JP3975567B2

JP3975567B2 - Air conditioner

Info

Publication number: JP3975567B2
Application number: JP22127498A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 博昭谷口
Original assignee: Mazda Motor Corp
Current assignee: Mazda Motor Corp
Priority date: 1998-08-05
Filing date: 1998-08-05
Publication date: 2007-09-12
Anticipated expiration: 2018-08-05
Also published as: JP2000052756A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、電動式の冷媒圧縮機を備えたヒートポンプ式の空調装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
特開平６−１４６９８７号公報には、エンジンで駆動されるヒートポンプ式の空調装置において、燃料消費を節減する制御方法が記載されている。それは、室内温度、目標温度等に基づいて演算したエンジン回転数となるようにエンジンの運転を制御するモードの他に、エンジンの最高回転数よりも少ない所定の回転数を節約回転数とする節約モードを設定し、節約モード運転時には上記演算されたエンジン回転数が節約回転数を超えても、該節約回転数でエンジンの運転を制御する、というものである。
【０００３】
特開平８−２８２２５３号公報には、電動式の冷媒圧縮機を備えた車両用空調装置において、冷房、除湿冷房、暖房及び除湿暖房の４つの運転モードを有するものが記載されている。
【０００４】
また、電動式の冷媒圧縮機を採用してインバーター制御で能力を制御するとともに、４方向弁で冷媒の流路を変える事によって冷房と暖房と除湿暖房を切り替える方式のヒートポンプ式の空調装置が、電気自動車用として広く採用されている。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、４方向弁とインバーターだけでは室内の温度・湿度を微妙に制御することはできず、そのような制御には別途に電熱装置を併用する必要があり、電力消費が大きい。
【０００６】
これに対して、エンジンや燃料電池などの熱源を備えた車両においては、冷媒圧縮機は冷房だけを行い、暖房は上記の熱源を使って行う方式を採用すれば、室内の温度分布などを微妙に制御することができる。しかし、例えば春先の晴れた日の停車中など微妙な温度・湿度の制御が要求されるときには、停車中であってもエンジンを作動させる必要があって、燃料の無駄使いが多くなる。
【０００７】
また、エンジンとバッテリとを併用して車両を走行させるハイブリッド自動車においても、渋滞走行や低速走行ではエンジンを停止させたまま電気モーターだけを使用すればよいにも拘わらず、上記微妙な温度・湿度調整を必要とするときにはエンジンを作動させる必要があつて、燃料の無駄使いが多くなる。
【０００８】
本発明の課題は、電動式の冷媒圧縮機を採用した空調装置において、微妙な温度・湿度調整を簡単に行なうことができるようにすることにあり、また、エンジンや燃料電池などの熱源を備えた車両においては、熱源を有効に利用して燃料の無駄使いをしないで暖房することができるようにすることにある。
【０００９】
【課題を解決するための手段】
この出願の請求項１に係る発明は、電動式の冷媒圧縮機を備えたヒートポンプ式の空調装置であって、
上記圧縮機から送られる冷媒が流入する１つの流入口と、冷房用、暖房用及び除湿暖房用の互いに独立した３つの吐出口とを備えた流路切替弁を備え、
上記冷房用吐出口には、上記圧縮機から送られた冷媒を冷却して凝縮し絞って湿り蒸気にした状態で該冷媒と空調用空気との熱交換を行なわせて上記圧縮機に戻すための冷房用流路が接続され、
上記暖房用吐出口には、上記圧縮機から送られた冷媒と空調用空気との間で熱交換を行なわせ液化した冷媒を絞って湿り蒸気にした後、加熱蒸発させて上記圧縮機に戻すための暖房用流路が接続され、
上記除湿暖房用吐出口には、上記圧縮機から送られた冷媒と空調用空気との間で熱交換を行なわせ液化した冷媒を絞って湿り蒸気にした状態で該冷媒と空調用空気との熱交換を行なわせて上記圧縮機に戻すための除湿暖房用流路が接続されていて、
上記流路切替弁は、上記流入口を冷房用吐出口及び除湿暖房用吐出口の双方に接続させた弁位置と、上記流入口を暖房用吐出口と除湿暖房用吐出口の双方に接続させた弁位置とを有することを特徴とする。
【００１０】
この発明においては、流路切替弁を、その流入口が冷房用吐出口及び除湿暖房用吐出口の双方に接続した弁位置にすれば、当該空調装置は涼し目の除湿暖房運転モードとなり、流入口が暖房用吐出口と除湿暖房用吐出口の双方に接続した弁位置にすれば、当該空調装置は暖か目の除湿暖房運転モードとなる。
【００１１】
請求項２に係る発明は、請求項１に記載されている空調装置において、
上記流路切替弁は、さらに上記流入口を冷房用吐出口のみに接続させた弁位置と、上記流入口を暖房用吐出口のみに接続させた弁位置と、上記流入口を除湿暖房用吐出口のみに接続させた弁位置とを有することを特徴とする。
【００１２】
この発明においては、流路切替弁の切替によって、冷房、涼し目の除湿暖房、普通の除湿暖房、暖か目の除湿暖房及び暖房、という５つの運転モードを得ることができる。
【００１３】
請求項３に係る発明は、請求項１又は請求項２に記載されている空調装置において、
上記流路切替弁は、スプール弁式のものであって、上記３つの吐出口は、冷房用吐出口と除湿暖房用吐出口とが相隣り、該除湿暖房用吐出口と暖房用吐出口とが相隣るように並設されていることを特徴とする。
【００１４】
この場合の流路切替弁は直動型スプール弁であっても、回転型スプール弁であってもよい。この発明においては、流路切替弁の３つの吐出口が冷房用吐出口、除湿暖房用吐出口、暖房用吐出口の順で並んでいるから、スプール弁の単なる直動又は回転によって、流路切替弁を、流入口が冷房用吐出口及び除湿暖房用吐出口の双方に接続した弁位置と、暖房用吐出口と除湿暖房用吐出口の双方に接続した弁位置とに切り換えることができ、さらには冷房用吐出口のみに接続した弁位置、除湿暖房用吐出口のみに接続した弁位置、並びに暖房用吐出口のみに接続した弁位置に切り換えることができ、流路切替弁の構造が簡単になる。また、流入口を冷房用吐出口と除湿暖房用吐出口の双方に接続した弁位置する場合に、スプール弁の位置を細かく制御することによつて、冷房用吐出口と除湿暖房用吐出口とに対する冷媒の分配割合を段階的に若しくは連続的に変えることも可能になる。この点は、暖房用吐出口と除湿暖房用吐出口とに対する冷媒の分配割合に関しても同じである。
【００１５】
請求項４に係る発明は、請求項１乃至請求項３のいずれか一に記載されている空調装置において、
空調用空気が流れる空気通路を備え、冷媒との熱交換によって空調用空気を冷却する冷媒式の空気冷却器と、冷媒との熱交換によって空調用空気を加熱する冷媒式の空気加熱器とが、該空気通路内の上流側と下流側とに配設されているとともに、該空気冷却器と空気加熱器との間に該空気加熱器を通る空調用空気の量を調節するダンパが配設されていることを特徴とする。
【００１６】
この発明においては、空調用空気を空気冷却器で冷却した後に空気加熱器によって加熱することができるから、除湿暖房を行なうことができ、ダンパによって空気加熱器を通過する空調用空気量を絞れば冷房能力が高くなり、ダンパによって空気加熱器を通過する空調用空気量を増大させれば暖房能力が高くなる。
【００１７】
請求項５に係る発明は、
電動式の冷媒圧縮機と、
空調用空気が流れる空気通路に設けられて上記圧縮機の吐出口に接続され、該圧縮機から吐出された高温・高圧の冷媒蒸気と空調用空気とを熱交換させて該空調用空気を加熱するための冷媒式の空気加熱器と、
上記空気加熱器に接続され該空気加熱器を経た冷媒が流入する１つの流入口と、冷房用、暖房用及び除湿暖房用の互いに独立した３つの吐出口とを備えた流路切替弁と、
上記流路切替弁の冷房用吐出口に接続され、該冷房用吐出口から吐出される冷媒を冷却用媒体によって冷却して凝縮させる冷媒凝縮器と、
上記冷媒凝縮器に該冷媒凝縮器への冷媒の逆流を阻止する第１逆止弁を介して接続され、該冷媒凝縮器によって凝縮された冷媒の一部を蒸発させるための第１絞り手段と、
上記空気通路における上記空気加熱器よりも上流側に配設されて上記第１絞り手段に接続され、該第１絞り手段を経た冷媒と空調用空気とを熱交換させて該空調用空気を冷却するための空気冷却器と、
上記流路切替弁の暖房用吐出口に接続され、該暖房用吐出口から吐出される冷媒の一部を蒸発させるための第２絞り手段と、
上記第２絞り手段に接続され、該第２絞り手段を経た冷媒を加熱用媒体によって加熱する冷媒加熱器と、
上記空気通路における上記空気冷却器と空気加熱器との間に配設され、該空気加熱器を通る空調用空気の量を調節する流量調節手段とを備え、
上記空気冷却器及び冷媒加熱器は、各々冷媒を上記圧縮機に戻すように該圧縮機の流入口に接続され、
上記流路切替弁の除湿暖房用吐出口は、上記第１絞り手段に当該除湿暖房用吐出口への冷媒の逆流を阻止する第２逆止弁を介して接続され、
上記流路切替弁は、上記流入口を、上記冷房用吐出口のみに接続させた弁位置と、上記暖房用吐出口のみに接続させた弁位置と、上記除湿暖房用吐出口のみに接続させた弁位置と、上記冷房用吐出口及び除湿暖房用吐出口の双方に接続させた弁位置と、上記暖房用吐出口と除湿暖房用吐出口の双方に接続させた弁位置とを有し、
