JP2020104693A - Powder dust detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress a variation of a wind velocity in a sensing point, in powder dust detection device for generating an airflow at the sensing point of a powder dust sensor by using an airflow in an air-conditioning unit.SOLUTION: An opening adjustment device 42 adjusts a passage opening of an adjustment objective passage 421a so as to suppress a variation of a wind volume flowing in the adjustment objective passage 421a by wind pressure P1 which is received by a passage damper 421. Therefore, the opening adjustment device 42 autonomously operates by the wind pressure P1 which is received by the passage damper 421, and the variation of the wind volume of the adjustment objective passage 421a can be suppressed without the necessity of electrical control. Then, since a wind velocity of a sensor passage being a sensing point of a powder dust sensor becomes low as the wind volume of the adjustment objective passage 421a is small, a variation of a wind velocity of the sensor passage can be also suppressed by suppressing the variation of the wind volume of the adjustment objective passage 421a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a dust detection device that detects dust concentration using an optical dust sensor.

Patent Literature 1 describes an air sorting device that performs a sorting process of blowing straw and the like to sort grains by blowing air from a blower. The air sorting device of Patent Document 1 has a pressure sensor provided in the air flow passage and a variable vane provided at the suction port of the blower. In this wind sorting device, the opening degree of the variable vanes is controlled according to the detection value of the pressure sensor, and the wind velocity of the sorting wind that flows through the air flow passage blows out only the straw chips and extracts only the grains by this control. It is kept within a possible predetermined wind speed range.

JP 2001-327923 A

By the way, when detecting the dust concentration in the air using an optical dust sensor, if the air does not flow at a constant wind speed in the sensor optical detection part, which is the sensing part of the dust sensor, the dust sensor will measure the dust concentration accurately. It cannot be detected well.

For example, if the wind flow in the sensor optical detection portion is too slow, particles such as dust in the air do not flow, and the dust sensor cannot detect the dust concentration. On the other hand, if the wind flow in the sensor optical detection portion is too fast, the dust sensor cannot optically capture particles in the air, and in this case also, the dust sensor cannot detect the dust concentration. Therefore, in the dust detection device that detects the dust concentration using the optical dust sensor, it is necessary to suppress the fluctuation of the wind speed in the sensor optical detection portion.

Therefore, the inventors considered using the technique described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 in order to set the wind speed in the sensor optical detection portion to a desired wind speed and suppress the fluctuation of the wind speed. However, when the technique of Patent Document 1 is used, a sensor for detecting the wind speed, a control device for controlling the actuator and the like by using the detection value of the sensor, and the like are required. This will complicate the structure and increase the mounting space. As a result of detailed study by the inventors, the above has been found out.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-illustrated circumstances and the like, and in a dust detection device that causes an air flow at a sensing location of a dust sensor by utilizing the air flow in an air conditioning unit, the wind speed at the sensing location. The purpose is to suppress the fluctuation of.

In order to achieve the above object, the dust detection device according to claim 1,
The adjustment target passage (421a) has a wind pressure part (421) configured to receive the wind pressure (P1) of the air flowing through the adjustment target passage, and the adjustment target is adjusted by the wind pressure so as to suppress fluctuations in the air flow rate of the air flowing through the adjustment target passage. An opening adjustment device (42) for adjusting the passage opening of the passage,
An optical dust sensor (34) for detecting a dust concentration of air in a sensor passage (341) through which air flows,
Air flows through the adjustment target passage by the air flow of the unit internal passage (11a) formed in the air conditioning unit (10) for air conditioning the vehicle interior,
In the sensor passage, air flows along with the air flowing in the adjustment target passage,
The wind speed of the air flowing through the sensor passage decreases as the air volume of the air flowing through the adjustment target passage decreases.

As described above, the opening degree adjusting device adjusts the passage opening degree of the adjustment target passage so as to suppress the fluctuation of the air volume of the air flowing through the adjustment target passage by the wind pressure received by the wind pressure receiving portion. Therefore, the opening degree adjusting device operates autonomously by the wind pressure received by the wind pressure part, and can suppress the fluctuation of the air flow rate in the adjustment target passage without requiring electrical control.

Then, as described above, the wind speed of the sensor passage becomes smaller as the air volume of the adjustment target passage becomes smaller. Therefore, if the fluctuation of the air volume of the adjustment target passage is suppressed, the fluctuation of the wind speed of the sensor passage is also suppressed. From this, it is possible to suppress the fluctuation of the wind speed in the sensor passage, which is the sensing location of the dust sensor, without requiring a sensor or a control device for electrically controlling the operation of the opening adjustment device. is there.

Note that, as described above, electrical control is not essential in order to establish the configuration that suppresses the fluctuation of the air flow rate in the adjustment target passage, but it is possible to add the electrical control.

The reference numerals in parentheses attached to the respective components and the like indicate an example of a correspondence relationship between the components and the like and specific components and the like described in the embodiments described later.

