JP4466468B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner including an air filter, for example, mounted on a vehicle.

  For example, an air conditioner mounted on a vehicle includes an air filter for filtering pollen and mites contained in air to be air-conditioned. The air filter includes a filter medium and filters air to be conditioned. Pollen and mites contained in the air to be conditioned are collected by the filter medium.

  Pollen and ticks collected by the filter medium accumulate on the filter medium. Therefore, pollen and ticks accumulated on the filter medium may be separated from the filter medium by the vibration of the vehicle and dance in the air.

  It is not preferable that the collected pollen, ticks, etc. dance in the air. Therefore, it has been proposed to attach various chemicals to the filter medium and to make the collected pollen and mites harmless by this chemical.

  However, many of the chemicals attached to the filter media to detoxify pollen and ticks collected by the filter media are set to work effectively at room temperature, and are effective at low temperatures such as in winter. It may be difficult to act on

  On the other hand, an air conditioner that includes activated carbon and collects odorous components in the air using the activated carbon has been proposed.

In this type of air conditioner, the heater core is installed upstream of the activated carbon. And the evaporator is installed in the downstream of activated carbon (for example, refer patent document 1).
JP-A-9-99735

  The air that has passed through the heater core is raised to a temperature of about 70 to 80 degrees Celsius. Therefore, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, in an air conditioner in which a heater core is installed upstream of a filter medium to which a chemical is attached and an evaporator is installed downstream of the air filter, the air flowing into the air filter It is conceivable that the temperature exceeds the temperature range in which the chemicals attached to the filter medium act effectively. That is, if an air filter provided with a filter medium with a chemical attached thereto is used in the air conditioner disclosed in Patent Document 1, the air filter may not function effectively.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner in which an air filter works effectively.

The air conditioner of the present invention includes a housing, an air filter, and an air conditioning unit. The air filter is housed in the housing, filters foreign matters in the gas introduced into the housing, and renders the collected foreign matters harmless. The air conditioning unit is accommodated in the housing and disposed downstream of the air filter, and adjusts the temperature of the gas introduced into the housing. The housing is provided with an outlet for blowing out hot air whose temperature is adjusted by the air conditioning unit downstream of the air conditioning unit. The air filter is installed at a position where at least a part of the hot air blown out from the air outlet hits the housing.

  According to such a configuration, the air filter is warmed through the housing by the warm air adjusted by the air conditioning means. Therefore, even if the temperature is low, such as in winter, the temperature of the air filter is suppressed from being lowered and excessively warmed. Therefore, the temperature of the air filter is maintained within a range where the air filter is in an active state.

  In the preferable form of this invention, the said blower outlet is provided in a passenger | crew's step. The air filter is installed in the housing at a position where at least a part of the hot air blown out from the air outlet provided at the foot of an occupant hits.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the partial inside air inlet is provided upstream of the air filter in the housing. The partial inside air introduction port guides at least a part of the warm air heated by the air conditioning unit to the air filter.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a bent portion for bending a flow of gas flowing into the air filter is provided on the upstream side of the air filter in the housing.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bent portion includes a first portion extending in the vertical direction and a second portion provided on the downstream side of the first portion and extending in the horizontal direction.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air filter includes a filter medium. The filter medium includes a resistance portion that prevents water attached to the filter medium from flowing.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the resistance portion is a fold formed by folding the filter medium. The fold line continues in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

  Note that the fold folding referred to in the present invention is a folding method in which the folded portion is folded in one direction and then the folded portion is folded in the opposite direction. Therefore, the folds opened in one direction and the folds opened in the opposite direction are alternately continued.

  According to the air conditioner of the present invention, the air filter works effectively even when the temperature is low, such as in winter.

  An air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 schematically shows an automobile 20 equipped with an air conditioner 10. The automobile 20 is an example of a vehicle including the air conditioner 10.