上記流路切替弁が流入口を冷房用吐出口のみに接続する弁位置にあるときに、上記圧縮機から、空気加熱器、流路切替弁、冷媒凝縮器、第１逆止弁、第１絞り手段、及び空気冷却器を順に巡って、当該圧縮機に戻る冷房用冷媒回路のみが構成され、
上記流路切替弁が流入口を暖房用吐出口のみに接続する弁位置にあるときに、上記圧縮機から、空気加熱器、流路切替弁、第２絞り手段、及び冷媒加熱器を順に巡って、当該圧縮機に戻る暖房用冷媒回路のみが構成され、
上記流路切替弁が流入口を除湿暖房用吐出口のみに接続する弁位置にあるときに、上記圧縮機から、空気加熱器、流路切替弁、第２逆止弁、第１絞り手段、及び空気冷却器を順に巡って、当該圧縮機に戻る除湿暖房用冷媒回路のみが構成され、
上記流路切替弁が流入口を冷房用吐出口及び除湿暖房用吐出口の双方に接続する弁位置にあるときに、上記冷房用冷媒回路と除湿暖房用冷媒回路とが共に構成され、
上記流路切替弁が流入口を暖房用吐出口及び除湿暖房用吐出口の双方に接続する弁位置にあるときに、上記暖房用冷媒回路と除湿暖房用冷媒回路とが共に構成され、
上記流量調節手段は、上記流路切替弁の切替に連動して、上記冷房用冷媒回路のみが構成されるときは上記空気加熱器を通過する空調用空気量を最小量にし、上記暖房用冷媒回路のみが構成されるときは上記空気加熱器を通過する空調用空気量を最大量にし、上記冷房用冷媒回路と除湿暖房用冷媒回路とが共に構成されるとき、上記除湿暖房用冷媒回路がのみ構成されるとき、並びに上記暖房用冷媒回路と除湿暖房用冷媒回路とが共に構成されるときは、当該記載順序で上記空調用空気量が段階的に多くなるように作動することを特徴とする空調装置である。
【００１８】
これにより、冷媒回路を複雑にすることなく、流路切替弁の切替及びこれに連動する流量調節手段による流量調節によって、冷房、涼し目の除湿暖房、普通の除湿暖房、暖か目の除湿暖房及び暖房、という５つの運転モードを得ることができる。
【００１９】
請求項６に係る発明は、請求項４又は請求項５に記載されている空調装置を車両用としたものであって、
当該車両のエンジンとの熱交換によって加熱された加熱用媒体により空調用空気を加熱する第２の空気加熱器を備え、該第２の空気加熱器は、上記空気通路内における上記ダンパの下流側に、該ダンパによって上記冷媒式の空気加熱器と同様に通過空気量が調節されるように配設されていることを特徴とする。
【００２０】
この発明においては、空調用空気の加熱を冷媒式の空気加熱器だけでなくエンジンの熱を利用した第２の空気加熱器によっても賄うことができるから、冷媒式空気加熱器及び冷媒圧縮機に要求される能力が低くなる。すなわち、冷媒圧縮機の能力を高くしなくとも、冷媒式空気加熱器で凝縮する冷媒の飽和温度を高くすることができるから、電力を多量に消費することなく、充分な暖房を行なうことができる。加熱用媒体としてはエンジン冷却水やエンジンオイルを採用することができる。
【００２１】
請求項７に係る発明は、請求項６に記載されている空調装置において、
上記加熱用媒体を上記エンジンと第２の空気加熱器との間で循環させる電動式ポンプを備えていることを特徴とする。
【００２２】
これにより、エンジンを停止させたときでもその余熱で空調用空気を加熱することができる。
【００２３】
請求項８に係る発明は、請求項６又は請求項７に記載されている空調装置において、
上記流路切替弁の暖房用吐出口から吐出した冷媒を上記加熱用媒体によって加熱する冷媒加熱器を備えていることを特徴とする。
【００２４】
これにより、エンジンの熱をより有効に利用することができる。
【００２５】
【発明の効果】
従って、この出願の発明によれば、電動式の冷媒圧縮機を備えたヒートポンプ式の空調装置において、上記圧縮機から送られる冷媒が流入する１つの流入口と、冷房用、暖房用及び除湿暖房用の互いに独立した３つの吐出口とを備えた流路切替弁を有し、該流路切替弁が該流入口を冷房用吐出口及び除湿暖房用吐出口の双方に接続させた弁位置と、該流入口を暖房用吐出口と除湿暖房用吐出口の双方に接続させた弁位置とを有するから、当該空調装置を涼し目の除湿暖房運転モードと暖か目の除湿暖房運転モードとに切り替えることができ、簡単な構造で木目細かな除湿を行なうことができるようになる。
【００２６】
また、上記流路切替弁に、さらに上記流入口を冷房用吐出口のみに接続させた弁位置と、上記流入口を暖房用吐出口のみに接続させた弁位置と、上記流入口を除湿暖房用吐出口のみに接続させた弁位置とを設けた発明によれば、流路切替弁の切替によって、冷房、涼し目の除湿暖房、普通の除湿暖房、暖か目の除湿暖房及び暖房、という５つの運転モードを得ることができ、簡単な構造でさらに木目細かな空調を行なうことができる。
【００２７】
また、上記流路切替弁をスプール弁形式とし、冷房用吐出口と除湿暖房用吐出口とが相隣り、該除湿暖房用吐出口と暖房用吐出口とが相隣るようにこれら吐出口を並設した発明によれば、スプール弁の単なる直動又は回転によって、上記５つの運転モードを切り替えて得ることができ、さらには、冷房用吐出口と除湿暖房用吐出口とに対する冷媒の分配割合、あるいは暖房用吐出口と除湿暖房用吐出口とに対する冷媒の分配割合を段階的に若しくは連続的に変えて、さらに木目細かな空調を行なうことが可能になる。
【００２８】
また、空調用空気が流れる空気通路に、冷媒式の空気冷却器と冷媒式の空気加熱器とを前者が上流側に後者が下流側になるように配設し、該空気冷却器と空気加熱器との間に該空気加熱器を通る空調用空気の量を調節するダンパを配設した発明によれば、空調用空気を冷却した後に加熱することによって除湿暖房を行なうことがで、ダンパによって空気加熱器を通過する空調用空気量を調節することによって木目細かな除湿及び温度調整を行なうことができるようになる。
【００２９】
また、当該車両のエンジンとの熱交換によって加熱された加熱用媒体により空調用空気を加熱する第２の空気加熱器を設け、該第２の空気加熱器を通過する空気量をダンパによって調節するようにした発明によれば、空調にエンジンの熱を利用することができるから、電動圧縮機の消費電力を抑えることができる。
【００３０】
また、上記加熱用媒体を上記エンジンと第２の空気加熱器との間で循環させる電動式ポンプを備えている発明によれば、エンジンを停止させたときでもその余熱で空調用空気を加熱することができ、エンジンの一時的な停止によって空調性能が大きく低下することを避けることができる。
【００３１】
また、流路切替弁の暖房用吐出口から吐出した冷媒を上記エンジンを熱源とする加熱用媒体によって加熱する冷媒加熱器を備えている発明によれば、エンジンの熱をより有効に利用することができる。
【００３２】
【発明の実施の形態】
図１乃至図５は自動車用空調装置を示す。同図において、実線の矢符は冷媒の流れを示し、破線の矢符はエンジン冷却水の流れを示している。
【００３３】
同図において、１は自動車のパワープラントを構成するエンジン、２は車室に空調用空気を送る空調ダクト（空気通路）、３はヒートポンプ式（蒸気圧縮式）の空調用冷媒回路を構成する電動の冷媒圧縮機、４は冷媒流路、２０はエンジン冷却水流路である。空調ダクト２には外気と車室内空気とを切り替えて又は同時に取り入れるものである。冷媒回路としては、冷房用冷媒回路と暖房用冷媒回路と除湿暖房用冷媒回路とがあり、後述する流路の切り替えによって各冷媒回路を単独で構成し、又は複数の冷媒回路を同時に構成することができるようになっている。
【００３４】
＜冷媒回路構成要素＞
冷媒回路の構成要素を説明する。
【００３５】
符号５で示す要素は、空調ダクト２に設けられて上記圧縮機３の吐出口に接続された冷媒式の空気加熱器であり、圧縮機３から吐出された高温・高圧の冷媒蒸気と空調用空気とを熱交換させて該空調用空気を加熱するためのものである。
【００３６】
符号６で示す要素は、空気加熱器５に接続され該空気加熱器５を経た冷媒が流入する１つの流入口７と、冷房用、暖房用及び除湿暖房用の互いに独立した３つの吐出口８，９，１０とを備えた流路切替弁である。
【００３７】
符号１１で示す要素は、上記流路切替弁６の冷房用吐出口８に接続された冷媒凝縮器であり、該冷房用吐出口８から吐出される冷媒を冷却用媒体によって冷却して凝縮させるものである。この場合の冷却用媒体は外気であり、走行風を利用して冷媒を凝縮するものである。
【００３８】
符号１２で示す要素は、上記冷媒凝縮器１１に該冷媒凝縮器１１への冷媒の逆流を阻止する第１逆止弁１３を介して接続された第１絞り弁（絞り手段）であり、冷媒凝縮器１１によって凝縮された冷媒の一部を蒸発させるためのものである。
【００３９】
符号１４で示す要素は、上記空調ダクト２における上記空気加熱器５よりも上流側に配設された空気冷却器であり、上記第１絞り弁１２に接続され、該第１絞り弁１２を経た冷媒と空調用空気とを熱交換させて該空調用空気を冷却するためのものである。
【００４０】
符号１５で示す要素は、上記流路切替弁６の暖房用吐出口９に接続され、該暖房用吐出口９から吐出される冷媒の一部を蒸発させるための第２絞り手段である。
【００４１】
符号１６で示す要素は、上記第２絞り弁１５に接続され、該第２絞り弁１５を経た冷媒を加熱用媒体によって加熱する冷媒加熱器である。この加熱用媒体としては、エンジンとの熱交換によって加熱されるエンジン冷却水が用いられている。
【００４２】