In 1st Embodiment, it is sectional drawing which showed typically the schematic structure of the dust detection apparatus and the air conditioning unit to which the dust detection apparatus is attached. It is sectional drawing which expanded the II section of FIG. 1, and showed the schematic structure of the opening adjustment apparatus typically. In 2nd Embodiment, it is sectional drawing which showed the schematic structure of the dust detection apparatus and the air conditioning unit to which the dust detection apparatus is attached typically, Comprising: It is a figure corresponding to FIG. It is sectional drawing which expanded the IV section of FIG. 3, and showed the schematic structure of the opening adjustment device typically, and is a figure corresponded to FIG. In 3rd Embodiment, it is sectional drawing which showed typically the schematic structure of the dust detection apparatus and the air conditioning unit to which the dust detection apparatus is attached, and is a figure corresponded to FIG. It is sectional drawing which expanded the VI section of FIG. 5, and showed the schematic structure of the opening adjustment device typically, and is a figure corresponded to FIG. In the fourth embodiment, the II part of FIG. 1 is enlarged to schematically show the schematic configuration of the opening degree adjusting device, and also the connection relationship between the elastic portion of the opening degree adjusting device and the door mechanism of the air conditioning unit is schematically shown. 3 is a cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 3 and corresponds to FIG. 2. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing in detail an elastic portion of the opening degree adjusting device of FIG. 7. In the fifth embodiment, a cross section schematically showing the schematic configuration of the opening adjustment device by enlarging the portion II of FIG. 1 and also showing the connection relationship between the operating portion and the elastic portion of the opening adjustment device. FIG. 8 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 7. It is sectional drawing which showed typically the schematic structure of the dust detection apparatus and the air conditioning unit to which the dust detection apparatus is attached in 6th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which expanded the XI section of FIG. 10, and showed the schematic structure of the air passage and opening adjustment device in a dust detection apparatus typically.

Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the following embodiments, the same or equivalent parts are designated by the same reference numerals in the drawings.

(First embodiment)
The dust detection device 32 of the present embodiment uses the air flow in the unit internal passage 11a formed inside the air conditioning unit 10 to generate an air flow at the sensing location of the dust sensor 34. Therefore, first, a schematic configuration of the air conditioning unit 10 will be described.

The air conditioning unit 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a vehicle air conditioning unit that air-conditions a vehicle interior. The air conditioning unit 10 is installed, for example, in an instrument panel arranged on the front side of the vehicle in the vehicle compartment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning unit 10 has an air conditioning case 11 and a blower 12, and additionally has an evaporator (not shown), a heater core, a plurality of doors, etc., which are provided in the air conditioning case 11. There is.

The air conditioning case 11 forms an outer shell of the air conditioning unit 10, and inside the air conditioning case 11, an in-unit passage 11a through which air flows is formed. An evaporator, which is a cooler for cooling air, and a heater core, which is a heater for heating air, are arranged in the unit internal passage 11a.

Further, the blower 12 has a blower fan and a blower motor that rotates the blower fan. The blower 12 sucks the inside air, which is the air inside the vehicle compartment, or the outside air, which is the air outside the vehicle compartment, by the rotation of the blowing fan, and blows out the sucked air. As a result, the blower 12 causes the air in the unit internal passage 11a to flow in one direction as indicated by arrow A1. Then, the air conditioning unit 10 controls the temperature of the air flowing in the unit internal passage 11a by the evaporator and the heater core, and blows the temperature-controlled air into the passenger compartment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the dust detection device 32 includes a dust sensor 34, an aspirator 36, a first pipe portion 38, a second pipe portion 40, and an opening degree adjustment device 42.

A first air passage 381 through which air flows is formed inside the first pipe portion 38. The first air passage 381 is connected to the aspirator 36 at the air flow downstream side of the first air passage 381.

Further, the first air passage 381 has an inlet 381 a into which air flows from the outside of the first air passage 381, at the air flow upstream end of the first air passage 381. The first pipe portion 38 is provided so as to penetrate the air conditioning case 11, and is fixed to the air conditioning case 11, for example. Therefore, the upstream portion of the first pipe portion 38 including the inflow port 381a is arranged in the unit internal passage 11a.

The inflow port 381a of the first air passage 381 is connected to the unit internal passage 11a, and the air flows into the inflow port 381a from the unit internal passage 11a. Specifically, the inflow port 381a of the first air passage 381 is opened in the unit internal passage 11a in a direction facing the air flow of the unit internal passage 11a flowing as indicated by arrow A1.

As a result, a part of the air in the unit internal passage 11a blown by the blower 12 flows into the inflow port 381a of the first air passage 381 as indicated by arrow A2. That is, the first air passage 381 is a conduit for introducing a part of the air flowing through the in-unit passage 11 a into the aspirator 36. Then, in the first air passage 381, air flows in one direction by the air flow in the in-unit passage 11a with the inlet 381a side as the air flow upstream side. In the present embodiment, the air flow in the first air passage 381 is referred to as the aspirator wind flow. Further, in the present embodiment, the inflow port 381a of the first air passage 381 is arranged on the air flow downstream side of the blower 12 in the in-unit passage 11a.

Further, the first air passage 381 includes an adjustment target passage 421a in which a passage damper 421 of the opening adjustment device 42 described later is arranged.

The second pipe portion 40 is arranged outside the air conditioning unit 10 in the vehicle compartment and is fixed to the air conditioning case 11, for example. A second air passage 401 through which air flows is formed inside the second pipe portion 40. The second air passage 401 is connected to the aspirator 36 on the air flow downstream side of the second air passage 401.

Further, the second air passage 401 has an inflow port 401 a into which air flows from the outside of the second air passage 401, at the air flow upstream end of the second air passage 401. Since the inflow port 401a of the second air passage 401 is open to the inside of the vehicle compartment, the inside air is introduced into the second air passage 401 through the inflow port 401a as indicated by arrow A3. In the present embodiment, the air flow in the second air passage 401 is called the sensor wind flow.

An inside air sensor 44 is provided at the inflow port 401a of the second air passage 401. The inside air sensor 44 detects the temperature of the inside air flowing into the inflow port 401a of the second air passage 401.

The aspirator 36 is arranged outside the air conditioning unit 10 in the vehicle compartment, and is fixed to the air conditioning case 11, for example. The aspirator 36 sucks air from the second air passage 401 by the flow of air introduced from the first air passage 381. More specifically, the aspirator 36 generates a negative pressure by the flow of air introduced into the aspirator 36 from the first air passage 381, and the negative pressure sucks the air from the second air passage 401 into the aspirator 36. .. Then, the aspirator 36 generates an air flow (that is, a sensor wind flow indicated by an arrow A3) in the second air passage 401 by sucking the air.