  FIG. 1 shows a front portion 21 of the automobile 20. As shown in FIG. 1, a windshield 22 is installed at the front portion 21 of the automobile 20. In the vehicle interior 23, an instrument panel 24 is installed below the windshield 22.

  The air conditioner 10 is accommodated in the instrument panel 24, for example. FIG. 2 shows the air conditioner 10 in detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioner 10 includes a housing 30, an air filter 40, a blower 50, an air conditioning unit 60, and the like.

  The air filter 40, the blower 50, and the air conditioning unit 60 are accommodated in the housing 30. In the air conditioner 10, the air 201 introduced into the housing 30 is filtered for foreign matter by the air filter 40, adjusted in temperature by the air conditioning unit 60, and blown out into the vehicle interior 23 by the blower 50. In FIG. 2, a part of the foot 101 of the occupant 100 is shown below the air conditioner 10.

  The housing 30 includes an outside air inlet 31, an inside air inlet 32, an upper body side outlet 33, a window glass side outlet 34, a foot outlet 35, and a part of the inside air inlet 36. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the outside air introduction port 31 communicates with a first opening 25 provided in the vehicle body, for example, in front of the windshield 22. The first opening 25 opens to the outside of the vehicle. Air outside the vehicle body is introduced into the housing 30 through the outside air inlet 31 and the first opening 25. In addition, the 1st opening 25 and the external air introduction port 31 are connected by the 1st channel | path 11 shown with a dashed-two dotted line in the figure.

  The inside air introduction port 32 is provided on the downstream side of the outside air introduction port 31. The inside air inlet 32 communicates with, for example, a second opening (not shown) that opens into the vehicle interior 23. The air in the vehicle interior 23 is introduced into the housing 30 through the second opening and the inside air introduction port 32. The second opening and the inside air introduction port 32 communicate with each other through the second passage 12 indicated by a two-dot chain line in the drawing.

  The upper body side outlet 33 is provided downstream of the inside air inlet 32. The upper body side air outlet 33 communicates with, for example, a third opening 24 a provided in the instrument panel 24. The third opening 24 a is provided at a position facing the upper body 102 of the occupant 100.

  The air whose temperature has been adjusted by the air conditioning unit 60 described later blows out toward the vehicle interior 23 through the upper body side outlet 33 and the third opening 24a. In addition, the 3rd opening 24a and the upper body side blower outlet 33 are mutually connected by the 3rd channel | path 13 shown with a dashed-two dotted line in the figure.

  The window glass side outlet 34 is provided on the downstream side of the upper body side outlet 33. The window glass side outlet 34 communicates with, for example, a fourth opening 24 b provided in the instrument panel 24. The fourth opening 24b is provided at a position facing the windshield 22, for example.

  The air adjusted by the air conditioning unit 60 is blown out toward the windshield 22 through the window glass side outlet 34 and the fourth opening 24b. In addition, the 4th opening 24b and the window glass side blower outlet 34 are mutually connected by the 4th channel | path 14 shown with a dashed-two dotted line in the figure.

  The foot outlet 35 is provided at the foot 103 of the occupant 100. The foot outlet 35 is provided, for example, on the downstream side of the window glass side outlet 34.

  The outside air inlet 31 and the inside air inlet 32 are substantially adjacent to each other. The outside air inlet 31 opens in the vertical direction A. The inside air inlet 32 opens in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction A. The outside air introduction port 31 and the inside air introduction port 32 are opened in a direction substantially perpendicular to each other.

  An intake door 37 that opens and closes the outside air inlet 31 and the inside air inlet 32 is installed between the outside air inlet 31 and the inside air inlet 32 in the housing 30.

  When the outside air introduction port 31 is blocked by the intake door 37, the inside air introduction port 32 opens. On the contrary, when the inside air introduction port 32 is blocked by the intake door 37, the outside air introduction port 31 opens. As described above, when the intake door 37 closes one of the outside air introduction port 31 and the inside air introduction port 32, the other of the outside air introduction port 31 and the inside air introduction port 32 is in an open state.

