JP2019142411A - Air conditioner for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

To increase comfort of an occupant.SOLUTION: An air conditioner for a vehicle comprises a main body part for sending out conditioned air and a fixed channel and a movable channel 34D which are connected to the main body part. The fixed channel blows out air which has been sent out from the main body part via fixed blow-out parts S1, S2, S3 which are fixed in a cabin 2. The movable channel 34D comprises: a flexible duct 35D which circulates air sent out from the main body part 3A and is routed in the cabin 2; and a movable blow-out part F which blows out air sent out from the main body part at a downstream side of the duct 35D.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner that air-conditions a vehicle interior.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a device that air-conditions a vehicle interior sends out air-conditioned air from a blow-out unit installed around a passenger's face or under a foot. When the blowout part is fixed in this way, it is not possible to blow air outside the preset area.
In view of this, a technique has been proposed in which a flexible duct that can be attached and detached is connected to a fixed blowing section so that the blowing area of the wind sent from the air conditioner can be freely set (see Patent Document 1).

Utility Kaihei 06-72710

  However, the wind from the blowing part to which the flexible duct is connected as described above is not sent to the conventionally set blowing areas such as around the occupant's face and under the feet, and the comfort of the occupant is reduced instead. There is a risk of causing.

  The vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention has been developed in view of the above-described problems, and has an object of improving passenger comfort. Note that the present invention is not limited to this purpose, and is an operation and effect derived from each configuration shown in “Mode for Carrying Out the Invention” to be described later. It can be positioned as another purpose.

  (1) The vehicle air conditioner disclosed herein includes a main body that sends out conditioned air, and a fixed flow path and a free flow path that are connected to the main body. The fixed flow channel blows out the wind sent out from the main body from a fixed blow-out part installed in the passenger compartment. The flexible flow path includes a flexible duct that is circulated through the interior of the main body part and is circulated in the passenger compartment, and a wind that is sent from the main body part on the downstream side of the duct. And a free blowout part.

(2) It is preferable that the said universal blowing part has a nozzle which raises the flow velocity of the blowing wind.
(3) Furthermore, it is preferable that the nozzle is detachably provided.
(4) It is preferable that this vehicle air conditioner is equipped with the accommodating part which accommodates the said flexible flow path in the inside of a console.

(5) It is preferable that this vehicle air conditioner is provided with the attachment / detachment part which attaches / detaches the said universal blowing part. In this case, it is preferable that the detachable part is installed in the vehicle compartment.
(6) It is preferable that the said universal flow path has a damper which adjusts distribution | circulation and the interruption | blocking of the wind sent out from the said main-body part.

(7) It is preferable that the said main-body part has a cooling part which sends out the cooled wind.
(8) It is preferable that the said main-body part has a heating part which sends out the heated wind.

  According to the vehicle air conditioner of the present case, since the fixed flow path and the free flow path are branched and connected to the main body, the air conditioned from the fixed blow-off section is supplied to the preset blowing area. In addition to being able to blow out, it is also possible to blow out air that has been air-conditioned from the free blowing portion to any area. Therefore, passenger comfort can be enhanced.

It is a schematic diagram which shows an air conditioner. It is a perspective view which shows a part of vehicle interior.

A vehicle air conditioner as an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
The vehicle air conditioner of this embodiment is an air conditioner (also referred to as HVAC <Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning>) mounted on the vehicle. Here, an automobile is illustrated as a vehicle equipped with an air conditioner.
In the following embodiment, upstream and downstream are determined based on the air flow direction in the air conditioner.

[I. One Embodiment]
[1. Constitution]
Hereinafter, the configuration of the air conditioner will be described.
The air conditioner is an apparatus that blows out air by adjusting various parameters related to air conditioning such as air volume and air temperature.

First, a basic configuration for blowing out air-conditioned air from a blowing unit (fixed blowing unit) installed in a vehicle interior (hereinafter abbreviated as “vehicle compartment”) will be described. Then, the detailed structure for blowing out the air-conditioned wind from the blowing part (swivel blowing part) which can adjust a blowing location is demonstrated.
Here, “wind” means air supplied to the passenger compartment from the blowing section (so-called “outlet”). For this reason, “wind” is also referred to as “air”, and “wind” of wind is also referred to as “supply” of air.

