JP7024538B2 - Seat air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a seat air conditioner mounted on a vehicle.

In recent years, the development of a seat air conditioner that enhances the comfort of the occupant by blowing air-conditioned air from the air outlet provided on the seat of the vehicle to the occupant seated on the seat or the space around the occupant has been promoted. ..

The seat air conditioner described in Patent Document 1 has air from an intake duct at a connection point between an air circulation path provided in a seat pad constituting the seat and an intake duct for taking in air into the air circulation path. It is equipped with a flow rate adjustment mechanism for adjusting the amount of air taken into the circulation path. This flow rate adjusting mechanism is composed of a door for adjusting the opening degree of the air passage and a bimetal for driving the door. Bimetal is a spiral member made by laminating metal plates having different thermal expansion rates. This seat air conditioner has a configuration in which the door is driven by changing the shape of the spiral bimetal according to the temperature of the air flowing through the air circulation path.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-125086

However, in the seat air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, in the bimetal for driving the door, the plate-shaped member wound in a spiral shape expands or contracts in the radial direction as a whole with the temperature change. That is, the shape of the bimetal changes two-dimensionally according to the temperature. Therefore, it may be difficult to mount this seat air conditioner on a seat having a small mounting space because the size of the seat air conditioner becomes large.

In view of the above points, it is an object of the present invention to provide a seat air conditioner capable of reducing the size of the body.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is applied to a seat (2) installed in a vehicle interior, and a seat is used by using air conditioning air generated by a vehicle air conditioner (3) mounted on the vehicle. It is a seat air conditioner that air-conditions the space around the occupant (4) who sits in the room.
A ventilation path (10) configured so that the air-conditioned air generated by the vehicle air conditioner passes through the outside or inside of the seat and is blown out to the occupant seated on the seat or the space around it.
Wind direction changing members (20, 21, 23) provided inside the ventilation passage and capable of changing the direction of the conditioned air flowing through the ventilation passage or the direction of the conditioned air blown out from the ventilation passage.
It is provided with an operating member (30) that is provided to be heated or cooled by the conditioned air flowing through the ventilation path and can move the wind direction changing member due to the characteristic of expanding and contracting linearly according to the temperature.
The seat has a seat cushion portion (2a) that supports the buttocks of the occupant and a seat back portion (2b) that supports the back of the occupant.
The ventilation path has an air outlet (13) for blowing air-conditioned air from the seat back portion into the passenger compartment.
The wind direction changing member (21) and the operating member are provided inside the air outlet.
A heating member (35) capable of heating the operating member by energization, and
Further, a control device (60) for controlling energization to the heating member according to the reclining angle of the seat back portion with respect to the seat cushion portion is further provided.

According to this, the seat air conditioner only needs to secure a space for the operating member to expand and contract linearly as a space for moving the wind direction changing member, and is in a direction perpendicular to the linear extending direction. No extra space is needed. That is, the operating member only needs to have a one-dimensional space for expanding and contracting linearly, and no extra two-dimensional space is required. Therefore, this seat air conditioner can be mounted on a seat having a small body size and a small mounting space.

Further, the seat air conditioner has a configuration in which the operating member expands and contracts according to its own characteristics according to the temperature of the air conditioning air flowing through the ventilation passage. Therefore, this seat air conditioner can have a simple structure for moving the wind direction changing member.

In the present specification, "expanding and contracting linearly" means that the length of the operating member changes linearly when viewed as a whole. That is, when the operating member is, for example, a coiled polymer fiber obtained by coiling a polymer fiber, the coiled polymer fiber expands and contracts linearly as a whole while the polymer fiber swirls along the fiber axis. ..