  An upper body side air outlet opening / closing door 38 is provided at the edge of the upper body side air outlet 33. The upper body side air outlet opening / closing door 38 opens and closes the upper body side air outlet 33. A window glass side air outlet opening / closing door 39 is installed at the edge of the window glass side air outlet 34. The window glass side air outlet opening / closing door 39 opens and closes the window glass side air outlet 34.

  The air filter 40 is installed downstream of the inside air inlet 32 and upstream of the upper body side outlet 33. The air filter 40 includes a case 41, a filter medium 42, and the like. The filter medium 42 is accommodated in the case 41.

  FIG. 3 shows the air filter 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the filter medium 42 includes a filter medium main body 43 and a frame body 44. In FIG. 3, the case 41 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. The filter medium 42 is shown partially cut away.

  In FIG. 3, a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction A is indicated by an arrow B. The filter medium main body 43 is fold-folded to form a plurality of folds 45a that open in one direction and folds 45b that open in the opposite direction. Note that the fold folding referred to in the present invention is a folding method in which the folded portion is folded in one direction and then the folded portion is folded in the opposite direction. Therefore, the fold 45a opened in one direction and the fold 45b opened in the opposite direction are alternately arranged.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the range of F4 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the surface of the filter medium main body 43 is coated with a chemical 200 that renders pollen and mites harmless. The drug 200 is activated near normal temperature, for example. The air filter 40 has a function of detoxifying foreign matter such as collected pollen and ticks by applying the drug 200 to the filter medium main body 43.

  The drug 200 is not limited to being applied to the surface of the filter medium main body 43. As shown in FIG. 3, the frame body 44 is provided on the periphery of the filter medium main body 43. In the drawing, the frame body 44 is shown with a part cut away.

  The air filter 40 is installed in the housing 30 so that the folds 45 a and 45 b formed in the filter medium main body 43 are parallel to the horizontal direction B. In FIG. 2, the horizontal direction B in which the folds 45a and 45b extend is a direction from the back to the front of the paper and a direction from the front to the back of the paper. And the air filter 40 is installed in the housing 30 in the attitude | position in which each crease | fold 45a, 45b formed in the filter-medium main body 43 is located in the perpendicular direction A, for example.

  The sizes of the housing 30 and the filter medium 42 are set so that all of the air 201 introduced from the outside air inlet 31 or the inside air inlet 32 passes through the filter medium 42. Therefore, the air 201 introduced into the housing 30 is filtered by the filter medium 42.

  The shape of the range from the outside air inlet 31 to the air filter 40 in the housing 30 will be specifically described. As shown in FIG. 2, the range from the outside air inlet 31 to the air filter 40 in the housing 30 is a bent portion 70.

  The bent portion 70 has a first portion 71 and a second portion 72. The first portion 71 is a range from the outside air inlet 31 to a position beyond the inside air inlet 32. The second portion 72 is a range from the downstream end of the first portion 71 to the air filter 40.

  The first portion 71 extends in the vertical direction A. The second portion 72 extends in the horizontal direction B1. The second portion 72 is below the first portion 71 in the vertical direction A.

  The blower 50 is installed downstream of the air filter 40 and upstream of the upper body side outlet 33. The blower 50 has a function of blowing the air that has passed through the air filter 40 from the upper body side outlet 33, the window glass side outlet 34, and the foot outlet 35.

  The shape of the position where the blower 50 is installed in the housing 30 will be specifically described. In the housing 30, the downstream side of the air filter 40 extends obliquely upward in a direction away from the air filter 40, for example. The blower 50 is installed above the air filter 40.

  The air conditioning unit 60 is installed on the downstream side of the blower 50 and on the upstream side of the upper body side outlet 33. The air conditioning unit 60 has a function of adjusting the temperature of the air 201 introduced from the outside air introduction port 31 or the inside air introduction port 32. The air conditioning unit 60 includes an evaporator 61, a heater core 62, an air mix door 63, and the like.