[1.1. Basic configuration]
As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 3 includes a blower 33, heat exchangers 34 and 35 interposed in two types of heat exchange circuits 4 and 5, and various dampers D _I , D _M and D _V1. , D _V2 and D _V3 are provided. The air volume is adjusted by the blower 33, the temperature of the air is adjusted by the heat exchangers 34 and 35, and the dampers D _I , D _M , D _V1 , D _V2 and D _V3 whose opening degree is adjusted by an actuator (not shown). Wind intake and blowout destination are adjusted.

  Here, a first heat exchanger 34 that cools (heat exchanges) the air is disposed downstream of the blower 33, and a second heat exchanger 35 that heats (heat exchanges) the air is downstream of the first heat exchanger 34. Has been placed. Further, an evaporator (hereinafter, “first heat exchanger 34” is referred to as “evaporator 34”) is provided as the first heat exchanger 34, and a heater core (hereinafter, “second heat exchanger 35”) is provided as the second heat exchanger 35. Is referred to as “heater core 35”).

--Heat exchange circuit--
One of the two types of heat exchange circuits 4 and 5 is a cooling heat exchange circuit (hereinafter referred to as “cooling circuit”) 4, and the other is a heating heat exchange circuit (hereinafter referred to as “heating circuit”) 5. . An evaporator 34 is interposed in the cooling circuit 4, and a heater core 35 is interposed in the heating circuit 5.

In the cooling circuit 4, in addition to the evaporator 34, a compressor 41, a condenser 42, a receiver 43, and an evaporation valve 44 are interposed in a refrigerant flow path 40 through which the refrigerant circulates.
The compressor 41 is a pressure feeder that pumps the refrigerant. Here, a mechanical compressor 41 driven by the engine 55 is illustrated. The compressor 41 is provided with a clutch 41 a that can connect and disconnect the driving force of the engine 55. The refrigerant pumped by the compressor 41 has a higher temperature and a higher pressure than before the pumping, and flows into the condenser 42.

The condenser 42 is a condenser that cools and condenses the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant. The condenser 42 is provided with a fan 42a for promoting the condensation of the refrigerant. The refrigerant condensed by the condenser 42 flows into the receiver 43.
The receiver 43 is a tank that temporarily stores the condensed refrigerant. Furthermore, in the receiver 43, impurities in the refrigerant are removed by the strainer, and moisture in the refrigerant is removed by the desiccant. The refrigerant stored in the receiver 43 flows into the evaporation valve 44.

The evaporation valve 44 is a valve that promotes vaporization (evaporation) of the refrigerant by spraying. The refrigerant whose vaporization is promoted by the evaporation valve 44 flows into the evaporator 34.
The evaporator 34 is a cooler that cools with the latent heat of vaporization of the refrigerant. The refrigerant flowing through the evaporator 34 flows into the compressor 41 again.
When the engine 55 is automatically stopped by the idle stop control or the sailing control, the refrigerant pressure pumping by the compressor 41 is also stopped, and the cooling by the evaporator 34 is slowed down. From the viewpoint of suppressing such slowing of cooling, it is preferable to use a cold storage evaporator having an increased heat capacity for the evaporator 34.

  In the heating circuit 5, the heater core 35 and the engine 55 are interposed in the cooling water circuit 50 in which the cooling water of the engine 55 (also referred to as “LLC <Long Life Coolant>”) circulates and circulates. Yes. The cooling water whose temperature has been increased by exchanging heat with the engine 55 is radiated by the heater core 35, the temperature is lowered, and flows into the engine 55 again. That is, the cooling water heated by cooling the engine 55 repeats the heat exchange cycle cooled by heating the air of the air conditioner 3 with the heater core 35.

-Air conditioning system-
The air conditioner 3 is broadly divided into a main body 3A that sends out conditioned air and a downstream part 3D through which the wind sent from the main body 3A flows.
As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 3 </ b> A has a front portion (also referred to as “center cluster”) that defines a front portion and a lower portion at the center in the width direction of the passenger compartment 2. It is built in the space in the opposite direction).