符号１７で示す要素は、上記空調ダクト２における上記空気冷却器１４と空気加熱器５との間に配設され、該空気加熱器５を通る空調用空気の量を調節するダンパ（流量調節手段）である。すなわち、空気冷却器１４は空調ダクト２を通る空調用空気の全てが該空気冷却器１４を通過するように設けられ、空気加熱器５は空調ダクト２の断面積よりも小さな断面積を有し、空調ダクト２の内壁に接するように片寄せて配置されている。そして、ダンパ１７は、一端が空調ダクト２の略中央に軸支されていて、他端を上記空気加熱器５側の内壁に当接させて該空気加熱器５を通る空調用空気の量を実質的に零とする全閉位置から、当該他端を空気加熱器５とは反対側の内壁に当接させて空調用空気の実質的に全量が当該空気加熱器５を通過するようにする全開位置までの間で段階的に（又は連続的に）回動するようになっている。
【００４３】
符号１８で示す要素は、上記流路切替弁６の除湿暖房用吐出口１０を上記第１逆止弁１３の下流側において上記第１絞り弁１１に接続する冷媒通路に介設された第２逆止弁であり、当該除湿暖房用吐出口１０への冷媒の逆流を阻止するものである。
【００４４】
上記空気冷却器１４及び冷媒加熱器１６は、各々冷媒を上記圧縮機３に戻すように該圧縮機３の流入口に接続されている。
【００４５】
＜エンジン冷却水等＞
上記空調ダクト２における冷媒式空気加熱器５の上流側には、エンジン１との熱交換によって加熱されたエンジン冷却水により空調用空気を加熱する第２の空気加熱器１９が設けられている。この第２の空気加熱器１９は、上記ダンパ１７によって上記冷媒式の空気加熱器５と同様に通過空気量が調節されるものである。すなわち、第２の空気加熱器１９を通過した空調用空気の全量が冷媒式空気加熱器５を通過するように、両空気加熱器５，１９は空気流れ方向に隣接して配設されている。
【００４６】
エンジン冷却水の循環経路は、エンジン１を出た冷却水を走行風によって冷却するラジエータ２１、サーモスタットバルブ２２、冷却水用電動ポンプ２３、上記第２の空気加熱器１９、上記冷媒加熱器１６を巡って、エンジン１に戻るように構成されている。また、エンジン１からラジエータ２１をバイパスしてサーモスタットバルブ２２へ冷却水を送るバイパス通路２４が設けられている。サーモスタットバルブ２２は、エンジン冷却水温度が所定温度に達するまでは、バイパス通路２４をポンプ２３に接続してエンジン冷却水がラジエータ２１をバイパスして流れるようにし、該温度が所定温度に達するとバイパス通路２４を遮断してラジエータ２１を通過した冷却水がポンプ２３へ流れるようにするものである。
【００４７】
＜流路切替弁＞
上記流路切替弁６は、正方形断面の内室を有するシリンダ状弁本体２５にステッピングモータ２６によって駆動される正方形断面のスプール２７が直進的に往復動するように嵌められてなる。３つの吐出口８〜１０は、弁本体２５の長手方向に間隔をおいて且つ冷房用吐出口８、除湿暖房用吐出口１０、暖房用吐出口９の順で直線状に並ぶように形成されている。流入口７は、この３つの吐出口８〜１０に相対するように弁本体２５の長手方向に細長く形成されている。
【００４８】
スプール２７は、該スプール２７を横切るように貫通する冷媒通過孔２９を備え、冷媒通過孔２９の両端を、上記流入口７と上記冷房用吐出口８のみに接続させた弁位置と、上記流入口７と上記暖房用吐出口９のみに接続させた弁位置と、上記流入口７と上記除湿暖房用吐出口１０のみに接続させた弁位置と、上記流入口７と上記冷房用吐出口８及び除湿暖房用吐出口１０の双方とを接続させた弁位置と、上記流入口７と上記暖房用吐出口９と除湿暖房用吐出口１０の双方とを接続させた弁位置とにシフトするように設けられている。
【００４９】
すなわち、冷媒通過孔２９の孔径は、冷房用吐出口８と除湿暖房用吐出口１０との隔たり、並びに暖房用吐出口９と除湿暖房用吐出口１０との隔たりよりも広く形成されて、上記双方接続の弁位置をとることができるようになっている。
【００５０】
また、スプール２７には雌ねじ３１が形成され、該雌ねじ３１にステッピングモータ２６の出力軸３２の先端の雄ねじ３３が螺合しており、該出力軸３２の回転によってスプール２７は上述の各弁位置に進退するようになっている。また、弁本体２５のスプール孔の両端にはエア抜き孔が形成されている。
【００５１】
＜各冷媒回路＞
図１に示すように、上記流路切替弁６が流入口７を冷房用吐出口８のみに接続する弁位置にあるときには、上記圧縮機３から、空気加熱器５、流路切替弁６の流入口７、冷媒通過孔２９、冷房用吐出口８、冷媒凝縮器１１、第１逆止弁１３、第１絞り弁１２、及び空気冷却器１４を順に巡って、当該圧縮機３に戻る冷房用冷媒回路のみが構成されることになる。
【００５２】
図２に示すように、上記流路切替弁６が流入口７を暖房用吐出口１０のみに接続する弁位置にあるときには、上記圧縮機３から、空気加熱器５、流路切替弁６の流入口７、冷媒通過孔２９、暖房用吐出口９、第２絞り弁１５、及び冷媒加熱器１６を順に巡って、当該圧縮機３に戻る暖房用冷媒回路のみが構成されることになる。
【００５３】
図３に示すように、上記流路切替弁６が流入口７を除湿暖房用吐出口１０のみに接続する弁位置にあるときには、上記圧縮機３から、空気加熱器５、流路切替弁６の流入口７、冷媒通過孔２９、除湿暖房用吐出口１０、第２逆止弁１８、第１絞り弁１２、及び空気冷却器１４を順に巡って、当該圧縮機３に戻る除湿暖房用冷媒回路がのみ構成されることになる。
【００５４】
図４に示すように、上記流路切替弁６が流入口７を冷房用吐出口８及び除湿暖房用吐出口１０の双方に接続する弁位置にあるときには、上記冷房用冷媒回路と除湿暖房用冷媒回路とが共に構成されることになる。
【００５５】
図５に示すように、上記流路切替弁６が流入口７を暖房用吐出口９及び除湿暖房用吐出口１０の双方に接続する弁位置にあるときには、上記暖房用冷媒回路と除湿暖房用冷媒回路とが共に構成されることになる。
【００５６】
＜ダンパ１７について＞
上記ダンパ１７は、上記流路切替弁６の切替に連動するものであり、図１に示すように上記冷房用冷媒回路のみが構成されるときは、上記空気加熱器５，１９を通過する空調用空気量を零とする全閉位置となり、図２に示すように上記暖房用冷媒回路のみが構成されるとき、並びに図５に示すように上記暖房用冷媒回路と除湿暖房用冷媒回路とが共に構成されるときは、空気冷却器１４を通過した空調用空気の全量が当該空気加熱器５，１９を通過する全開位置となり、図４に示すように上記冷房用冷媒回路と除湿暖房用冷媒回路とが共に構成されるときは、空気冷却器１４を通過した空調用空気の半量が当該空気加熱器５，１９を通過する半開位置となり、図３に示すように上記除湿暖房用冷媒回路がのみ構成されるときは、上記半開よりも開度が大きくなる。
【００５７】
＜空調の各運転モード＞
−冷房運転−
冷房運転では図１に示すように、流路切替弁６が流入口７を冷房用吐出口８のみに接続して冷房用冷媒回路を構成する弁位置となる一方、通常はエンジン冷却水温度も高くなっているから、サーモスタットバルブ１１はバイパス通路２４を閉じた状態になり、また、ダンパ１７は全閉位置にある。
【００５８】
従って、圧縮機３から出た高温・高圧の冷媒は、まず冷媒式の空気加熱器５に入るが、該空気加熱器５にはダンパ１７によって空調用空気が通過しないようになっているから、当該冷媒は空気加熱器５を素通りすることになる。次いで当該冷媒は、流路切替弁６を通ってその冷房用吐出口８から吐出され、冷媒凝縮器１１によって走行風との熱交換で凝縮され、第１逆止弁１３を通過し、第１絞り弁１２を通過することによって減圧されて低温低圧の気液混合体（湿り蒸気）となり、ダクト２の空気冷却器１４で空調用空気を冷却して高温低圧の気体となって圧縮機３に戻る。
【００５９】
よって、上記空気冷却器１４で冷却された空調用空気は、その全量が空気加熱器５，１９を通過することなく車室へ送られることになり、強力な冷房を実現することができる。
【００６０】
なお、エンジン１で加熱されたエンジン冷却水は、ラジエータ２１、サーモスタットバルブ２２、電動ポンプ２３、第２の空気加熱器１９、及び冷媒加熱器１６を通ってエンジン１に戻るが、第２の空気加熱器１９はダンパ１７によって塞がれ、冷媒加熱器１６に冷媒が流れないから、空調には寄与しない。
【００６１】
−暖房運転−
暖房運転では図２に示すように、上記流路切替弁６は流入口７を暖房用吐出口９のみに接続して暖房用冷媒回路を構成する弁位置となる一方、通常はエンジン冷却水温度は過度に高くなっていないから、サーモスタットバルブ１１はバイパス通路２４を開いた状態になり、また、ダンパ１７は全開位置にある。
【００６２】
従って、圧縮機３から吐出された高温・高圧の冷媒は、空気加熱器５において空調用空気を加熱し、流路切替弁６を通ってその暖房用吐出口９から吐出され、第２絞り弁１５を通過することによって減圧されて、冷媒加熱器１６でエンジン冷却水によって加熱されて圧縮機３に戻る。また、エンジン１で加熱されたエンジン冷却水は、バイパス通路２４、サーモスタットバルブ２２、電動ポンプ２３、第２の空気加熱器１９、及び冷媒加熱器１６を通ってエンジン１に戻り、第２の空気加熱器１９において空調用空気を加熱し、冷媒加熱器１６において冷媒を加熱する。
【００６３】
よって、空調用空気は第２の空気加熱器１９で加熱された後、さらに冷媒式の空気加熱器５で加熱されて車室に送られるから、強力な暖房が実現される。
【００６４】
−普通の除湿暖房運転−
普通の除湿暖房運転では図３に示すように、上記流路切替弁６は流入口７を除湿暖房用吐出口１０のみに接続して除湿暖房用冷媒回路を構成する弁位置となる一方、通常はエンジン冷却水温度は過度に高くなっていないから、サーモスタットバルブ１１はバイパス通路２４を開いた状態になり、また、ダンパ１７は半開よりも開いた位置にある。
【００６５】