  The evaporator 61 is installed on the downstream side of the blower 50. The evaporator 61 is located below the blower 50.

  The heater core 62 is installed on the downstream side of the evaporator 61. The heater core 62 occupies the lower part of the flow path cross section of the housing 30 at the position where the heater core 62 is installed. Therefore, an upper passage 64 is defined above the heater core 62 in the housing 30.

  The air mix door 63 is installed on the upstream side of the heater core 62. The air mix door 63 opens and closes the heater core 62 and the upper passage 64.

  When the flow path to the heater core 62 is closed by the air mix door 63, the upper passage 64 opens. Conversely, when the upper passage 64 is blocked by the air mix door 63, the passage to the heater core 62 opens.

  As described above, when the air mix door 63 blocks one of the passage to the heater core 62 and the upper passage 64, the other of the passage to the heater core 62 and the upper passage 64 is opened.

  Further, by adjusting the opening degree of the air mix door 63, a part of the introduced air passes through the heater core 62, and the remainder of the introduced air passes through the upper passage 64. By doing in this way, the air-conditioning part 60 adjusts the temperature of the introduced air.

  Here, the place where the air filter 40 is installed will be specifically described. The temperature of the air 201 introduced from the outside air inlet 31 and the inside air inlet 32 is adjusted by the air conditioning unit 60.

  A part of the air whose temperature is adjusted by the air conditioning unit 60 is blown out from the foot outlet 35 toward the foot 103.

  For example, when the warm air 80 heated by the air conditioning unit 60 is blown out from the foot outlet 35, for example, in winter, a part 80a of the warm air 80 hits the housing 30 as shown in the figure. In the housing 30, the position P where the hot air 80 hits is warmed by the hot air 80. The air filter 40 is installed at a position P where at least a part 80 a of the hot air 80 hits the housing 30.

  In the present embodiment, the foot outlet 35 extends, for example, to the vicinity of the upstream portion of the housing 30. Therefore, a part 80 a of the warm air 80 blown from the foot outlet 35 is likely to hit the upstream portion of the housing 30.

  Note that the shape of the housing 30 may be formed so that the hot air 80 is easily hit.

  The partial inside air inlet 36 is provided in the housing 30 immediately before the upstream side of the air filter 40. The partial inside air inlet 36 communicates the interior 23 of the vehicle with the interior of the housing 30. A partial internal air introduction opening / closing door 81 is installed at the edge of the partial internal air introduction port 36.

  The partial inside air inlet opening / closing door 81 is set to open when the warm air 80 is blown out from the foot outlet 35, for example. Therefore, when the warm air 80 is blown from the foot outlet 35, a part 80 a of the blown warm air 80 is partially introduced into the housing 30 through the inside air introduction port 36.

  Next, the operation of the air conditioner 10 will be described with an example of an operation in a state where the temperature is low, such as in winter.

  When the temperature is low, such as in winter, the occupant 100 operates the air conditioner 10 to take the warm air 80 into the vehicle interior 23. First, the blower 50 operates and the air 201 is introduced into the housing 30 through the outside air inlet 31 or the inside air inlet 32.

  The air 201 introduced into the housing 30 passes through the bent portion 70. The flow direction of the introduced air 201 changes by approximately 90 ° in the process of proceeding from the first portion 71 to the second portion 72. Therefore, relatively large foreign matter such as moisture contained in the air is separated from the air 201 by the centrifugal force accompanying the change in the air flow.

  The air 201 that has passed through the bent portion 70 is guided to the air filter 40. Pollen and mites contained in the air guided to the air filter 40 are collected by the filter medium 42. These pollen and ticks are detoxified by the chemical 200 applied to the filter medium 42.

  The air 201 that has passed through the air filter 40 is warmed by the air conditioning unit 60. Usually, when the temperature of the occupant 100 is low and the warm air 80 is taken into the vehicle interior 23, the occupant 100 blows the warm air 80 from the foot air outlet 35 toward the foot 103.

