 200 according to the present embodiment, the discharge duct 50a is an engine. It is open in the room.

  Also in the vehicle air conditioner 200 according to the present embodiment, the same effect as that of the previous vehicle air conditioner 100 is obtained, and it is not necessary to route the exhaust duct to the outside air intake, so that an installation space is secured. Becomes easier.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and appropriate modifications and addition of parts can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a, 1b Outside air inlet 2 Inside air inlet 3 Outside air detection sensor 4 Mode change damper 5 Air-conditioning blower 6 Filter unit 7 Evaporator 8 Air supply port 9 Exhaust fan 10 Outside air introduction path 20 Inside air introduction path 30 Inside / outside air introduction path 40 For supply of air Duct 50, 50a Discharge duct 60 Control device 100, 200 Car air conditioner

Claims (4)

In a vehicle air conditioner capable of switching operation between an outside air introduction mode for introducing outside air from outside the vehicle and an inside air circulation mode for introducing inside air from the interior of the vehicle,
An outside air detection sensor arranged in the outside air introduction path;
A discharge duct connected to the outside air introduction path on the downstream side of the outside air detection sensor;
An exhaust fan arranged in the exhaust duct;
When the outside air detection sensor performs a predetermined detection during the outside air introduction mode, the outside air introduction mode is switched from the outside air introduction mode to the inside air circulation mode, and the control device drives the exhaust fan;
A vehicle air conditioner comprising:   2. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the control device switches from the inside air circulation mode to the outside air introduction mode when the outside air detection sensor does not perform predetermined detection during the inside air circulation mode.   2. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the control device includes means for notifying the outside air detection sensor when the outside air detection sensor does not perform predetermined detection during the inside air circulation mode. The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the outside air detection sensor includes a sensor that detects at least one of exhaust gas, odor gas, and pollen.

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