Further, the aspirator 36 mixes the air introduced from the first air passage 381 with the air introduced from the second air passage 401, and discharges the mixed air into the vehicle interior.

The dust sensor 34 is a dust sensor that detects the dust concentration by a light scattering method, that is, an optical dust sensor. That is, the dust sensor 34 includes a light source and a light receiving element, and detects the scattered light by the light receiving element to detect the dust concentration.

Specifically, the dust sensor 34 is provided with a sensor passage 341 through which air flows, and the dust sensor 34 is a sensor for detecting the dust concentration of air in the sensor passage 341 which is a sensing location. For example, the sensor passage 341 is formed inside the dust sensor 34.

The dust sensor 34 is provided in the middle of the second air passage 401. Therefore, the sensor passage 341 of the dust sensor 34 is included in the second air passage 401, and the air introduced from the inflow port 401a of the second air passage 401 into the second air passage 401 passes through the sensor passage 341 to the aspirator 36. Is sucked.

Therefore, as the air flows through the first air passage 381, the suction action of the aspirator 36 causes the air to flow through the sensor passage 341. In other words, due to the suction action of the aspirator 36, air flows through the sensor passage 341 as the air flows through the adjustment target passage 421a that constitutes a part of the first air passage 381. Further, since the air flow in the sensor passage 341 is due to the suction action of the aspirator 36, the wind speed of the air flowing in the sensor passage 341 becomes smaller as the air volume of the air flowing in the adjustment target passage 421a becomes smaller. The air volume is the volume of air moving in the pipe per unit time. Therefore, for example, in a portion of the first air passage 381 where the passage cross-sectional area does not change, if the air volume of the air flowing through the first air passage 381 is constant, the air velocity of the air is also constant.

Further, since the second pipe portion 40 is arranged outside the air conditioning unit 10 inside the vehicle compartment, the dust sensor 34 is also arranged outside the air conditioning unit 10 inside the vehicle compartment in the same manner as this.

The opening adjustment device 42 has a passage damper 421 arranged in the adjustment target passage 421a through which air flows, and an elastic portion 422 connected to the passage damper 421.

Since the adjustment target passage 421a is an air passage that constitutes a part of the first air passage 381, air flows through the adjustment target passage 421a by the air flow of the in-unit passage 11a. Then, all the air flowing to the aspirator 36 through the first air passage 381 also passes through the adjustment target passage 421a. For example, since the adjustment target passage 421a is located near the inflow port 381a of the first air passage 381, the passage damper 421 is arranged outside the aspirator 36.

The passage damper 421 is a wind pressure part configured to receive the wind pressure P1 of the air flowing through the adjustment target passage 421a. Specifically, the passage damper 421 is urged by the wind pressure P1 so as to operate toward the side that reduces the passage opening degree of the adjustment subject passage 421a.

Then, the opening degree adjusting device 42 adjusts the passage opening degree of the adjustment target passage 421a by the wind pressure P1 received by the passage damper 421 so as to suppress the fluctuation of the air volume of the air flowing through the adjustment target passage 421a. Here, since the passage opening degree of the adjustment target passage 421a is, in other words, the opening degree of the adjustment target passage 421a, reducing the passage opening degree means that air in the adjustment target passage 421a can pass through. To reduce the cross-sectional area Sv.

Specifically, the passage damper 421 is a rotating door mechanism that rotates about one axis as indicated by an arrow AD, and opens and closes the adjustment target passage 421a in accordance with the rotating operation. That is, the passage damper 421 is configured to be able to increase or decrease the passage opening degree of the adjustment target passage 421a. Since the passage damper 421 receives the wind pressure P1 of the air flowing through the adjustment target passage 421a, the stronger the wind pressure P1 is, the stronger the air pressure P1 is urged toward the side that reduces the passage opening degree.

The elastic portion 422 of the opening adjustment device 42 has an elastic portion one end 422a and an elastic portion other end 422b, and is elastically deformed as the distance between the elastic portion one end 422a and the elastic portion other end 422b is expanded and contracted. To do. The elastic portion 422 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or a spring.

Further, the elastic portion one end 422a is immovable relative to the first pipe portion 38, and is fixed to, for example, the air conditioning case 11. On the other hand, the other end 422b of the elastic portion is connected to the passage damper 421. Then, the passage damper 421 displaces the other end 422b of the elastic portion so as to move away from the one end 422a of the elastic portion as the passage damper 421 moves toward the side of reducing the passage opening degree of the adjustment target passage 421a. That is, as the passage damper 421 moves toward the side of reducing the passage opening degree of the adjustment target passage 421a, the passage damper 421 expands the both-end distance between the elastic portion one end 422a and the elastic portion other end 422b.

Therefore, the elastic portion 422 strongly urges the passage damper 421 toward the side of increasing the passage opening degree of the adjustment target passage 421a as the elastic portion 422 is elastically deformed in such a direction that the distance between both ends of the elastic portion 422 expands. That is, as the passage damper 421 decreases the passage opening degree of the adjustment target passage 421a, the elastic portion 422 strongly urges the passage damper 421 toward the side of increasing the passage opening degree by elastic deformation of the elastic portion 422.

In this way, the elastic portion 422 biases the passage damper 421 toward the side of increasing the passage opening degree of the adjustment subject passage 421a, as indicated by the arrow Pe. For example, the elastic deformation amount of the elastic portion 422 is minimum in the fully opened state where the passage opening degree of the adjustment target passage 421a is maximized, but even in the fully opened state, the elastic portion 422 is pulled and elastically deformed. Is held. That is, even in the fully opened state of the adjustment target passage 421a, the elastic portion 422 urges the passage damper 421 toward the side of increasing the passage opening degree of the adjustment target passage 421a.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the opening adjustment device 42 opens the passage of the adjustment target passage 421a by the wind pressure P1 received by the passage damper 421 so as to suppress the fluctuation of the air volume of the air flowing through the adjustment target passage 421a. Adjust the degree. Therefore, the opening adjustment device 42 operates autonomously by the wind pressure P1 received by the passage damper 421, and can suppress the fluctuation of the air volume of the adjustment target passage 421a without requiring electrical control.