As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 3A is provided with an air flow path 30 inside a housing 3H (housing).
The flow path 30 is provided with a blower 33 for pumping air, an evaporator 34 for exchanging heat with air, and a heater core 35.

The moisture contained in the air cooled by the evaporator 34 is condensed and removed. Therefore, the evaporator 34 can also be referred to as a “cooling unit” that cools the air sent out by the blower 33, and can also be called a “dehumidifying unit (first dehumidifying unit)” that dehumidifies the air sent out by the blower 33.
Moreover, the apparent humidity (that is, relative humidity) of the air heated by the heater core 35 decreases. Therefore, similarly to the evaporator 34, the heater core 35 can be said to be a “dehumidifying part (second dehumidifying part)” that dehumidifies the air sent out by the blower 33. The evaporator 34 and the heater core 35 dehumidify the air in the flow path 30 in cooperation.

The channel 30 is roughly divided into an upstream channel (hereinafter referred to as “upper channel”) 3U and a downstream channel (hereinafter referred to as “middle channel”) 3M with respect to the upper channel 3U.
In the upper flow path 3U, an outside air introduction path 31U that introduces outside air and an inside air introduction path 32U that introduces inside air (air of the vehicle compartment 2) merge. A blower 33 is disposed downstream of the junction.

An evaporator 34 is provided in the middle flow path 3M, and a first branch path 31M and a second branch path 32M that branch after being branched into two at the downstream of the evaporator 34 and are joined are arranged in parallel.
Further, a heater core 35 is provided in the second branch path 32M. The air that has flowed into the second branch passage 32M flows through the heating of the heater core 35. The first branch 31M is not provided with a heat exchanger, and the air cooled by the evaporator 34 flows as it is.

Two kinds of dampers D _I and D _M are arranged in the flow path 30. These dampers D _I and D _M adjust the flow path of the circulating air.
Here, the damper D _I, illustrates the D _M for swinging (opening and closing) straddling the end of the two flow paths ( "damper D 'from this is also referred to as" door "). For example, the damper D _I, D _M, adjusted opening by an actuator causes the circulating air to the other as well as blocking the flow of air in one of the two flow paths.

The confluence portion of the air introduction passage 31U and inside air introduction path 32U in the upstream path 3U, outside air switching damper D _I is provided. In the case where the opening degree of outside air switching damper D _I in a position to close the downstream end portion of the inside air introduction path 32U with opening the downstream end of the air introduction passage 31U is adjusted (see the solid line in FIG. 1), air-conditioning Outside air (air) is introduced into the device 3, and this outside air is supplied to the passenger compartment 2.

The bifurcation of the first minute branch 31M and the half branch 32M in middle passage 3M, air mix damper D _M is provided.
In the case where the opening degree of the air mixing damper D _M is adjusted to with the position closing the upstream end of the second minute branch 32M to open the upstream end of the first minute branch 31M (see the solid line in FIG. 1), All of the air cooled by the evaporator 34 bypasses the second branch path 32M and flows into the first branch path 31M. The air flowing in in this way flows out to the downstream portion 3D without being heated by the heater core 35. On the other hand, if the opening degree of the air mixing damper D _M is adjusted in position to open the upstream end of the second minute branch 32M with closing the upstream end of the first minute branch 31M (see the two-dot chain lines in FIG. 1 ), All of the air cooled by the evaporator 34 bypasses the first branch path 31M and flows into the second branch path 32M. The air that has flowed in this way is heated by the heater core 35 and then flows out to the downstream portion 3D.

The downstream portion 3D is connected to the downstream side with respect to the main body portion 3A.
The downstream portion 3D is provided with a fixed flow path 30D (down flow path) in which the blowing sections S1, S2, and S3 are installed in the passenger compartment 2 (see FIG. 2).
Here, the first lower flow path 31D, the second lower flow path 32D, and the third lower flow path 33D branched into three at the downstream portion 3D are given as examples of the fixed flow path 30D. A first blowout portion S1 is provided in the first lower flow path 31D. Similarly, the first outlet S2 is provided in the second lower channel 32D, and the third outlet S3 is provided in the third lower channel 33D.