The reference numerals in parentheses attached to each component or the like indicate an example of the correspondence between the component or the like and the specific component or the like described in the embodiment described later.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the vehicle interior of the vehicle which mounted the seat air conditioner which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the seat in which the seat air conditioner is installed. It is sectional drawing of the air outlet provided in the seat air conditioner. It is a side view of the actuating member provided in the seat air conditioner. It is a figure which showed the state which the cold air is blown out from a seat air conditioner. It is sectional drawing of the air outlet in a state where warm air is blown out from a seat air conditioner. It is a figure which showed the state which the warm air is blown out from a seat air conditioner. It is sectional drawing of the seat which installed the seat air-conditioning apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the seat which installed the seat air-conditioning apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the seat which installed the seat air-conditioning apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the seat which installed the seat air-conditioning apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which made the seat back of the seat which installed the seat air conditioner which concerns on 4th Embodiment in a substantially upright state. It is a figure which put the seat back of the seat which installed the seat air conditioner which concerns on 4th Embodiment into a reclining state. It is a conceptual diagram of the control map stored in the control device. It is a figure which showed the state which the cold air is blown out from the seat air conditioner with the seat in a substantially upright state. It is sectional drawing of the outlet in the state of FIG. It is a figure which showed the state which the seat is a reclining state, and the cold air is blown out from a seat air conditioner when the control by a control device is not executed. It is sectional drawing of the outlet in the state of FIG. It is a figure which showed the state which the seat is a reclining state, and the cold air is blown out from a seat air conditioner when the control by a control device is executed. It is sectional drawing of the outlet in the state of FIG. It is a figure which showed the state which the warm air is blown out from the seat air conditioner with the seat in a substantially upright state. It is sectional drawing of the outlet in the state of FIG. It is a figure which showed the state which the seat is a reclining state, and the warm air is blown out from a seat air conditioner when the control by a control device is not executed. It is sectional drawing of the outlet in the state of FIG. It is a figure which showed the state which the seat is made a reclining state, and the warm air is blown out from a seat air conditioner when the control by a control device is executed. It is sectional drawing of the outlet in the state of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the following embodiments, the same or equal parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. The top and bottom of the arrows shown in each drawing indicate the vertical direction of the seat, and the front and back of the arrow indicate the front and back of the seat. Further, the left and right of the arrow shown in FIG. 2 indicate the left and right direction of the seat. The vertical direction, front-rear direction, and left-right direction of the seat correspond to the vertical direction, front-rear direction, and left-right direction of the vehicle.

(First Embodiment)
The first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, in the first embodiment, the seat air conditioner 1 applied to the seat 2 in the second row of the vehicle will be described as an example. The vehicle in which the seat air conditioner 1 is installed is equipped with a vehicle air conditioner 3 for air-conditioning the interior of the vehicle. The seat air conditioner 1 uses the air conditioning air generated by the vehicle air conditioner 3 to air-condition the space around the occupant 4 seated on the seat 2.

The vehicle air conditioner 3 is arranged inside the instrument panel 5 of the vehicle. The vehicle air conditioner 3 includes a blower, an evaporator, a heater core, and the like (not shown) inside the air conditioner case 3a. The vehicle air-conditioning device 3 cools or heats the air taken into the air-conditioning case 3a from outside the vehicle or inside the vehicle by driving a blower, and generates air-conditioned air adjusted to a predetermined temperature and humidity. The vehicle air conditioner 3 air-conditions the interior of the vehicle by blowing the air-conditioned air from a face outlet, a defroster outlet, a foot outlet, etc. (not shown) provided on the instrument panel 5.

The configuration of the seat air conditioner 1 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the seat air conditioner 1 includes a ventilation passage 10, a wind direction changing member 20, an operating member 30, and the like.

The ventilation passage 10 includes a duct 11 provided outside the seat 2, an in-seat air passage 12 formed inside the seat 2, and an outlet 13 for blowing air into the vehicle interior from the in-seat air passage 12. It is configured. In the ventilation passage 10, the conditioned air generated by the vehicle air conditioner 3 is blown out from the air outlet 13 through the duct 11 and the air passage 12 in the seat to the occupant 4 seated in the seat 2 or the space around the seat 2. It is configured in.

The duct 11 is arranged under the floor mat 6 in consideration of the design of the vehicle interior. One end of the duct 11 is connected to a predetermined outlet opening 3b provided in the air conditioning case 3a of the vehicle air conditioner 3. The other end of the duct 11 is connected to a connecting port 14 in which the air passage 12 in the seat opens to the lower side of the seat 2.

A blower 40 is provided in the middle of the duct 11. The blower 40 includes a fan and an electric motor (not shown) for rotating the fan. The blower 40 generates an air flow from the vehicle air conditioner 3 side toward the seat in-seat air passage 12 side in the duct 11. When the blower 40 is driven, the conditioned air generated by the vehicle air conditioner 3 flows through the duct 11 and the air passage 12 in the seat, and is blown out from the air outlet 13. As the fan of the blower 40, for example, a centrifugal fan, a once-through fan, an axial-flow fan, or the like can be adopted.

The air passage 12 in the seat is formed inside the seat pad constituting the seat 2. The seat pad is made of a material that has little breathability (eg, polyurethane). Therefore, the air passage 12 in the seat is composed of holes formed inside the seat pad.

The seat 2 has a seat cushion portion 2a that supports the buttocks of the occupant 4 and a seat back portion 2b that supports the back of the occupant 4. The seat inner air passage 12 is provided over the seat cushion portion 2a and the seat back portion 2b. A skin is provided on the outside of the seat pad constituting the seat 2.