Since the wind speed of the sensor passage 341 of the dust sensor 34 decreases as the air volume of the adjustment target passage 421a decreases, if the fluctuation of the air volume of the adjustment target passage 421a is suppressed, the fluctuation of the wind speed of the sensor passage 341 is also suppressed. .. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the fluctuation of the wind speed in the sensor passage 341, which is the sensing location of the dust sensor 34, without requiring a sensor or a control device for electrically controlling the operation of the opening adjustment device 42. Is possible.

For example, if the opening adjustment device 42 is not provided, if the airflow in the unit internal passage 11a indicated by the arrow A1 has a high wind speed, the air volume of the adjustment target passage 421a increases accordingly. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the opening adjustment device 42 is provided, even if the air flow in the unit internal passage 11a has a high wind speed, the change in the air volume of the adjustment target passage 421a causes the opening adjustment device 42 to change. The air volume of the adjustment target passage 421a can be kept constant.

By suppressing the fluctuation of the air flow rate in the adjustment target passage 421a in this manner, the fluctuation of the wind speed in the sensor passage 341 becomes difficult. Therefore, the fluctuation of the sensor output value of the dust sensor 34 due to the fluctuation of the wind speed in the sensor passage 341 is also suppressed, and the correction amount for the sensor output value can be reduced. As a result, the accuracy of the dust concentration detected by the dust detection device 32 is improved.

Further, as described above, since the opening degree adjusting device 42 can suppress the fluctuation of the air volume of the adjustment target passage 421a without requiring the electrical control, for example, the pressure required for the electrical control is It is possible to reduce parts such as sensors. As a result, the mountability of the dust detection device 32 on the vehicle can be improved, and the cost of the dust detection device 32 can be reduced. Further, since an electric actuator for operating the passage damper 421 and a control device for controlling the electric actuator are not necessary, the cost of the dust detection device 32 can be reduced also by this.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the passage damper 421 of the opening adjustment device 42 is configured to be able to increase/decrease the passage opening of the adjustment target passage 421a, and as the wind pressure P1 received by the passage damper 421 is increased, the passage opening is increased. Is strongly urged by the wind pressure P1. Further, the elastic portion 422 of the opening adjustment device 42 is connected to the passage damper 421. Then, the elastic portion 422 strongly urges the passage damper 421 by the elastic deformation of the elastic portion 422 toward the side where the passage opening degree increases as the passage damper 421 decreases. Therefore, it is possible to realize the function of suppressing the fluctuation of the air volume of the air flowing through the adjustment target passage 421a with a simple structure utilizing the elastic deformation of the elastic portion 422.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the first air passage 381 and the second air passage 401 are connected to the aspirator 36, respectively. Then, the aspirator 36 sucks air from the second air passage 401 by the flow of air introduced from the first air passage 381, and generates an air flow in the second air passage 401 by sucking the air. The first air passage 381 has an inlet 381a connected to the in-unit passage 11a and into which air flows from the in-unit passage 11a, at the air flow upstream end of the first air passage 381. Further, the sensor passage 341 is included in the second air passage 401, and the adjustment target passage 421a constitutes a part of the first air passage 381.

Accordingly, when the aspirator 36 is provided to generate the air flow in the sensor passage 341 by utilizing the air flow in the air conditioning unit 10, the opening adjustment device 42 can suppress the fluctuation of the wind speed of the sensor passage 341. It is possible.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, points different from the first embodiment described above will be mainly described. Further, the same or equivalent portions as those of the above-described embodiment will be omitted or simplified for the description. This also applies to the description of the embodiments below.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the installation location of the opening adjustment device 42.

Specifically, the opening adjustment device 42 is provided in the aspirator 36. Then, in the aspirator 36, the passage through which the air in the first air passage 381 is an adjustment target passage 421a in which the passage damper 421 is arranged. Further, the passage 421a to be adjusted in the aspirator 36 is arranged on the upstream side of the air flow from the confluence portion where the air flow from the first air passage 381 and the air flow from the second air passage 401 merge.

Therefore, the passage damper 421 of the opening adjustment device 42 is different from that of the first embodiment in that it is provided in the aspirator 36, but the passage damper 421 has a function of restricting the air flow of the first air passage 381. The same as in the first embodiment.

If it is understood that a part of the first air passage 381 connected to the aspirator 36 on the downstream side of the air flow extends into the aspirator 36, the adjustment target passage 421a belongs to the aspirator 36 of the first air passage 381. It can be understood that it constitutes a part of the section.

Further, the elastic portion one end 422a is immovable relative to the aspirator 36, and is fixed to the air conditioning case 11 or the aspirator 36, for example.

This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the above description. Then, in the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the first embodiment, which is achieved by the configuration common to the first embodiment.

(Third Embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, points different from the first embodiment described above will be mainly described.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the installation location of the opening adjustment device 42.

Specifically, the passage damper 421 of the opening adjustment device 42 is arranged in the second air passage 401. Therefore, the adjustment target passage 421a in which the passage damper 421 is arranged constitutes a part of the second air passage 401 that is connected in series to the sensor passage 341. The adjustment target passage 421a may be on the air flow downstream side of the sensor passage 341 in the second air passage 401, but in the present embodiment, it is located on the air flow upstream side of the sensor passage 341.