The blowout destination of the air flowing through the first lower flow path 31D is set to the window glass W (see FIG. 2, referred to as “DEF” in FIG. 1). The blowout destination of the air flowing through the second lower flow path 32D is set around the occupant's face (referred to as “FACE” in FIG. 1), and the blowout destination of the air flowing through the third lower flow path 33D is the foot of the occupant ( In FIG. 1, it is set to “FOOT”.
The first blowing portion S1 of the first lower flow path 31D is installed below the window glass W, and the window glass W is prevented from being fogged by the air blown from the first blowing portion S1.

The second blowing section S2 of the second lower flow path 32D has a blowing area set in advance in an area where the occupant's face is assumed to be located, and is installed at a location where wind can be blown out toward the blowing area. For example, a plurality of second outlets S <b> 2 are arranged in the middle part in the vertical direction of the passenger compartment 2. In addition, the louver which can be opened and closed manually by the passenger | crew is attached to 2nd blowing part S2.
The third blowing section S3 of the third lower flow path 33D has a blowing area set in advance in an area where the occupant's feet are supposed to be located, and is installed at a location where wind can be blown out toward the blowing area.

Two blower dampers D _V1 and D _V2 are provided at branch points to the three downstream channels 31D, 32D, and 33D in the downstream portion 3D. Specifically, the first blower damper _DV1 is disposed at a branch point to the first lower flow path 31D and the second lower flow path 32D, and the second blower is provided to a branch point to the second lower flow path 32D and the third lower flow path 33D. Damper D _V2 is arranged.
When the opening degree of the blower dampers D _V1 and D _V2 is adjusted to a position where each upstream end of the first lower flow path 31D and the third lower flow path 33D is closed and the upstream end of the second lower flow path 32D is opened ( In the solid line in FIG. 1, air is blown out around the occupant's face.

[1.2. Detailed configuration]
In the downstream portion 3D, in addition to the lower flow paths 31D, 32D, and 33D to which the blowing sections S1, S2, and S3 are fixed as described above, a free flow path 34D (lower flow path) in which the blowing section F is movable is provided. . That is, in the downstream part 3D, it branches into two types, the fixed flow path 30D and the free flow path 34D, and these flow paths 30D and 34D are each connected to the main body 3A.

The free flow path 34D is provided with a third blower damper D _V3 (damper) capable of switching between air flow and blocking thereof. By opening the third blower damper D _V3 is adjusted, the air volume blown from freely flow path 34D is adjusted.
Incidentally, after closing the respective upper end portions of the first downstream passage 31D and the third lower line 33D by the first blower damper D _V1 and the second blower damper D _V2 of the second outlet portion S2 of the second downstream passage 32D If the louver attached to is closed, a flow path into which air flows only into the free flow path 34D is formed.

In addition, the flexible channel 35D is provided with a flexible duct 35D as a configuration for making the blowing portion F movable. For example, a bellows-like hose is used for the duct 35D.
The duct 35D forms part of the free flow path 34D. The wind sent out from the main body portion 3A flows through the inside of the duct 35D, and this wind is blown out from the blowing portion F on the downstream side of the duct 35D.
The duct 35D is routed in the passenger compartment 2 by the occupant, and the blowing portion F is set at an arbitrary position (free position) within a range corresponding to the length dimension of the free flow path 34D.

This free flow path 34D is provided so as to be stowable when the blowout from the blowout part F is not used (hereinafter referred to as “when not in use”), and when the blowout from the blowout part F is used (hereinafter referred to as “in use”). It is provided so that it can be taken out.
As an internal space for storing the free flow path 34D when not in use, as shown in FIG. 2, a storage portion 21 adjacent to the space in which the main body portion 3A is built is provided in front (inside) of the console 20. Yes. Furthermore, a lid 23 (lid portion) that opens and closes an opening 22 that communicates between the storage portion 21 and the vehicle compartment 2 is also provided. In use, the free flow path 34D (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) is taken out to the vehicle compartment 2 after the lid 23 is opened, and the duct 35D is routed in the vehicle compartment 2. And the blowing part F can be freely adjusted by the passenger.