The air outlet 13 is provided so as to project laterally from the seat back portion 2b. The outlet 13 may be provided so as to be embedded in the seat back portion 2b. As shown in FIG. 3, the air outlet 13 has a case 131 having a space communicating with the air passage 12 in the seat, and an opening 132 provided on the vehicle front side of the case 131. Therefore, the air outlet 13 can blow the conditioned air flowing through the air passage 12 in the seat from the opening 132 to the occupant 4 seated in the seat 2 or the space around the seat 2.

Inside the air outlet 13, a plurality of louvers 21 and a link mechanism 22 as wind direction changing members 20 are provided. The plurality of louvers 21 are members for changing the direction of the air conditioning air blown from the air outlet 13. The plurality of louvers 21 are connected by a link mechanism 22. The link mechanism 22 is configured so that the directions of the plurality of louvers 21 can be changed at the same time. The outlet grill is composed of a plurality of louvers 21 and a link mechanism 22.

An actuating member 30 is also provided inside the air outlet 13. One end of the actuating member 30 is connected to the link mechanism 22, and the other end is connected to the inner wall of the case 131 constituting the air outlet 13. Since the actuating member 30 is provided in the space inside the air outlet 13, air conditioning air flows around the actuating member 30. Therefore, the operating member 30 is heated or cooled by the conditioned air flowing through the air outlet 13 forming a part of the ventilation passage 10. Note that FIG. 3 shows a state in which the operating member 30 is cooled by cold air.

The actuating member 30 is made of, for example, polymer fibers. Polymer fibers have the property of "stretching and contracting linearly" depending on the temperature. Specifically, the polymer fiber has a crystalline portion and an amorphous portion called a tie molecule that connects the crystalline portions. The tie molecules stretched during fiber processing have the property of shrinking when heated and returning to their original length when cooled. Therefore, the polymer fiber has a property that the fiber length is shortened by heating and the fiber length is returned to the original length by cooling.

As shown in FIG. 4, the polymer fiber of the first embodiment is formed in a coil shape. The coiled polymer fiber is formed by continuously twisting the polymer fiber and automatically folding the excessively twisted fiber into a coil shape. The arrow FD in FIG. 4 indicates the direction of the fiber axis. By using the coiled polymer fiber as the operating member 30, the amount of expansion and contraction with respect to a temperature change is large.

When the coiled polymer fiber is used as the operating member 30, the polymer fiber expands and contracts along the fiber axis in response to a temperature change, and expands and contracts in the direction of arrow L in FIG. 4 as a whole. Therefore, in the present specification, "expanding and contracting linearly" means that the coiled polymer fiber extends linearly as a whole while the polymer fiber swirls along the fiber axis when the operating member 30 is viewed as a whole. It involves shrinking.

Next, the operation of the seat air conditioner 1 of the first embodiment will be described.

Generally, in summer or the like, the vehicle air conditioner 3 generates cold air, and blows cold air into the vehicle interior from a face outlet or the like provided on the instrument panel 5. Therefore, when the blower 40 of the seat air conditioner 1 is driven in summer or the like, the cold air generated by the vehicle air conditioner 3 flows through the duct 11 and the air passage 12 in the seat, and the air outlet provided in the seat 2 is provided. It is blown out from 13. At that time, the operating member 30 is cooled by the cold air flowing through the outlet 13. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the operating member 30 is in a linearly extended state, and the louver 21 installed at the air outlet 13 is in a nearly horizontal state. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, cold air is blown from the air outlet 13 toward the upper body of the occupant 4 seated on the seat 2 or the space around the occupant 4. Therefore, in the summer or the like, the seat air conditioner 1 can cool the upper body of the occupant 4 by the cold air blown from the air outlet 13 and enhance the comfort of the occupant 4. In FIG. 5 and the like, the cold air blown out from the outlet 13 is schematically shown by a figure with a reference numeral CA.

On the other hand, in winter or the like, the vehicle air conditioner 3 generates warm air and blows warm air into the vehicle interior from a foot outlet or the like provided under the instrument panel 5. Therefore, when the blower 40 of the seat air conditioner 1 is driven in winter or the like, the warm air generated by the vehicle air conditioner 3 flows through the duct 11 and the air passage 12 in the seat, and blows provided on the seat 2. It is blown out from the exit 13. At that time, the operating member 30 is heated by the warm air flowing through the air outlet 13. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the operating member 30 is in a linearly contracted state, and the louver 21 installed at the outlet 13 is directed diagonally downward. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, warm air is blown from the air outlet 13 toward the lower body of the occupant 4 seated on the seat 2 or the space around the occupant 4. Therefore, in winter or the like, the seat air conditioner 1 can warm the lower body of the occupant 4 by the warm air blown from the outlet 13, and enhance the comfort of the occupant 4. In FIG. 7 and the like, the warm air blown out from the outlet 13 is schematically shown by a figure with a reference numeral HA.