Since the adjustment target passage 421a is connected to the sensor passage 341 in series as described above, in the present embodiment as well as in the first embodiment, the sensor passage 341 is accompanied by the flow of air into the adjustment target passage 421a. And the air flows. Then, the wind speed of the air flowing through the sensor passage 341 becomes smaller as the air volume of the air flowing through the adjustment target passage 421a becomes smaller.

Further, the elastic portion one end 422a is immovable relative to the second pipe portion 40, and is fixed to the second pipe portion 40, for example.

In the present embodiment, if the air flow in the unit internal passage 11a indicated by the arrow A1 becomes higher in air velocity, the air volume of the first air passage 381 increases accordingly and the aspirator 36 causes the air in the second air passage 401 to flow. The suction power for sucking is increased. On the other hand, as the suction force increases, the passage damper 421 reduces the passage opening degree of the adjustment target passage 421a included in the second air passage 401. Therefore, also in the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the opening adjustment device 42 of the adjustment target passage 421a suppresses the fluctuation of the air volume of the air flowing through the adjustment target passage 421a by the wind pressure P1 received by the passage damper 421. Adjust the passage opening. As a result, as in the first embodiment, fluctuations in the wind speed of the sensor passage 341 are suppressed.

This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the above description. Then, in the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the first embodiment, which is achieved by the configuration common to the first embodiment.

(Fourth Embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, points different from the first embodiment described above will be mainly described.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in the present embodiment, the elastic portion 422 of the opening adjustment device 42 is configured such that the elastic portion one end 422a can be repositioned as indicated by arrows B1 and B2. In this respect, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment.

Specifically, the air conditioning unit 10 has a door mechanism 14 that performs an operation that affects the wind speed of the air flowing through the unit internal passage 11a. Although the door mechanism 14 is also provided in the air conditioning unit 10 of the first embodiment, it is not shown in the first embodiment, but is shown in FIG. 7 in the present embodiment.

The door mechanism 14 is, for example, a defroster door that opens and closes a defroster outlet of the plurality of air outlets of the air conditioning unit 10. For example, when the door mechanism 14 which is a defroster door opens the defroster outlet, the ventilation resistance in the unit internal passage 11a decreases, so that the wind speed of the air flowing in the unit internal passage 11a increases and the air volume increases. That is, the door mechanism 14 performs an operation that affects the wind speed of the air flowing through the in-unit passage 11a, as described above.

The elastic portion one end 422 a is connected to the door mechanism 14 via the link mechanism 15. By this connection, the elastic portion one end 422a is moved mechanically in conjunction with the operation of the door mechanism 14 as indicated by the arrow Md. For example, when the door mechanism 14 operates in the direction of opening the defroster outlet, the elastic portion one end 422a is displaced in the direction of arrow B1, that is, the elastic portion one end 422a approaches the elastic portion other end 422b.

That is, as the door mechanism 14 moves toward the side that increases the wind speed in the unit internal passage 11a, the one end 422a of the elastic portion is displaced by the door mechanism 14 in the direction toward the other end 422b of the elastic portion (that is, the direction indicated by the arrow B1). To be made. The wind speed in the description that "the door mechanism 14 moves toward the side that increases the wind speed in the unit internal passage 11a" is, for example, the wind speed at a predetermined location in the unit internal passage 11a where the passage cross-sectional area does not change. ..

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the elastic portion one end 422a is displaced by the door mechanism 14, the adjustment width by which the passage damper 421 adjusts the passage opening degree of the adjustment target passage 421a is determined by using the operation of the door mechanism 14. It is possible to earn. The operation of the door mechanism 14 is used to adjust the position of the elastic portion one end 422a, and the position of the elastic portion one end 422a is mechanically linked to the operation of the door mechanism 14, so that the elastic portion one end 422a is displaced. This has the advantage that no electrical control is required to control it.

This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the above description. Then, in the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the first embodiment, which is achieved by the configuration common to the first embodiment.

The present embodiment is a modification based on the first embodiment, but the present embodiment can be combined with the above-described second embodiment or third embodiment.

(Fifth Embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, points different from the above-described fourth embodiment will be mainly described.

As shown in FIG. 8, the elastic portion 422 of the opening degree adjusting device 42 of the present embodiment is configured such that the elastic portion one end 422a can be repositioned as indicated by arrows B1 and B2. In this respect, the present embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, unlike the fourth embodiment, the elastic portion end 422a is not connected to the door mechanism 14, and the elastic portion end 422a is repositioned by electrical control.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the dust detection device 32 includes an actuation unit 46 configured by an electric actuator or the like, and a control unit 48 that controls the actuation of the actuation unit 46.

The control unit 48 is an electronic control device composed of a microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM and the like (not shown). The control unit 48 executes a computer program stored in a semiconductor memory such as ROM or RAM that is a non-transitional physical storage medium. By executing this computer program, the method corresponding to the computer program is executed. That is, the control unit 48 executes various control processes according to the computer program.

For example, the control unit 48 includes various information such as the rotation speed of the blower fan of the blower 12 and the open/closed state of each door included in the air conditioning unit 10 from the air conditioning controller 50 that executes the air conditioning control of the air conditioning unit 10. Is input. The control unit 48 estimates the wind speed of the air flowing in the unit internal passage 11a (that is, the wind speed in the unit internal passage 11a) based on the input rotation speed of the blower fan, the open/closed state of each door, and the like. Then, the control unit 48 controls the operation of the operation unit 46 based on the wind speed in the unit internal passage 11a.

One end 422a of the elastic portion is connected to the operating portion 46, and is moved by the operating portion 46 in the directions indicated by arrows B1 and B2 (see FIG. 8). For example, as the wind speed in the unit internal passage 11a increases, the elastic portion one end 422a is displaced by the operating portion 46 in the direction of arrow B1 in FIG. 8, that is, in the direction in which the elastic portion one end 422a approaches the elastic portion other end 422b. ..