The blowing portion F is provided with a nozzle N at the tip (downstream end). The nozzle N is a cylindrical member that adjusts the wind blowing mode. Here, the nozzle N which raises the flow speed of the wind which restrict | squeezes a flow path and blows off is used. For example, a point nozzle that blows air in a straight line, a flat nozzle that blows air in a flat shape, a round nozzle that blows wind in a conical shape or a pyramid shape, and the like can be used as the nozzle N.
The nozzle N is detachably provided. Therefore, if a plurality of types of nozzles N are prepared, the wind blowing mode can be changed by changing the nozzles N of the blowing unit F.

In addition, the vehicle compartment 2 is provided with an attaching / detaching portion 24 for attaching / detaching the blowing portion F of the free flow path 34D in use. That is, the blowing part F can be attached to the detachable part 24 and the blowing part F can be detached.
For example, a bifurcated attaching / detaching portion 24 protruding into the vehicle compartment 2 is provided. The blowout part F is fitted into the attachment / detachment part 24 and temporarily fixed when in use, and the blowout part F is extracted from the attachment / detachment part 24 when not in use, and the free flow path 34D is filled in the storage part 21, and the lid 23 opens 22 Is closed.

[2. Action and effect]
Since the vehicle air conditioner of the present embodiment is configured as described above, the following operations and effects can be obtained.
(1) Since the fixed flow path 30D and the free flow path 34D are branched and connected to the main body 3A, a region set in advance from the blowing portions S1, S2, and S3 installed in the passenger compartment 2 The air conditioned can be blown out, and the air conditioned air can be blown out from the movable blowing portion F in the passenger compartment 2 to any region.

If it blows from the blowing part F of the free flow path 34D, dust can be blown off and the vehicle interior 2 can be cleaned. That is, the air conditioner 3 can have a function as a blower.
If the cold air heat-exchanged by the evaporator 34 is blown out from the blowout part F, a part of the passenger compartment 2 can be cooled. Specifically, it is possible to cool a part of the body such as the occupant's knees and wrists, or to keep the refrigerated goods brought into the passenger compartment 2 cold.

If the hot air heat-exchanged by the heater core 35 is blown out from the blowing portion F, a part of the passenger compartment 2 can be heated. Specifically, it is possible to warm a part of the body such as an occupant's knees and wrists, or to keep warm an object brought into the passenger compartment 2.
As described above, it is possible to add an air conditioning function that improves the convenience of the occupant by the flexible flow path 34D while securing the conventional air conditioning function by the fixed flow path 30D. Therefore, passenger comfort can be enhanced.

(2) Since the nozzle N which raises the flow velocity of the blown-out wind is provided in the blowing part F of the free flow path 34D, it contributes to the improvement of an additional air-conditioning function. For example, wind can be blown to the pinpoint, and the function as a blower that blows away the dust in the passenger compartment 2 can be enhanced.
(3) Since this nozzle N is detachably provided, the blowing mode of the wind from the blowing unit F can be appropriately set according to the use scene of the occupant.

(4) Since the storage portion 21 for storing the free flow path 34D is provided, the duct 35D can be routed in the vehicle compartment 2 only when in use, and the free flow path 34D can be put into the storage portion 21 when not in use. In this way, the free flow path 34D can be taken out into the vehicle compartment 2 as necessary, and thereby the occupant's comfortability in the vehicle compartment 2 can be ensured.
Furthermore, the appearance of the console 20 can be ensured by closing the opening 22 that communicates the storage portion 21 and the vehicle compartment 2 with the lid 23 in a state where the free flow path 34 </ b> D is filled in the storage portion 21.