The seat air conditioner 1 of the first embodiment described above has the following effects.
(1) In the first embodiment, the operating member 30 is provided so as to be heated or cooled by the conditioned air flowing through the ventilation passage 10, and moves a plurality of louvers 21 due to the characteristic of linearly expanding and contracting according to the temperature. Is possible. As a result, the seat air conditioner 1 only needs to secure a space for the operating member 30 to expand and contract linearly as a space for moving the plurality of louvers 21, and the direction perpendicular to the linear extension direction. No extra space is needed. That is, the operating member 30 only needs to have a one-dimensional space for expanding and contracting linearly, and no extra two-dimensional space is required. Therefore, the seat air conditioner 1 can be mounted on the seat 2 having a small body size and a small mounting space.

Further, the seat air conditioner 1 has a configuration in which the operating member 30 expands and contracts according to its own characteristics according to the temperature of the air conditioning air flowing through the ventilation passage 10. Therefore, the seat air conditioner 1 can have a simple structure for moving the louver 21.

(2) In the first embodiment, the operating member 30 and the louver 21 are provided inside the air outlet 13 provided in the seat back portion 2b. Thereby, it is possible to change the direction of the conditioned air blown from the outlet 13 according to the temperature of the conditioned air blown from the outlet 13. For example, in the summer or the like, the operating member 30 is extended by the cold air to blow out the cold air toward the upper body of the occupant 4, and in the winter or the like, the operating member 30 is contracted by the warm air to blow out the warm air toward the lower body of the occupant 4. By changing the direction of the air-conditioning wind, it is possible to air-condition the occupant 4 according to the season. Therefore, in this sheet air conditioner 1, by changing the direction of the air conditioning air blown from the air outlet 13, the air outlet 13 for blowing hot air and the air outlet 13 for blowing cold air are not separately provided. With a small number of air outlets 13, the comfort of the occupant 4 can be efficiently improved.

(3) In the first embodiment, a polymer fiber having a property of linearly expanding and contracting according to temperature is used as the operating member 30. As a result, the polymer fibers can automatically expand and contract to change the louver 21 according to the temperature of the air flowing through the outlet 13. Therefore, the seat air conditioner 1 of the first embodiment does not require a dedicated control device or sensor for driving the louver 21 provided at the outlet 13, so that the configuration for driving the louver 21 is simplified. Can be.

(Second Embodiment)
The seat air conditioner 1 of the second embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in the second embodiment, the ventilation passage 10 provided in the seat air conditioner 1 is provided in the lower air outlet 15 provided in the seat cushion portion 2a and the upper side provided in the seat back portion 2b. It has an air outlet 16. The lower air outlet 15 can blow air-conditioned air into the lower body of the occupant 4 seated on the seat 2 or the space around the occupant 4. The upper air outlet 16 can blow air-conditioned air into the upper body of the occupant 4 seated on the seat 2 or the space around the occupant 4.

Further, in the second embodiment, the seat inner air passage 12 includes a first seat inner air passage 121 that communicates the connecting port 14 formed on the lower side of the seat 2 and the upper air outlet 16 and the connecting port 14. It has a second seat inner air passage 122 that communicates with the lower air outlet 15. The inner air passage 121 of the first sheet and the inner air passage 122 of the second sheet are connected by a flow path connecting portion 19.

In the second embodiment, the flow path connecting portion 19 is provided with a flow path switching door 23 as a wind direction changing member 20 and an operating member 30 for operating the flow path switching door 23. The flow path switching door 23 is a cantilever door rotatably provided around a rotation shaft 24 provided at one end. The flow path switching door 23 can switch the direction of the air conditioning air flowing through the flow path connection portion 19. That is, the flow path switching door 23 is in a state where the conditioned air flowing into the flow path connection portion 19 from the connection port 14 is blown out from the upper air outlet 16 via the air passage 121 in the first sheet, and the flow path connection thereof. It is possible to switch between the state in which the conditioned air flowing into the unit 19 is blown out from the lower air outlet 15 via the air passage 122 in the second sheet.