従って、圧縮機３から吐出された高温・高圧の冷媒は、空気加熱器５において空調用空気を加熱し、流路切替弁６を通って除湿暖房用吐出口１０から吐出され、第２逆止弁１８を通過し、第１絞り弁１２を通過することによって減圧されて低温低圧の気液混合体となり、ダクト２の空気冷却器１４で空調用空気を冷却して高温低圧の気体となって圧縮機３に戻る。また、エンジン１で加熱されたエンジン冷却水は、バイパス通路２４、サーモスタットバルブ２２、電動ポンプ２３、第２の空気加熱器１９、及び冷媒加熱器１６を通ってエンジン１に戻り、第２の空気加熱器１９において空調用空気を加熱する。冷媒加熱器１６には冷媒が流れないため、冷媒の加熱には利用されない。
【００６６】
よって、空調用空気は、空気冷却器１４で冷却された後、その一部が空気加熱器１９，５で加熱されることになり、これにより、除湿された暖かい空気が車室内へ送られることになる。
【００６７】
−涼し目の除湿暖房運転−
涼し目の除湿暖房運転では図４に示すように、上記流路切替弁６は流入口７を冷房用吐出口８及び除湿暖房用吐出口１０の双方に接続して涼し目の除湿暖房用冷媒回路を構成する弁位置となる一方、通常はエンジン冷却水温度は過度に高くなっていないから、サーモスタットバルブ１１はバイパス通路２４を開いた状態になり、また、ダンパ１７は半開位置にある。
【００６８】
従って、圧縮機３から吐出された高温・高圧の冷媒は、空気加熱器５において空調用空気を加熱し、流路切替弁６を通ってその一部は冷房用吐出口８から吐出され、冷媒凝縮器１１によって走行風との熱交換で凝縮され、第１逆止弁１３を通過し、第１絞り弁１２を通過することによって減圧されて低温低圧の気液混合体となり、ダクト２の空気冷却器１４で空調用空気を冷却して高温低圧の気体となって圧縮機３に戻る。流路切替弁６を通る冷媒の残部は除湿暖房用吐出口１０から吐出され、第２逆止弁１８を通過し、第１絞り弁１２を通過することによって減圧されて低温低圧の気液混合体となり、ダクト２の空気冷却器１４で空調用空気を冷却して高温低圧の気体となって圧縮機３に戻る。
【００６９】
エンジン１で加熱されたエンジン冷却水は、バイパス通路２４、サーモスタットバルブ２２、電動ポンプ２３、第２の空気加熱器１９、及び冷媒加熱器１６を通ってエンジン１に戻り、第２の空気加熱器１９において空調用空気を加熱する。冷媒加熱器１６には冷媒が流れないため、冷媒の加熱には利用されない。
【００７０】
よって、空調用空気は、空気冷却器１４によって普通の除湿暖房の場合よりも強めに冷却された後、その半量が空気加熱器１９，５で加熱されることになり、これにより、涼し目の除湿された空気が車室内へ送られることになる。
【００７１】
−暖か目の除湿暖房運転−
暖か目の除湿暖房運転では図５に示すように、上記流路切替弁６は流入口７を暖房用吐出口９及び除湿暖房用吐出口１０の双方に接続して暖か目の除湿暖房用冷媒回路を構成する弁位置となる一方、通常はエンジン冷却水温度は過度に高くなっていないから、サーモスタットバルブ１１はバイパス通路２４を開いた状態になり、また、ダンパ１７は全開位置にある。
【００７２】
従って、圧縮機３から吐出された高温・高圧の冷媒は、空気加熱器５において空調用空気を加熱し、流路切替弁６を通ってその一部は暖房用吐出口９から吐出され、第２絞り弁１５を通過することによって減圧されて、冷媒加熱器１６でエンジン冷却水によって加熱されて圧縮機３に戻る。流路切替弁６を通る冷媒の残部は除湿暖房用吐出口１０から吐出され、第２逆止弁１８を通過し、第１絞り弁１２を通過することによって減圧されて低温低圧の気液混合体となり、ダクト２の空気冷却器１４で空調用空気を冷却して高温低圧の気体となって圧縮機３に戻る。
【００７３】
エンジン１で加熱されたエンジン冷却水は、バイパス通路２４、サーモスタットバルブ２２、電動ポンプ２３、第２の空気加熱器１９、及び冷媒加熱器１６を通ってエンジン１に戻り、第２の空気加熱器１９において空調用空気を加熱するとともに、冷媒加熱器１６において冷媒を加熱する。
【００７４】
よって、空調用空気は、空気冷却器１４によって普通の除湿暖房の場合よりも弱めに冷却された後、その全量が空気加熱器１９，５で加熱されることになり、これにより、暖か目の除湿された空気が車室内へ送られることになる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施形態に係る空調装置の冷房運転時の回路図。
【図２】同空調装置の暖房運転時の回路図。
【図３】同空調装置の普通の除湿暖房運転時の回路図。
【図４】同空調装置の涼し目の除湿暖房運転時の回路図。
【図５】動空調装置の暖か目の除湿暖房運転時の回路図。
【符号の説明】
１エンジン
２空調ダクト
３電動式冷媒圧縮機
５冷媒式空気加熱器
６流路切替弁
７流入口
８冷房用吐出口
９暖房用吐出口
１０除湿暖房用吐出口
１１冷媒凝縮器
１２第１絞り弁
１４冷媒式空気冷却器
１５第２絞り弁
１６冷媒加熱器
１７ダンパ（流量調節手段）
１９第２の空気加熱器（温水式空気加熱器）
２１ラジエータ
２３電動ポンプ[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a heat pump type air conditioner equipped with an electric refrigerant compressor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-146987 describes a control method for reducing fuel consumption in a heat pump type air conditioner driven by an engine. In addition to the mode that controls the engine operation so that the engine speed is calculated based on the room temperature, the target temperature, etc., it saves a predetermined speed that is less than the maximum speed of the engine. A mode is set, and during the saving mode operation, even if the calculated engine speed exceeds the saving speed, the operation of the engine is controlled at the saving speed.
[0003]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-282253 discloses a vehicle air conditioner equipped with an electric refrigerant compressor having four operation modes of cooling, dehumidifying cooling, heating, and dehumidifying heating.
[0004]
In addition, while adopting an electric refrigerant compressor to control the capacity by inverter control, a heat pump type air conditioner that switches between cooling, heating and dehumidifying heating by changing the refrigerant flow path with a four-way valve, Widely used for electric vehicles.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, it is not possible to delicately control the indoor temperature and humidity with only the four-way valve and the inverter. For such control, it is necessary to separately use an electric heating device, and power consumption is large.
[0006]
On the other hand, in a vehicle equipped with a heat source such as an engine or a fuel cell, if the system in which the refrigerant compressor only performs cooling and the heating is performed using the above heat source, the temperature distribution in the room is subtle. Can be controlled. However, when subtle temperature / humidity control is required, for example, when the vehicle is stopped on a sunny day in early spring, it is necessary to operate the engine even when the vehicle is stopped, resulting in increased waste of fuel.