(5) Since the attaching / detaching part 24 for attaching / detaching the blowing part F of the free flow path 34D is installed in the vehicle compartment 2, the blowing part F can be used even if the occupant does not hold the free flow path 34D or the blowing part F. The position of can be fixed. That is, the blow-out destination from the blowing part F can be stopped without bothering the hand of the passenger. From this point, passenger comfort can be ensured.
(6) Since the third blowing damper D _V3 which switches between air circulation and the shielding an freely flow path 34D, it is also possible to adjust the volume of air blown out from the blowout unit F. For example, by strengthening the wind from the blowing part F, an additional air conditioning function can be improved. On the contrary, by blocking the blowing from the blowing part F, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the air volume from the other blowing parts S1, S2, S3. Therefore, the additional air conditioning function can be harmonized without impairing the conventional air conditioning function.

[II. Others]
The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and there is no intention to exclude various modifications and technical applications that are not explicitly described in this embodiment. Each configuration of the present embodiment can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. Further, it can be selected as necessary, and can be appropriately combined.

  For example, a damper capable of switching between air flow and blocking in each of the first lower flow path, the second lower flow path, and the third lower flow path may be provided. When the air flow is blocked in all of the first lower flow path, the second lower flow path, and the third lower flow path by such a damper, the air conditioned wind can be freely moved without manually closing the louver in the second downstream portion. It is possible to strengthen the wind that is sent only to the flow path and blows out from the outlet of the free flow path. Thereby, a passenger | crew's convenience can further be improved.

  Further, either the magnet or the magnetic body may be provided as the detachable part, and either the magnet or the magnetic body may be provided at the blowout part of the free flow path. In this case, the detachable portion and the blowing portion of the free flow path are configured to be detachable by magnetic force. Furthermore, if the magnet or magnetic body of the attaching / detaching part is built in a part that partitions the compartment such as a console or a door, the structure of the attaching / detaching part protruding from the compartment as described above can be omitted.

  In addition, the vehicle on which the air conditioner is mounted may be a hybrid electric vehicle using an electric motor as a drive source in addition to the engine, or may be an electric vehicle using only an electric motor as a drive source. In these hybrid electric vehicles and air conditioners mounted on electric vehicles, an electric heater is used for the heater core, and an electric compressor is used for the compressor.

2 Car compartment 20 Console 21 Storage part 22 Opening 23 Lid (lid part)
24 detachable part 3 air conditioner 3A body part 3H housing 30 flow path 3U upper flow path 31U outside air introduction path 32U inside air introduction path 3M middle flow path 31M first branch path 32M second branch path 3D downstream section 30D fixed flow path (lower flow path)
31D First lower flow path 32D Second lower flow path 33D Third lower flow path 34D Free flow path (lower flow path)
35D Duct 33 Blower 34 Evaporator (first heat exchanger, cooling unit, dehumidifying unit)
35 Heater core (second heat exchanger, heating section)
4 Cooling circuit (first heat exchange circuit)
40 Refrigerant flow path 41 Compressor 41a Clutch 42 Condenser 42a Fan 43 Receiver 44 Evaporating valve 5 Heating circuit (second heat exchange circuit)
50 Cooling water flow path 55 Engine D _I Inside / outside air switching damper D _M Air mix damper D _V1 First blowing damper D _V2 Second blowing damper D _V3 Third blowing damper (damper)
F Swivel outlet S1 First outlet (fixed outlet)
S2 Second outlet (fixed outlet)
S3 Third outlet (fixed outlet)
N nozzle W window glass

Claims (8)

A main body that sends out air-conditioned wind;
A fixed flow path that is connected to the main body portion and blows out the wind sent from the main body portion from a fixed air blowing portion installed in a passenger compartment;
A flexible duct in which the wind sent out from the main body part circulates in the interior and is routed in the passenger compartment, and a free blowing part that blows out the wind sent out from the main body part on the downstream side of the duct. And a vehicular air conditioner connected to the main body. The vehicular air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the free blowing unit includes a nozzle that increases a flow rate of the blowing air. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the nozzle is detachably provided. The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a storage unit that stores the free flow path in a console. The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an attachment / detachment portion that is installed in the vehicle compartment and attaches / detaches the universal blowout portion. The vehicular air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the universal flow path includes a damper that adjusts the flow of the wind sent from the main body and the blocking thereof. The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the main body portion includes a cooling portion that sends out cooled wind. The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the main body includes a heating unit that sends out heated wind.

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