That is, the control unit 48 operates the operating portion 46 so that the operating portion 46 displaces the elastic portion end 422a in a direction in which the elastic portion one end 422a approaches the elastic portion other end 422b as the wind speed in the unit internal passage 11a increases. Activate. The wind speed in the description "as the wind speed in the unit internal passage 11a increases" is, for example, the wind speed at a predetermined location in the unit internal passage 11a where the passage cross-sectional area does not change, and is estimated by the control unit 48. It is an estimated value.

According to the present embodiment, the adjustment width by which the passage damper 421 adjusts the passage opening degree of the adjustment target passage 421a can be earned by the operation of the operation portion 46.

This embodiment is the same as the fourth embodiment except for the above description. Then, in the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the fourth embodiment, which is obtained from the configuration common to the above-described fourth embodiment.

(Sixth Embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, points different from the first embodiment described above will be mainly described.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in the present embodiment, the dust detection device 32 does not include the aspirator 36, the first pipe portion 38, and the second pipe portion 40. Instead, the dust detection device 32 includes a bracket 52 for fixing the dust sensor 34 to the outside of the air conditioning case 11. That is, the dust sensor 34 of the present embodiment is fixed to the outside of the air conditioning case 11 via the bracket 52 thereof. In this respect, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment.

Specifically, the air conditioning unit 10 has a blower 12 having a blower fan 121 and a blower motor 122. The blower fan 121 is provided in the unit internal passage 11a and is rotated by the blower motor 122 to flow the air in the unit internal passage 11a. The blower fan 121 and the blower motor 122 are also provided in the air conditioning unit 10 of the first embodiment, but they are not shown in the first embodiment and are shown in FIG. 10 in the present embodiment.

The bracket 52 is for fixing the dust sensor 34 to the outside of the air conditioning case 11, but the bracket 52 is for introducing the inside air into the sensor passage 341 by utilizing the wind flow in the unit inner passage 11 a. An air passage is also formed. Specifically, the bracket 52 is provided with a bracket inlet 521 opened to the vehicle interior outside the air conditioning case 11, and an adjustment target passage 421a. A passage damper 421 configured to receive the wind pressure P1 of the air flowing through the adjustment target passage 421a is arranged in the adjustment target passage 421a, as in the first embodiment.

The bracket inlet 521 is connected in series to the sensor passage 341 on the upstream side of the air flow, and the adjustment target passage 421a is connected to the sensor passage 341 on the downstream side of the air flow in series. In short, the bracket inlet port 521, the sensor passage 341, and the adjustment target passage 421a are connected in series in this order from the air flow upstream side to the bracket inlet port 521, the sensor passage 341, and the adjustment target passage 421a.

The unit internal passage 11a has a passage connecting port 11b. The passage connection port 11b is a portion of the in-unit passage 11a on the upstream side of the air flow with respect to the blower fan 121.

The air flow downstream side of the adjustment target passage 421a is connected to the passage connection port 11b. That is, the downstream side of the adjustment target passage 421a in the air flow communicates with the unit internal passage 11a through the passage connection port 11b. Therefore, the sensor passage 341 is connected to the passage connection port 11b via the adjustment target passage 421a.

For example, when the blower fan 121 is rotated, the air in the unit internal passage 11a flows in one direction as indicated by arrow A1. Accordingly, the air in the adjustment target passage 421a is drawn into the unit internal passage 11a as indicated by arrow A4. Therefore, air flows into the bracket inflow port 521 from the vehicle interior as indicated by arrow A3. Then, the air flowing into the bracket inlet 521 flows to the sensor passage 341 as indicated by an arrow A5, flows in the sensor passage 341 as indicated by an arrow A6, and moves from the sensor passage 341 to the adjustment target passage 421a as indicated by an arrow A7. Inflow. In this way, in the adjustment target passage 421a and the sensor passage 341, the air flows toward the in-unit passage 11a by the operation of the blower fan 121.

This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the above description. Then, in the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the first embodiment, which is achieved by the configuration common to the first embodiment.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the adjustment target passage 421a is connected to the sensor passage 341 in series. The sensor passage 341 is connected to the passage connection port 11b, which is a portion of the in-unit passage 11a on the upstream side of the air flow with respect to the blower fan 121, via the adjustment target passage 421a. Further, in the adjustment target passage 421a and the sensor passage 341, air flows toward the unit internal passage 11a by the operation of the blower fan 121. Therefore, it is possible to realize the air flow in the sensor passage 341 by utilizing the air flow in the air conditioning unit 10 indicated by the arrow A1 with a simple air passage configuration, and to provide the opening adjustment device 42. Is also possible.

Note that this embodiment is a modification based on the first embodiment, but this embodiment can be combined with the above-described fourth embodiment or fifth embodiment.

(Other embodiments)
(1) In the above-described first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the inflow port 381a of the first air passage 381 is arranged on the air flow downstream side of the blower 12 in the unit internal passage 11a. Is an example. For example, if the air flowing through the in-unit passage 11a flows into the inflow port 381a, the inflow port 381a may be arranged on the air flow upstream side of the blower 12 in the in-unit passage 11a.

(2) In each of the above embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, one dust sensor 34 is provided in the second air passage 401, but a plurality of dust sensors 34 may be provided in the second air passage 401.

(3) In the above-described second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a passage damper 421 is arranged in the adjustment target passage 421a. Then, in the aspirator 36, the adjustment target passage 421a is arranged on the upstream side of the air flow with respect to the confluent portion where the air flow from the first air passage 381 and the air flow from the second air passage 401 merge. However, this is an example. For example, in the aspirator 36, the adjustment target passage 421a may be arranged on the air flow downstream side of the confluence portion.