[0007]
Even in a hybrid vehicle that runs a vehicle using both an engine and a battery, the subtle temperature / humidity described above can be used in a congested or low-speed drive, although only the electric motor needs to be used while the engine is stopped. When adjustment is required, it is necessary to operate the engine, which increases the waste of fuel.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily perform delicate temperature / humidity adjustment in an air conditioner employing an electric refrigerant compressor, and to include a heat source such as an engine or a fuel cell. It is another object of the present invention to enable effective heating of a vehicle without wasting fuel by effectively using a heat source.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 of this application is a heat pump type air conditioner provided with an electric refrigerant compressor,
A flow path switching valve provided with one inflow port into which refrigerant sent from the compressor flows, and three independent discharge ports for cooling, heating, and dehumidifying heating;
In the cooling outlet, the refrigerant sent from the compressor is cooled, condensed, squeezed into wet steam, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant and air-conditioning air, and the refrigerant is returned to the compressor. The cooling channel is connected,
At the heating outlet, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant sent from the compressor and the air for air conditioning, and the liquefied refrigerant is squeezed into wet steam, and then heated and evaporated to return to the compressor. A heating flow path is connected,
In the dehumidifying and heating outlet, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant sent from the compressor and the air for air conditioning, and the liquefied refrigerant is squeezed into wet steam so that the refrigerant and the air for air conditioning are A dehumidifying heating flow path for returning heat to the compressor is connected,
The flow path switching valve connects the inlet to both the cooling outlet and the dehumidifying and heating outlet, and connects the inlet to both the heating outlet and the dehumidifying and heating outlet. And a valve position.
[0010]
In this invention, if the flow path switching valve is in the valve position where the inlet is connected to both the cooling outlet and the dehumidifying and heating outlet, the air conditioner is in the cooler dehumidifying and heating mode, If the inlet is at the valve position connected to both the heating outlet and the dehumidifying heating outlet, the air conditioner is in the warm dehumidifying and heating mode.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 2 is the air conditioner according to claim 1,
The flow path switching valve further includes a valve position in which the inlet is connected only to the cooling outlet, a valve position in which the inlet is connected only to the heating outlet, and the inlet to the dehumidifying heating outlet. And a valve position connected only to the outlet.
[0012]
In the present invention, five operation modes of cooling, cool dehumidifying heating, normal dehumidifying heating, warm dehumidifying heating and heating can be obtained by switching the flow path switching valve.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 3 is the air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2,
The flow path switching valve is of a spool valve type, and the three discharge ports are adjacent to the cooling discharge port and the dehumidifying heating discharge port, the dehumidifying heating discharge port and the heating discharge port, Are arranged side by side so as to be adjacent to each other.
[0014]
The flow path switching valve in this case may be a direct acting spool valve or a rotary spool valve. In this invention, since the three discharge ports of the flow path switching valve are arranged in the order of the cooling discharge port, the dehumidifying and heating discharge port, and the heating discharge port, The switching valve can be switched between a valve position where the inlet is connected to both the cooling outlet and the dehumidifying and heating outlet, and a valve position connected to both the heating outlet and the dehumidifying and heating outlet. Furthermore, it is possible to switch between a valve position connected only to the cooling outlet, a valve position connected only to the dehumidifying and heating outlet, and a valve position connected only to the heating outlet, and the structure of the flow path switching valve is simple. become. Further, when the inlet is located at a valve connected to both the cooling outlet and the dehumidifying and heating outlet, the cooling outlet and the dehumidifying and heating outlet are controlled by finely controlling the position of the spool valve. It is also possible to change the distribution ratio of the refrigerant to stepwise or continuously. This also applies to the distribution ratio of the refrigerant to the heating outlet and the dehumidifying heating outlet.
[0015]
The invention according to claim 4 is the air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A refrigerant-type air cooler that includes an air passage through which air-conditioning air flows and cools the air-conditioning air by heat exchange with the refrigerant, and a refrigerant-type air heater that heats the air-conditioning air by heat exchange with the refrigerant And a damper that adjusts the amount of air-conditioning air that passes through the air heater between the air cooler and the air heater, as well as disposed upstream and downstream in the air passage. It is characterized by being.
[0016]
In this invention, since air-conditioning air can be heated by an air heater after being cooled by an air cooler, dehumidification heating can be performed, and if the amount of air-conditioning air passing through the air heater is reduced by a damper If the cooling capacity is increased and the amount of air-conditioning air passing through the air heater is increased by the damper, the heating capacity is increased.
[0017]
The invention according to claim 5
An electric refrigerant compressor;
Provided in the air passage through which the air for air conditioning flows, is connected to the discharge port of the compressor, and heats the air for air conditioning by exchanging heat between the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant vapor discharged from the compressor and the air-conditioning air. A refrigerant-type air heater for
A flow path switching valve provided with one inflow port connected to the air heater and into which refrigerant flowing through the air heater flows, and three independent discharge ports for cooling, heating, and dehumidifying heating;
A refrigerant condenser connected to the cooling outlet of the flow path switching valve and configured to cool and condense the refrigerant discharged from the cooling outlet with a cooling medium;
A first throttle means connected to the refrigerant condenser via a first check valve for preventing the refrigerant from flowing back to the refrigerant condenser and evaporating a part of the refrigerant condensed by the refrigerant condenser; ,
The air passage is disposed on the upstream side of the air heater and connected to the first throttle means, and the refrigerant that has passed through the first throttle means exchanges heat with the air-conditioning air to cool the air-conditioning air. An air cooler for
A second throttle means connected to the heating outlet of the flow path switching valve for evaporating a part of the refrigerant discharged from the heating outlet;
A refrigerant heater connected to the second squeezing means and heating the refrigerant having passed through the second squeezing means with a heating medium;
A flow rate adjusting means disposed between the air cooler and the air heater in the air passage, for adjusting the amount of air-conditioning air passing through the air heater;
The air cooler and the refrigerant heater are each connected to an inlet of the compressor to return the refrigerant to the compressor;
The dehumidifying and heating outlet of the flow path switching valve is connected to the first throttling means via a second check valve that prevents the refrigerant from flowing back to the dehumidifying and heating outlet.
The flow path switching valve connects the inlet to a valve position connected only to the cooling outlet, a valve position connected only to the heating outlet, and only to the dehumidifying heating outlet. A valve position connected to both the cooling outlet and the dehumidifying heating outlet, and a valve position connected to both the heating outlet and the dehumidifying heating outlet,
When the flow path switching valve is in a valve position where the inlet is connected only to the cooling discharge port, the compressor, the air heater, the flow path switching valve, the refrigerant condenser, the first check valve, the first Only the refrigerant circuit for cooling that goes around the throttle means and the air cooler in order and returns to the compressor is configured,
When the flow path switching valve is in a valve position where the inlet is connected only to the heating outlet, the air heater, the flow path switching valve, the second throttle means, and the refrigerant heater are circulated in order from the compressor. Thus, only the refrigerant circuit for heating returning to the compressor is configured,
When the flow path switching valve is in a valve position where the inlet is connected only to the discharge port for dehumidifying heating, from the compressor, an air heater, a flow path switching valve, a second check valve, a first throttle means, And only the refrigerant circuit for dehumidifying heating that goes around the air cooler and returns to the compressor is configured,
When the flow path switching valve is at a valve position connecting the inlet to both the cooling outlet and the dehumidifying heating outlet, the cooling refrigerant circuit and the dehumidifying heating refrigerant circuit are both configured,
When the flow path switching valve is at the valve position connecting the inlet to both the heating outlet and the dehumidifying heating outlet, the heating refrigerant circuit and the dehumidifying heating refrigerant circuit are both configured,
The flow rate adjusting means minimizes the amount of air conditioning air passing through the air heater when only the cooling refrigerant circuit is configured in conjunction with the switching of the flow path switching valve, and the heating refrigerant When only the circuit is configured, the amount of air conditioning air passing through the air heater is maximized, and when the cooling refrigerant circuit and the dehumidifying heating refrigerant circuit are both configured, the dehumidifying heating refrigerant circuit is And when the heating refrigerant circuit and the dehumidifying heating refrigerant circuit are both configured, the air-conditioning air amount operates in a stepwise manner in the description order. It is an air conditioner.
[0018]
Thus, without complicating the refrigerant circuit, by switching the flow path switching valve and adjusting the flow rate by the flow rate adjusting means linked thereto, cooling, cool dehumidifying heating, normal dehumidifying heating, warm dehumidifying heating and Five operation modes of heating can be obtained.
[0019]
An invention according to claim 6 is an air conditioning apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5 for a vehicle,
A second air heater for heating air-conditioning air by a heating medium heated by heat exchange with the engine of the vehicle, the second air heater being downstream of the damper in the air passage In addition, the damper is arranged so that the amount of passing air is adjusted in the same manner as the refrigerant air heater.
[0020]
In this invention, the air-conditioning air can be heated not only by the refrigerant air heater but also by the second air heater using the heat of the engine. The required ability is reduced. That is, even if the capacity of the refrigerant compressor is not increased, the saturation temperature of the refrigerant condensed by the refrigerant air heater can be increased, so that sufficient heating can be performed without consuming a large amount of power. . Engine cooling water or engine oil can be used as the heating medium.
[0021]
The invention according to claim 7 is the air conditioner according to claim 6,
An electric pump for circulating the heating medium between the engine and the second air heater is provided.
[0022]
Thereby, even when the engine is stopped, the air for air conditioning can be heated with the residual heat.