  A part 80 a of the warm air 80 blown from the foot outlet 35 hits a position P where the air filter 40 is installed in the housing 30. Therefore, the filter medium 42 is warmed by the hot air 80 through the housing 30. When the filter medium 42 is warmed by the warm air 80, the medicine 200 applied to the filter medium 42 is also warmed.

  Further, when the warm air 80 is blown out from the foot outlet 35, the inside air inlet opening / closing door 81 is partially opened. Therefore, the upstream side of the air filter 40 in the housing 30 communicates with the vehicle interior 23 through a part of the inside air inlet 36.

  A part 80 a of the warm air 80 blown from the foot outlet 35 is introduced into the housing 30 through a part of the inside air inlet 36. The warm air 80 introduced into the housing 30 through the partial air introduction port 36 is guided to the air filter 40. The filter medium 42 is warmed by the warm air 80 introduced through a part of the inside air inlet 36.

  Further, when moisture adheres to the filter medium 42, the drug 200 attached by gravity or capillary action tends to move in the vertical direction A, but the folds 45a and 45b extend in the horizontal direction B as described above, whereby the drug 200 200 becomes difficult to move. That is, each crease 45a, 45b functions as a resistance portion referred to in the present invention. Therefore, movement of the chemical 200 attached to the filter medium 42 due to moisture is suppressed. That is, it is suppressed that the chemical | medical agent 200 flows out from the filter-medium main body 43, or the distribution of the chemical | medical agent 200 on the filter-medium main body 43 can be uneven.

  In the air conditioner 10 configured as described above, the air filter 40 is disposed in the housing 30 at a position P where a part 80a of the warm air 80 heated by the air conditioning unit 60 hits. Moreover, the temperature of the warm air 80 warmed by the air conditioning unit 60 is not excessively high.

  Therefore, when the air filter 40 is warmed by the warm air 80, the temperature of the medicine 200 applied to the filter medium 42 is suppressed from being lowered even when the temperature is low, such as in winter. That is, the temperature of the drug 200 is maintained within a temperature range in which the drug 200 is activated. Therefore, the air filter 40 works effectively even in a low temperature state such as in winter.

  The air filter 40 is installed at a position P where a part 80 a of the warm air 80 blown from the foot outlet 35 in the housing 30 hits. When the temperature is low, such as in winter, the occupant normally blows out warm air 80 at his / her feet. Therefore, the air filter 40 is disposed at the position P where the part 80a of the warm air 80 blown from the foot outlet 35 in the housing 30 hits, so that the filter medium 42 can be used even in a low temperature state such as winter. It is possible to effectively suppress the decrease in the temperature.

  The filter medium 42 is also warmed by the warm air 80 introduced through a part of the inside air inlet 36. Therefore, the filter medium 42 is effectively warmed.

  A bent portion 70 is formed on the upstream side of the air filter 40 in the housing 30. Moisture in the air 201 introduced through the outside air introduction port 31 or the inside air introduction port 32 is separated by centrifugal force in the process in which the air 201 passes through the bent portion 70.

  Therefore, moisture is prevented from adhering to the filter medium 42. By suppressing moisture from adhering to the filter medium 42, it is possible to suppress the drug 200 attached to the filter medium 42 from flowing out or dissolving.

  Moreover, the bending part 70 has the 1st part 71 in alignment with the perpendicular direction A, and the 2nd part 72 in alignment with the horizontal direction B1. Therefore, the flow of the air 201 passing through the bent portion 70 changes by approximately 90 degrees. Accordingly, moisture contained in the introduced air is effectively separated.

  In addition, the air 201 flows from the upper side to the lower side in the vertical direction A at the bent portion 70. Therefore, foreign matters such as moisture in the air 201 are effectively separated by the action of gravity.

  In addition, since each of the folds 45a and 45b functions as a resistance portion, even when moisture is attached to the filter medium 42, it is possible to prevent the drug 200 from flowing out or uneven distribution of the drug 200 due to the moisture. . Therefore, the air filter 40 works effectively.