Alternatively, the adjustment target passage 421a may be a passage through which air in the second air passage 401 is located on the upstream side of the air flow of the aspirator 36 with respect to the confluent portion. In this case, if it is understood that a part of the second air passage 401 connected to the aspirator 36 on the downstream side of the air flow extends into the aspirator 36, the adjustment target passage 421a is not connected to the aspirator 36 of the second air passage 401. It can also be understood that it constitutes a partial section to which it belongs.

(4) In the above-described fourth embodiment, the door mechanism 14 shown in FIG. 7 is, for example, a defroster door, but is not limited to this, a foot door that opens and closes a foot outlet, or a face door that opens and closes a face outlet. May be Alternatively, the door mechanism 14 is an air mix door for adjusting the temperature of the conditioned air blown out from the air conditioning unit 10, or an inside/outside air switching door for switching the air flowing into the unit internal passage 11a to the inside air or the outside air. May be.

(5) In the above-described sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the sensor passage 341 is connected to the passage connection port 11b via the adjustment target passage 421a in which the passage damper 421 is arranged, but this is an example. Is. For example, the adjustment target passage 421a may be connected to the passage connection port 11b via the sensor passage 341. In other words, the bracket inlet port 521, the adjustment target passage 421a, and the sensor passage 341 may be connected in series in this order from the air flow upstream side to the bracket inlet port 521, the adjustment target passage 421a, and the sensor passage 341. In this case, the air flow downstream side of the sensor passage 341 is connected to the passage connecting port 11b.

(6) In each of the above-described embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the opening adjustment device 42 uses the passage damper 421 and the elastic portion 422 made of rubber, spring, or the like to adjust the passage of the adjustment passage 421a. The opening is adjusted, but this is an example. The opening adjustment device 42 may adjust the passage opening of the adjustment target passage 421a by a configuration other than the passage damper 421 and the elastic portion 422.

(7) In the above-described fifth embodiment, in FIG. 9, the air-conditioning control device 50 and the control unit 48 included in the dust detection device 32 are illustrated as separate control devices, but this is an example. .. The control unit 48 does not need to be an independent device, and may be, for example, a control unit included in the air conditioning control device 50 as a functional part of the air conditioning control device 50.

(8) In the fifth embodiment described above, the control process executed by the control unit 48 in FIG. 9 is realized by a computer program, but may be realized by hardware.

(9) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified and implemented. Further, the above embodiments are not unrelated to each other, and can be appropriately combined unless a combination is obviously impossible.

In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, it goes without saying that the elements constituting the embodiment are not necessarily essential unless explicitly stated as being essential and in principle considered to be essential. Yes. Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, when numerical values such as the number of components of the embodiment, numerical values, amounts, ranges, etc. are mentioned, it is clearly limited to a particular number when explicitly stated as being essential. The number is not limited to the specific number, except in the case of being.

Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, when referring to the material, shape, positional relationship, etc. of the constituent elements, etc., unless specifically stated or in principle limited to a specific material, shape, positional relationship, etc. However, the material, shape, positional relationship, etc. are not limited.

Further, the control unit 48 and the method thereof shown in FIG. 9 are a dedicated computer provided by configuring a processor and a memory programmed to execute one or a plurality of functions embodied by a computer program. May be realized by Alternatively, the control unit 48 and the method thereof illustrated in FIG. 9 may be realized by a dedicated computer provided by configuring a processor with one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the control unit 48 and the method thereof shown in FIG. 9 is a combination of a processor and a memory programmed to execute one or a plurality of functions and a processor configured by one or more hardware logic circuits. It may be realized by one or more dedicated computers configured by. Further, the computer program may be stored in a computer-readable non-transition tangible recording medium as an instruction executed by the computer.

(Summary)
According to the first aspect shown in part or all of each of the above-described embodiments, the opening degree adjusting device has the wind-forced portion configured to receive the wind pressure of the air flowing through the adjustment target passage. The opening adjustment device adjusts the passage opening of the adjustment target passage by the wind pressure so as to suppress the fluctuation of the air volume of the air flowing in the adjustment target passage. The dust sensor is an optical sensor for detecting the dust concentration of air in a sensor passage through which air flows. Air flows through the adjustment target passage due to the air flow in the unit internal passage formed in the air conditioning unit that performs air conditioning in the vehicle interior, and air flows through the sensor passage along with the air flowing through the adjustment target passage. The wind velocity of the air flowing through the sensor passage decreases as the air volume of the air flowing through the adjustment passage decreases.

Further, according to the second aspect, the wind pressure portion is configured to be able to increase and decrease the passage opening degree, and as the wind pressure increases, the wind pressure portion is strongly urged toward the side that reduces the passage opening degree. The opening adjustment device has an elastic portion that is connected to the wind pressure portion. The elastic portion strongly urges the wind pressure portion toward the side of increasing the passage opening degree by the elastic deformation of the elastic portion as the passage pressure opening portion decreases. Therefore, it is possible to realize the function of suppressing the fluctuation of the air volume of the air flowing through the adjustment target passage with a simple structure utilizing the elastic deformation of the elastic portion.

According to the third aspect, the air conditioning unit has a blower fan that is provided in the unit internal passage and allows air in the unit internal passage to flow. The passage to be adjusted is connected in series to the sensor passage, and one passage of the passage to be adjusted and the sensor passage is connected to a portion of the passage in the unit on the upstream side of the air flow with respect to the blower fan via the other passage. To do. Then, in the adjustment target passage and the sensor passage, the air flows toward the passage inside the unit by the operation of the blower fan. Therefore, it is possible to realize the air flow in the sensor passage by utilizing the air flow in the air conditioning unit with a simple air passage structure, and it is possible to provide an opening degree adjusting device.

Further, according to the fourth aspect, the first air passage and the second air passage are connected to the aspirator, respectively. Then, the aspirator sucks air from the second air passage by the flow of air introduced from the first air passage, and generates an air flow in the second air passage by sucking the air. Further, the first air passage has an inflow port connected to the in-unit passage and into which air flows from the in-unit passage, at an air flow upstream end of the first air passage. The sensor passage is included in the second air passage, and the adjustment target passage constitutes a part of the first air passage or a part of the second air passage that is connected in series to the sensor passage.