[0023]
The invention according to claim 8 is the air conditioner according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein
A refrigerant heater for heating the refrigerant discharged from the heating discharge port of the flow path switching valve by the heating medium is provided.
[0024]
Thereby, the heat of the engine can be used more effectively.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
Therefore, according to the invention of this application, in the heat pump type air conditioner equipped with the electric refrigerant compressor, one inlet into which the refrigerant sent from the compressor flows, and for cooling, heating and dehumidifying heating A flow path switching valve having three discharge ports independent from each other, and the flow path switching valve connects the inlet to both the cooling outlet and the dehumidifying heating outlet. Since the inflow port has a valve position connected to both the heating outlet and the dehumidifying heating outlet, the air conditioner is switched between a cooler dehumidifying heating operation mode and a warmer dehumidifying heating operation mode. Therefore, fine dehumidification can be performed with a simple structure.
[0026]
In addition, a valve position in which the inlet is connected only to the cooling outlet, a valve position in which the inlet is connected only to the heating outlet, and the inlet is dehumidified and heated. According to the invention in which the valve position connected only to the discharge outlet is provided, by switching the flow path switching valve, cooling, cool dehumidifying heating, ordinary dehumidifying heating, warm dehumidifying heating, and heating 5 Two operation modes can be obtained, and finer air conditioning can be performed with a simple structure.
[0027]
In addition, the flow path switching valve is a spool valve type, and the discharge outlet for cooling and the discharge outlet for dehumidification heating are adjacent to each other, and the discharge outlet for the dehumidification heating and the discharge outlet for heating are adjacent to each other. According to the side-by-side invention, the above five operation modes can be switched by simple linear movement or rotation of the spool valve, and furthermore, the distribution ratio of the refrigerant to the cooling outlet and the dehumidifying heating outlet Alternatively, the distribution ratio of the refrigerant with respect to the heating outlet and the dehumidifying heating outlet can be changed stepwise or continuously so that finer air conditioning can be performed.
[0028]
Also, a refrigerant type air cooler and a refrigerant type air heater are arranged in an air passage through which air for air conditioning flows so that the former is on the upstream side and the latter is on the downstream side. According to the invention in which the damper for adjusting the amount of air-conditioning air passing through the air heater is disposed between the air heater and the air-conditioning air, the dehumidifying heating can be performed by heating the air-conditioning air after being cooled. By adjusting the amount of air-conditioning air passing through the air heater, fine dehumidification and temperature adjustment can be performed.
[0029]
In addition, a second air heater that heats the air-conditioning air using a heating medium heated by heat exchange with the engine of the vehicle is provided, and the amount of air passing through the second air heater is adjusted by a damper. According to the above-described invention, since the heat of the engine can be used for air conditioning, the power consumption of the electric compressor can be suppressed.
[0030]
Further, according to the invention including the electric pump that circulates the heating medium between the engine and the second air heater, the air-conditioning air is heated by the residual heat even when the engine is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a significant decrease in air conditioning performance due to a temporary stop of the engine.
[0031]
Further, according to the invention including the refrigerant heater that heats the refrigerant discharged from the heating outlet of the flow path switching valve by the heating medium using the engine as a heat source, the heat of the engine can be used more effectively. Can do.
[0032]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1 to 5 show an automotive air conditioner. In the figure, solid arrows indicate the flow of refrigerant, and broken arrows indicate the flow of engine cooling water.
[0033]
In the figure, 1 is an engine constituting an automobile power plant, 2 is an air conditioning duct (air passage) for sending air conditioning air to the passenger compartment, and 3 is an electric motor constituting a heat pump type (vapor compression type) air conditioning refrigerant circuit. , 4 is a refrigerant flow path, and 20 is an engine coolant flow path. The air-conditioning duct 2 switches between outside air and vehicle interior air or takes it in simultaneously. As the refrigerant circuit, there are a cooling refrigerant circuit, a heating refrigerant circuit, and a dehumidifying and heating refrigerant circuit, and each refrigerant circuit is configured by switching a flow path to be described later, or a plurality of refrigerant circuits are configured simultaneously. Can be done.
[0034]
<Refrigerant circuit components>
The components of the refrigerant circuit will be described.
[0035]
The element shown by the code | symbol 5 is the refrigerant | coolant type air heater provided in the air-conditioning duct 2, and was connected to the discharge port of the said compressor 3, the high-temperature / high-pressure refrigerant | coolant vapor | steam discharged from the compressor 3, and air-conditioning use The air-conditioning air is heated by exchanging heat with air.
[0036]
The element denoted by reference numeral 6 is connected to the air heater 5 and has one inflow port 7 through which the refrigerant passed through the air heater 5 flows, and three independent discharge ports 8 for cooling, heating and dehumidifying heating. , 9 and 10.
[0037]
The element denoted by reference numeral 11 is a refrigerant condenser connected to the cooling outlet 8 of the flow path switching valve 6, and the refrigerant discharged from the cooling outlet 8 is cooled and condensed by the cooling medium. Is. In this case, the cooling medium is outside air and condenses the refrigerant using traveling air.
[0038]
The element denoted by reference numeral 12 is a first throttle valve (throttle means) connected to the refrigerant condenser 11 via a first check valve 13 that prevents the refrigerant from flowing back to the refrigerant condenser 11. This is for evaporating a part of the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 11.
[0039]
The element denoted by reference numeral 14 is an air cooler disposed upstream of the air heater 5 in the air conditioning duct 2, connected to the first throttle valve 12, and passed through the first throttle valve 12. This is for cooling the air-conditioning air by exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the air-conditioning air.
[0040]
The element denoted by reference numeral 15 is a second throttle means that is connected to the heating discharge port 9 of the flow path switching valve 6 and evaporates a part of the refrigerant discharged from the heating discharge port 9.
[0041]
The element denoted by reference numeral 16 is a refrigerant heater that is connected to the second throttle valve 15 and heats the refrigerant that has passed through the second throttle valve 15 with a heating medium. As this heating medium, engine cooling water heated by heat exchange with the engine is used.
[0042]
The element denoted by reference numeral 17 is disposed between the air cooler 14 and the air heater 5 in the air conditioning duct 2 and is a damper (flow rate adjusting means) for adjusting the amount of air conditioning air passing through the air heater 5. ). That is, the air cooler 14 is provided so that all of the air-conditioning air passing through the air conditioning duct 2 passes through the air cooler 14, and the air heater 5 has a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the air-conditioning duct 2. The air conditioning duct 2 is disposed so as to be in contact with the inner wall of the air conditioning duct 2. The damper 17 has one end pivotally supported at the substantially center of the air conditioning duct 2 and the other end abutting against the inner wall on the air heater 5 side so that the amount of air conditioning air passing through the air heater 5 is reduced. From the fully closed position, which is substantially zero, the other end is brought into contact with the inner wall opposite to the air heater 5 so that substantially the entire amount of air for air conditioning passes through the air heater 5. It rotates in steps (or continuously) until it reaches the fully open position.
[0043]
The element denoted by reference numeral 18 is a second passage interposed in the refrigerant passage that connects the dehumidifying and heating discharge port 10 of the flow path switching valve 6 to the first throttle valve 11 on the downstream side of the first check valve 13. It is a check valve, and prevents the refrigerant from flowing back to the dehumidifying and heating discharge port 10.
[0044]
The air cooler 14 and the refrigerant heater 16 are respectively connected to the inlet of the compressor 3 so as to return the refrigerant to the compressor 3.
[0045]
<Engine cooling water, etc.>
On the upstream side of the refrigerant air heater 5 in the air conditioning duct 2, there is provided a second air heater 19 that heats air for air conditioning by engine cooling water heated by heat exchange with the engine 1. In the second air heater 19, the amount of passing air is adjusted by the damper 17 in the same manner as the refrigerant air heater 5. That is, the air heaters 5 and 19 are disposed adjacent to each other in the air flow direction so that the entire amount of air-conditioning air that has passed through the second air heater 19 passes through the refrigerant air heater 5. .
[0046]
The circulation path of the engine cooling water includes a radiator 21, a thermostat valve 22, an electric pump 23 for cooling water, the second air heater 19, and the refrigerant heater 16 that cool the cooling water that has exited the engine 1 with traveling wind. It is configured to return to the engine 1 around. In addition, a bypass passage 24 that bypasses the radiator 21 from the engine 1 and sends cooling water to the thermostat valve 22 is provided. The thermostat valve 22 connects the bypass passage 24 to the pump 23 until the engine cooling water temperature reaches a predetermined temperature so that the engine cooling water flows through the radiator 21 and bypasses when the temperature reaches the predetermined temperature. The cooling water that blocks the passage 24 and passes through the radiator 21 flows to the pump 23.
[0047]
<Flow path switching valve>
The flow path switching valve 6 is fitted to a cylindrical valve body 25 having a square cross-section inner chamber so that a square cross-section spool 27 driven by a stepping motor 26 reciprocates linearly. The three discharge ports 8 to 10 are formed so as to be arranged in a straight line in the order of the cooling discharge port 8, the dehumidifying and heating discharge port 10, and the heating discharge port 9 at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the valve body 25. ing. The inflow port 7 is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the valve body 25 so as to face the three discharge ports 8 to 10.