  Moreover, when each crease | fold 45a, 45b extends in the horizontal direction B, a water | moisture content becomes difficult to move to a perpendicular direction.

Moreover, since the folds 45a and 45b as the resistance portions are formed by folding the filter medium main body 43, no additional material is required to provide the resistance portions. Therefore, the cost of the filter medium main body 43 can be suppressed. Next, an air conditioner 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the structure which has a function similar to 1st Embodiment attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits description.

  In the present embodiment, the filter medium main body 43 is different from that of the first embodiment. Other structures may be the same as those in the first embodiment.

  This point will be specifically described. FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of a part of the filter medium main body 43 with a notch. As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the chemical 200 is impregnated in the filter medium main body 43.

  In the present embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  The drug 200 is not limited to being applied to or impregnated on the surface of the filter medium main body 43 as shown in the first and second embodiments. For example, the filter medium main body 43 may be provided by another method. In short, the chemical | medical agent 200 should just be provided so that foreign materials, such as pollen and tick which the filter-medium main body 43 collected may be made harmless.

  In the first and second embodiments, the air filter 40 has a function of detoxifying foreign matters such as pollen and mites by attaching the chemical 200 to the filter medium main body 43. It is not limited. For example, instead of the drug 200, a catalyst or the like may be used.

  In the first and second embodiments, the air filter 40 is installed at the position P where the part 80a of the hot air 80 blown from the foot outlet 35 in the housing 30 hits, but this is not limitative. It is not a thing.

  For example, the air filter may be installed at a position where the hot air blown from the upper body side outlet 33 and the window glass side outlet 34 hits the housing 30.

1 is a schematic view of an automobile provided with an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Schematic which expands and shows the air conditioner shown by FIG. The perspective view which shows the air filter shown by FIG. The perspective view which expands and shows the range of F4 shown by FIG. The perspective view which expands and shows the filter material main body of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, partially notching.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Air conditioner, 30 ... Housing, 33 ... Upper body side outlet (air outlet), 34 ... Window glass side outlet (air outlet), 35 ... Foot outlet (air outlet), 36 ... Some internal air introduction ports, 40 ... Air filter, 42 ... Filter medium, 45a ... Fold (resistance part), 45b ... Fold (resistance part), 60 ... Air conditioning part, 70 ... Bending part, 71 ... First part, 72 ... Second part 80 ... warm air, 80a ... part of warm air, 103 ... foot, 201 ... air (gas), A ... vertical direction, B ... horizontal direction, P ... position where at least part of warm air hits.

Claims (7)

A housing;
An air filter that is housed in the housing and filters out foreign matter in the gas introduced into the housing and detoxifies the collected foreign matter;
An air conditioning unit that is accommodated in the housing and disposed downstream of the air filter, and adjusts the temperature of the gas introduced into the housing;
Comprising
The housing is provided with a blower outlet for blowing out hot air whose temperature is adjusted by the air conditioning unit downstream of the air conditioning unit,
The air filter is installed in a position where at least a part of hot air blown out from the air outlet in the housing hits. The air outlet is provided at the foot of an occupant,
2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air filter is installed in the housing at a position where at least a part of hot air blown from the air outlet provided at a foot of an occupant hits.   A partial internal air introduction port provided in the housing, the partial internal air introduction port being provided upstream of the air filter and guiding at least a part of warm air heated by the air conditioning unit to the air filter. The air conditioner according to claim 1.   2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a bent portion that bends a flow of gas flowing into the air filter is provided on the upstream side of the air filter in the housing. The bent portion is
A first portion extending in a vertical direction;
A second portion provided downstream of the first portion and extending in a horizontal direction;
The air conditioner according to claim 4, comprising: The air filter includes a filter medium,
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the filter medium includes a resistance portion that prevents water attached to the filter medium from flowing.   The air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the resistance portion is a fold formed by folding the filter medium, and the fold is continuous in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. .

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