With this configuration, when the aspirator is provided to generate the air flow in the sensor passage of the dust sensor by utilizing the air flow in the air conditioning unit, the fluctuation of the wind speed in the sensor passage is suppressed by the opening adjustment device. Is possible.

According to the fifth aspect, the air conditioning unit has a door mechanism that performs an operation that affects the wind speed of the air flowing through the unit internal passage. The elastic portion has one end that is connected to the door mechanism and that is mechanically interlocked with the operation of the door mechanism, and the other end that is connected to the winded portion. Further, the elastic portion strongly urges the winded portion toward the side of increasing the passage opening degree as the elastic portion is elastically deformed in such a direction that the distance between the elastic portion one end and the other end of the elastic portion increases. As the door mechanism moves toward the side that increases the wind speed in the unit passage, the one end of the elastic portion is displaced toward the other end of the elastic portion by the door mechanism. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the adjustment width by which the wind pressure portion adjusts the passage opening degree of the adjustment target passage by utilizing the operation of the door mechanism.

Further, according to the sixth aspect, the dust detection device 32 includes an operating portion and a control portion that controls the operation of the operating portion. The elastic portion has one end of the elastic portion connected to the operating portion and moved by the operating portion, and the other end of the elastic portion connected to the wind pressure portion. Further, the elastic portion strongly urges the winded portion toward the side of increasing the passage opening degree as the elastic portion is elastically deformed in such a direction that the distance between the one end of the elastic portion and the other end of the elastic portion increases. Then, the control section operates the operating section such that the operating section displaces the elastic section one end in a direction in which the elastic section one end approaches the elastic section other end as the wind velocity in the unit passage increases. With this configuration, it is possible to gain the adjustment width by which the wind pressure portion adjusts the passage opening degree of the adjustment target passage by the operation of the operation portion.

10 Air Conditioning Unit 11a Unit Internal Passage 32 Dust Detection Device 34 Dust Sensor 42 Opening Adjustment Device 341 Sensor Passage 421 Passage Damper (Wind Pressure Portion)
421a Path to be adjusted P1 Wind pressure

Claims (6)

A dust detection device,
It has a wind pressure part (421) configured to receive the wind pressure (P1) of the air flowing through the adjustment target passage (421a), and is controlled by the wind pressure so as to suppress the fluctuation of the air volume of the air flowing through the adjustment target passage. An opening adjustment device (42) for adjusting the passage opening of the passage to be adjusted,
An optical dust sensor (34) for detecting a dust concentration of air in a sensor passage (341) through which air flows,
Air flows through the adjustment target passage by the air flow of the unit internal passage (11a) formed in the air conditioning unit (10) for air conditioning the vehicle interior,
In the sensor passage, air flows along with the air flowing in the adjustment target passage,
The dust detection device, wherein the air velocity of the air flowing through the sensor passage decreases as the air volume of the air flowing through the adjustment passage decreases. The wind pressure part is configured to be able to increase or decrease the passage opening degree, and as the wind pressure increases, the wind pressure is strongly urged toward the side that reduces the passage opening degree,
The opening degree adjusting device has an elastic part (422) connected to the wind pressure part,
2. The elastic portion strongly urges the wind pressure portion toward the side of increasing the passage opening degree by the elastic deformation of the elastic portion as the wind pressure portion decreases the passage opening degree. Dust detection device. The air conditioning unit has a blower fan (121) provided in the unit internal passage for flowing air in the unit internal passage,
The adjustment target passage is connected in series to the sensor passage,
One of the adjustment target passage and the sensor passage is connected to a portion (11b) on the air flow upstream side of the blower fan in the unit internal passage via the other passage,
The dust detection device according to claim 1, wherein in the adjustment target passage and the sensor passage, air flows toward the passage in the unit by the operation of the blower fan. The first air passage (381) and the second air passage (401) are connected to each other, the flow of air introduced from the first air passage sucks the air from the second air passage, and the suction of the air An aspirator (36) for generating an air flow in the second air passage,
The first air passage has an inflow port (381a) connected to the in-unit passage into which air flows from the in-unit passage, at an air flow upstream end of the first air passage,
The sensor passage is included in the second air passage,
3. The adjustment target passage constitutes a partial section of the first air passage or a partial section of the second air passage that is connected in series to the sensor passage. Dust detection device. The air conditioning unit has a door mechanism (14) that performs an operation that affects the wind speed of the air flowing in the unit internal passage,
The elastic portion has one end (422a) connected to the door mechanism and mechanically interlocked with the operation of the door mechanism, and the other end (422b) connected to the wind-forced portion. And having the one end of the elastic portion and the other end of the elastic portion being elastically deformed in a direction in which the distance between the elastic portion and the other end of the elastic portion expands, the portion to be pressed is strongly urged toward the side where the passage opening is increased.
The dust detection device according to claim 2, wherein the one end of the elastic portion is displaced toward the other end of the elastic portion by the door mechanism as the door mechanism moves toward the side that increases the wind speed in the unit internal passage. .. An operating part (46) and a control part (48) for controlling the operation of the operating part,
The elastic part has an elastic part one end (422a) connected to the operating part and moved by the operating part, and an elastic part other end (422b) connected to the wind pressure part. As the elastic deformation is performed in a direction in which the distance between the one end and the other end of the elastic portion expands, the wind-pressed portion is strongly urged toward the side that increases the opening degree of the passage.
The control section operates the operating section such that the operating section displaces the elastic section end in a direction in which the elastic section one end approaches the elastic section other end as the wind speed in the unit passage increases. The dust detection device according to claim 2.

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