[0048]
The spool 27 includes a refrigerant passage hole 29 that passes through the spool 27, and has a valve position in which both ends of the refrigerant passage hole 29 are connected only to the inlet 7 and the cooling outlet 8, and the flow A valve position connected only to the inlet 7 and the heating outlet 9, a valve position connected only to the inlet 7 and the dehumidifying heating outlet 10, and the inlet 7 and the cooling outlet 8 And the valve position where both the dehumidifying and heating outlet 10 are connected, and the valve position where both the inlet 7, the heating outlet 9 and the dehumidifying and heating outlet 10 are connected. Is provided.
[0049]
That is, the hole diameter of the refrigerant passage hole 29 is formed wider than the distance between the cooling outlet 8 and the dehumidifying and heating outlet 10 and the distance between the heating outlet 9 and the dehumidifying and heating outlet 10. The valve position of both connections can be taken.
[0050]
Further, a female screw 31 is formed in the spool 27, and a male screw 33 at the tip of the output shaft 32 of the stepping motor 26 is screwed into the female screw 31. The rotation of the output shaft 32 causes the spool 27 to move to the valve positions described above. To come and go. Air vent holes are formed at both ends of the spool hole of the valve body 25.
[0051]
<Each refrigerant circuit>
As shown in FIG. 1, when the flow path switching valve 6 is in a valve position where the inlet 7 is connected only to the cooling discharge port 8, the air heater 5 and the flow path switching valve 6 are connected from the compressor 3. Cooling returns to the compressor 3 through the inlet 7, the refrigerant passage hole 29, the cooling outlet 8, the refrigerant condenser 11, the first check valve 13, the first throttle valve 12, and the air cooler 14 in order. Only the refrigerant circuit for the vehicle is configured.
[0052]
As shown in FIG. 2, when the flow path switching valve 6 is in a valve position that connects the inlet 7 only to the heating discharge port 10, the air heater 5 and the flow path switching valve 6 are connected from the compressor 3. Only the heating refrigerant circuit that returns to the compressor 3 through the inflow port 7, the refrigerant passage hole 29, the heating discharge port 9, the second throttle valve 15, and the refrigerant heater 16 is configured.
[0053]
As shown in FIG. 3, when the flow path switching valve 6 is in a valve position that connects the inlet 7 only to the dehumidifying and heating discharge port 10, the air heater 5 and the flow path switching valve 6 are connected from the compressor 3. The refrigerant for dehumidifying heating returns to the compressor 3 through the inlet 7, the refrigerant passage hole 29, the dehumidifying heating outlet 10, the second check valve 18, the first throttle valve 12, and the air cooler 14 in order. Only the circuit is configured.
[0054]
As shown in FIG. 4, when the flow path switching valve 6 is in a valve position that connects the inlet 7 to both the cooling outlet 8 and the dehumidifying heating outlet 10, the cooling refrigerant circuit and the dehumidifying heating Together with the refrigerant circuit.
[0055]
As shown in FIG. 5, when the flow path switching valve 6 is in a valve position that connects the inlet 7 to both the heating outlet 9 and the dehumidifying heating outlet 10, the heating refrigerant circuit and the dehumidifying heating are used. Together with the refrigerant circuit.
[0056]
<About damper 17>
The damper 17 is interlocked with the switching of the flow path switching valve 6, and when only the cooling refrigerant circuit is configured as shown in FIG. 1, air conditioning that passes through the air heaters 5, 19. 2 when the heating refrigerant circuit is configured as shown in FIG. 2, and when the heating refrigerant circuit and the dehumidifying heating refrigerant circuit are arranged as shown in FIG. When both are configured, the total amount of air-conditioning air that has passed through the air cooler 14 becomes a fully open position that passes through the air heaters 5 and 19, and the cooling refrigerant circuit and the dehumidifying heating refrigerant as shown in FIG. When the circuit is configured together, half of the air-conditioning air that has passed through the air cooler 14 becomes a half-open position that passes through the air heaters 5 and 19, and the dehumidifying and heating refrigerant circuit as shown in FIG. When configured only from the above half-open Opening increases.
[0057]
<Air conditioning operating modes>
-Cooling operation-
In the cooling operation, as shown in FIG. 1, the flow path switching valve 6 is connected to the inlet 7 only to the cooling discharge port 8 to be a valve position that constitutes a cooling refrigerant circuit. Since it is higher, the thermostat valve 11 is in a state in which the bypass passage 24 is closed, and the damper 17 is in the fully closed position.
[0058]
Accordingly, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant that has come out of the compressor 3 first enters the refrigerant-type air heater 5, but air conditioning air is prevented from passing through the air heater 5 by the damper 17. The refrigerant passes through the air heater 5. Next, the refrigerant passes through the flow path switching valve 6 and is discharged from the cooling discharge port 8. The refrigerant is condensed by heat exchange with the traveling wind by the refrigerant condenser 11, passes through the first check valve 13, and passes through the first check valve 13. By passing through the throttle valve 12, the pressure is reduced to become a low-temperature and low-pressure gas-liquid mixture (wet steam), and the air cooler 14 of the duct 2 cools the air-conditioning air to become a high-temperature and low-pressure gas. Return.
[0059]
Therefore, the entire amount of the air-conditioning air cooled by the air cooler 14 is sent to the passenger compartment without passing through the air heaters 5 and 19, so that powerful cooling can be realized.
[0060]
The engine coolant heated by the engine 1 returns to the engine 1 through the radiator 21, the thermostat valve 22, the electric pump 23, the second air heater 19, and the refrigerant heater 16, but the second air The heater 19 is blocked by the damper 17, and the refrigerant does not flow into the refrigerant heater 16, so that it does not contribute to air conditioning.
[0061]
-Heating operation-
As shown in FIG. 2, in the heating operation, the flow path switching valve 6 is connected to the inlet 7 only to the heating outlet 9 to be a valve position constituting a heating refrigerant circuit. Is not too high, the thermostat valve 11 is in a state in which the bypass passage 24 is opened, and the damper 17 is in the fully open position.
[0062]
Accordingly, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 heats the air-conditioning air in the air heater 5 and is discharged from the heating discharge port 9 through the flow path switching valve 6. The refrigerant is depressurized by passing through 15, is heated by the engine cooling water in the refrigerant heater 16, and returns to the compressor 3. The engine coolant heated by the engine 1 returns to the engine 1 through the bypass passage 24, the thermostat valve 22, the electric pump 23, the second air heater 19, and the refrigerant heater 16, and the second air The heater 19 heats the air-conditioning air, and the refrigerant heater 16 heats the refrigerant.
[0063]
Therefore, after the air for air conditioning is heated by the second air heater 19, it is further heated by the refrigerant-type air heater 5 and sent to the passenger compartment, so that powerful heating is realized.
[0064]
-Normal dehumidifying heating operation-
In the normal dehumidifying and heating operation, as shown in FIG. 3, the flow path switching valve 6 is connected to the inlet 7 only to the dehumidifying and heating discharge port 10 to be a valve position constituting a refrigerant circuit for dehumidifying and heating. Since the engine coolant temperature is not excessively high, the thermostat valve 11 is in a state where the bypass passage 24 is opened, and the damper 17 is in a position opened more than half open.
[0065]
Therefore, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 heats the air-conditioning air in the air heater 5, is discharged from the dehumidifying and heating discharge port 10 through the flow path switching valve 6, and the second check By passing through the valve 18 and passing through the first throttle valve 12, the pressure is reduced to become a low-temperature and low-pressure gas-liquid mixture, and the air cooler 14 of the duct 2 cools the air-conditioning air to become a high-temperature and low-pressure gas. Return to the compressor 3. The engine coolant heated by the engine 1 returns to the engine 1 through the bypass passage 24, the thermostat valve 22, the electric pump 23, the second air heater 19, and the refrigerant heater 16, and the second air The air conditioning air is heated in the heater 19. Since the refrigerant does not flow through the refrigerant heater 16, it is not used for heating the refrigerant.
[0066]
Therefore, after the air-conditioning air is cooled by the air cooler 14, a part of the air is heated by the air heaters 19 and 5, so that the dehumidified warm air is sent into the vehicle interior. become.
[0067]
-Cooling dehumidification heating operation-
In the cool dehumidifying heating operation, as shown in FIG. 4, the flow path switching valve 6 connects the inlet 7 to both the cooling outlet 8 and the dehumidifying heating outlet 10 to cool the dehumidifying heating refrigerant. While the valve position constituting the circuit is set, the engine coolant temperature is not normally excessively high, so that the thermostat valve 11 is in a state where the bypass passage 24 is opened, and the damper 17 is in the half-open position.
[0068]
Therefore, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 heats the air for air conditioning in the air heater 5, and part of the refrigerant is discharged from the cooling outlet 8 through the flow path switching valve 6. It is condensed by heat exchange with the traveling wind by the condenser 11, passes through the first check valve 13, is reduced in pressure by passing through the first throttle valve 12, becomes a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid mixture, and air in the duct 2 The air-conditioning air is cooled by the cooler 14 to return to the compressor 3 as a high-temperature and low-pressure gas. The remainder of the refrigerant passing through the flow path switching valve 6 is discharged from the dehumidifying and heating discharge port 10, passes through the second check valve 18, and is reduced in pressure by passing through the first throttle valve 12, so that low-temperature and low-pressure gas-liquid mixing The air-conditioning air is cooled by the air cooler 14 of the duct 2 to return to the compressor 3 as a high-temperature and low-pressure gas.
[0069]
The engine coolant heated by the engine 1 returns to the engine 1 through the bypass passage 24, the thermostat valve 22, the electric pump 23, the second air heater 19, and the refrigerant heater 16, and the second air heater At 19, the air for air conditioning is heated. Since the refrigerant does not flow through the refrigerant heater 16, it is not used for heating the refrigerant.
[0070]
Therefore, after the air for air conditioning is cooled by the air cooler 14 more strongly than in the case of normal dehumidification heating, half of the air is heated by the air heaters 19 and 5, and thereby, The dehumidified air is sent into the passenger compartment.
[0071]
-Warm eye dehumidifying heating operation-
In the warm dehumidifying and heating operation, as shown in FIG. 5, the flow path switching valve 6 connects the inlet 7 to both the heating outlet 9 and the dehumidifying and heating outlet 10 so that the warm dehumidifying heating refrigerant is connected. While the valve position constituting the circuit is set, the engine coolant temperature is not normally excessively high, so that the thermostat valve 11 is in a state where the bypass passage 24 is opened, and the damper 17 is in the fully open position.
[0072]
Therefore, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 heats the air for air conditioning in the air heater 5, and part of the refrigerant is discharged from the heating discharge port 9 through the flow path switching valve 6. The pressure is reduced by passing through the two-throttle valve 15 and heated by the engine cooling water in the refrigerant heater 16 to return to the compressor 3. The remainder of the refrigerant passing through the flow path switching valve 6 is discharged from the dehumidifying and heating discharge port 10, passes through the second check valve 18, and is reduced in pressure by passing through the first throttle valve 12, so that low-temperature and low-pressure gas-liquid mixing The air-conditioning air is cooled by the air cooler 14 of the duct 2 to return to the compressor 3 as a high-temperature and low-pressure gas.
[0073]
The engine coolant heated by the engine 1 returns to the engine 1 through the bypass passage 24, the thermostat valve 22, the electric pump 23, the second air heater 19, and the refrigerant heater 16, and the second air heater In 19, air-conditioning air is heated, and in the refrigerant heater 16, the refrigerant is heated.
[0074]
Therefore, after the air for air conditioning is cooled by the air cooler 14 more weakly than in the case of normal dehumidifying heating, the entire amount is heated by the air heaters 19 and 5, and thereby, The dehumidified air is sent into the passenger compartment.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram during cooling operation of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram at the time of heating operation of the air conditioner.
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram during normal dehumidifying and heating operation of the air conditioner.
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram during the dehumidifying and heating operation of the cool air of the air conditioner.
FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram at the time of dehumidifying and heating operation of the warm eye of the dynamic air conditioner.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 engine
2 Air conditioning duct
3 Electric refrigerant compressor
5 Refrigerant air heater
6 Flow path switching valve
7 Inlet
8 Cooling outlet
9 Heating outlet
10 Dehumidifying heating outlet
11 Refrigerant condenser
12 First throttle valve
14 Refrigerant air cooler
15 Second throttle valve
16 Refrigerant heater
17 Damper (Flow rate adjusting means)
19 Second air heater (hot water type air heater)
21 Radiator
23 Electric pump

Claims

A heat pump type air conditioner equipped with an electric refrigerant compressor,
A flow path switching valve provided with one inflow port into which refrigerant sent from the compressor flows, and three independent discharge ports for cooling, heating, and dehumidifying heating;
In the cooling outlet, the refrigerant sent from the compressor is cooled, condensed, squeezed into wet steam, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant and air-conditioning air, and the refrigerant is returned to the compressor. The cooling channel is connected,
At the heating outlet, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant sent from the compressor and the air for air conditioning, and the liquefied refrigerant is squeezed into wet steam, and then heated and evaporated to return to the compressor. A heating flow path is connected,
In the dehumidifying and heating outlet, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant sent from the compressor and the air for air conditioning, and the liquefied refrigerant is squeezed into wet steam so that the refrigerant and the air for air conditioning are A dehumidifying heating flow path for returning heat to the compressor is connected,
The flow path switching valve connects the inlet to both the cooling outlet and the dehumidifying and heating outlet, and connects the inlet to both the heating outlet and the dehumidifying and heating outlet. An air conditioner having a valve position.

In the air conditioner described in claim 1,
The flow path switching valve further includes a valve position in which the inlet is connected only to the cooling outlet, a valve position in which the inlet is connected only to the heating outlet, and the inlet to the dehumidifying heating outlet. An air conditioner having a valve position connected only to the outlet.

In the air conditioner described in claim 1 or claim 2,
The flow path switching valve is of a spool valve type, and the three discharge ports are adjacent to the cooling discharge port and the dehumidifying heating discharge port, the dehumidifying heating discharge port and the heating discharge port, The air conditioner characterized by being arranged side by side so as to be adjacent to each other.

In the air conditioner as described in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 3,
A refrigerant-type air cooler that includes an air passage through which air-conditioning air flows and cools the air-conditioning air by heat exchange with the refrigerant, and a refrigerant-type air heater that heats the air-conditioning air by heat exchange with the refrigerant And a flow rate adjusting means that is disposed on the upstream side and the downstream side in the air passage, and that adjusts the amount of air-conditioning air passing through the air heater between the air cooler and the air heater. An air conditioner characterized by being arranged.

An electric refrigerant compressor;
Provided in the air passage through which the air for air conditioning flows, is connected to the discharge port of the compressor, and heats the air for air conditioning by exchanging heat between the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant vapor discharged from the compressor and the air-conditioning air. An air heater to
A flow path switching valve provided with one inflow port connected to the air heater and into which refrigerant flowing through the air heater flows, and three independent discharge ports for cooling, heating, and dehumidifying heating;
A refrigerant condenser connected to the cooling outlet of the flow path switching valve and configured to cool and condense the refrigerant discharged from the cooling outlet with a cooling medium;
A first throttle means connected to the refrigerant condenser via a first check valve for preventing the refrigerant from flowing back to the refrigerant condenser and evaporating a part of the refrigerant condensed by the refrigerant condenser; ,
The air passage is disposed on the upstream side of the air heater and connected to the first throttle means, and the refrigerant that has passed through the first throttle means exchanges heat with the air-conditioning air to cool the air-conditioning air. A refrigerant-type air cooler,
A second throttle means connected to the heating outlet of the flow path switching valve for evaporating a part of the refrigerant discharged from the heating outlet;
A refrigerant heater connected to the second squeezing means and heating the refrigerant having passed through the second squeezing means with a heating medium;
A flow rate adjusting means disposed between the air cooler and the air heater in the air passage, for adjusting the amount of air-conditioning air passing through the air heater;
The air cooler and the refrigerant heater are each connected to an inlet of the compressor to return the refrigerant to the compressor;
The dehumidifying and heating outlet of the flow path switching valve is connected to the first throttling means via a second check valve that prevents the refrigerant from flowing back to the dehumidifying and heating outlet.
The flow path switching valve connects the inlet to a valve position connected only to the cooling outlet, a valve position connected only to the heating outlet, and only to the dehumidifying heating outlet. A valve position connected to both the cooling outlet and the dehumidifying heating outlet, and a valve position connected to both the heating outlet and the dehumidifying heating outlet,
When the flow path switching valve is in a valve position where the inlet is connected only to the cooling discharge port, the compressor, the air heater, the flow path switching valve, the refrigerant condenser, the first check valve, the first Only the refrigerant circuit for cooling that goes around the throttle means and the air cooler in order and returns to the compressor is configured,
When the flow path switching valve is in a valve position where the inlet is connected only to the heating outlet, the air heater, the flow path switching valve, the second throttle means, and the refrigerant heater are circulated in order from the compressor. Thus, only the refrigerant circuit for heating returning to the compressor is configured,
When the flow path switching valve is in a valve position where the inlet is connected only to the discharge port for dehumidifying heating, from the compressor, an air heater, a flow path switching valve, a second check valve, a first throttle means, And only the refrigerant circuit for dehumidifying heating that goes around the air cooler and returns to the compressor is configured,
When the flow path switching valve is at a valve position connecting the inlet to both the cooling outlet and the dehumidifying heating outlet, the cooling refrigerant circuit and the dehumidifying heating refrigerant circuit are both configured,
When the flow path switching valve is at the valve position connecting the inlet to both the heating outlet and the dehumidifying heating outlet, the heating refrigerant circuit and the dehumidifying heating refrigerant circuit are both configured,
The flow rate adjusting means minimizes the amount of air conditioning air passing through the air heater when only the cooling refrigerant circuit is configured in conjunction with the switching of the flow path switching valve, and the heating refrigerant When only the circuit is configured, the amount of air conditioning air passing through the air heater is maximized, and when the cooling refrigerant circuit and the dehumidifying heating refrigerant circuit are both configured, the dehumidifying heating refrigerant circuit is And when the heating refrigerant circuit and the dehumidifying heating refrigerant circuit are both configured, the air-conditioning air amount operates in a stepwise manner in the description order. Air conditioner to do.

The air conditioner described in claim 4 or claim 5 is for a vehicle,
A second air heater for heating air-conditioning air by a heating medium heated by heat exchange with the engine of the vehicle, the second air heater being downstream of the damper in the air passage Further, the air conditioner is arranged such that the amount of passing air is adjusted by the damper in the same manner as the refrigerant type air heater.

In the air conditioner described in claim 6,
An air conditioner comprising an electric pump for circulating the heating medium between the engine and a second air heater.

In the air conditioner described in claim 6 or claim 7,
An air conditioner comprising a refrigerant heater that heats the refrigerant discharged from the heating outlet of the flow path switching valve with the heating medium.