The flow path switching door 23 is operated by the operating member 30. Similar to the first embodiment, the actuating member 30 is made of a polymer fiber having a property of linearly expanding and contracting with respect to temperature. One end of the actuating member 30 is connected to the end of the flow path switching door 23 opposite to the rotating shaft 24, and the other end is connected to the inner wall of the flow path connecting portion 19. Since the actuating member 30 is provided in the flow path connecting portion 19, air conditioning air flows around the actuating member 30. Therefore, the operating member 30 is heated or cooled by the conditioned air flowing through the flow path connecting portion 19.

When the operating member 30 is cooled and stretched, the flow path switching door 23 switches the flow path so that the conditioned air flows into the ventilation passage 121 in the first sheet. Further, when the operating member 30 is heated and contracted, the flow path switching door 23 switches the flow path so that the conditioned air flows into the ventilation passage 122 in the second seat.

Next, the operation of the seat air conditioner 1 of the second embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the blower 40 of the seat air conditioner 1 is driven in the summer or the like, the cold air generated by the vehicle air conditioner 3 flows into the air passage 12 in the seat from the connecting port 14 through the duct 11. do. When the operating member 30 is cooled by the cold air flowing through the flow path connecting portion 19 of the air passage 12 in the seat, the operating member 30 is in a linearly extended state. At that time, the flow path switching door 23 switches the flow path so that the cold air flowing into the seat inner air passage 12 from the connecting port 14 flows into the first seat inner air passage 121. Therefore, the cold air flowing through the air passage 121 in the first seat is blown out from the upper air outlet 16 toward the upper body of the occupant 4 seated on the seat 2 or the space around the occupant 4. Therefore, in the summer or the like, the seat air conditioner 1 can cool the upper body of the occupant 4 by the cold air blown from the air outlet 13 and enhance the comfort of the occupant 4. It should be noted that also in FIG. 8 and the like, the cold air blown out from the outlet 13 is schematically shown by a figure with a reference numeral CA.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, when the blower 40 of the seat air conditioner 1 is driven in winter or the like, the warm air generated by the vehicle air conditioner 3 flows from the connecting port 14 through the duct 11 to the air passage in the seat. It flows into 12. When the operating member 30 is heated by the warm air flowing through the flow path connecting portion 19 of the air passage 12 in the seat, the operating member 30 is in a linearly contracted state. At that time, the flow path switching door 23 switches the flow path so that the warm air flowing into the seat inner air passage 12 from the connecting port 14 flows into the second seat inner air passage 122. Therefore, the warm air flowing through the air passage 122 in the second seat is blown out from the lower air outlet 15 toward the lower body of the occupant 4 seated on the seat 2 or the space around the occupant 4. Therefore, in winter or the like, the seat air conditioner 1 can warm the lower body of the occupant 4 by the warm air blown from the outlet 13, and enhance the comfort of the occupant 4. In FIG. 7 and the like, the warm air blown out from the outlet 13 is schematically shown by a figure with a reference numeral HA.

In the seat air conditioner 1 of the second embodiment described above, the flow path switching door 23 and the operating member 30 are provided in the flow path connecting portion 19 formed inside the seat 2 in the ventilation passage 10. As a result, even if the body size of the seat 2 is small, if a space for the operating member 30 to expand and contract linearly can be secured in the flow path connecting portion 19, the flow path switching door 23 and the operating member 30 can flow inside the seat 2. It can be installed in the road connection portion 19. Therefore, the seat air conditioner 1 can be installed even on the seat 2 having a small mounting space.

Further, the seat air conditioner 1 of the second embodiment does not require a dedicated control device or sensor for driving the flow path switching door 23 provided in the flow path connecting portion 19, as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the configuration for driving the flow path switching door 23 can be simplified.

(Third Embodiment)
The seat air conditioner 1 of the third embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, also in the third embodiment, the ventilation passage 10 provided in the seat air conditioner 1 is provided in the lower air outlet 15 provided in the seat cushion portion 2a and the upper side provided in the seat back portion 2b. It has an air outlet 16. Further, also in the third embodiment, the seat inner air passage 12 constituting the ventilation passage 10 is formed in the seat pad from the upper air outlet 16 and in the seat pad from the lower air outlet 15. It has a second sheet inner air passage 122 formed in.

Then, in the third embodiment, the first duct 111 is connected to the air passage 121 in the first seat. Further, the second duct 112 is connected to the air passage 122 in the second seat. The first duct 111 and the second duct 112 are connected by an external flow path connecting portion 191. The external flow path connecting portion 191 is provided below the seat 2 and outside the seat 2.

In the third embodiment, the external flow path connecting portion 191 is provided with a flow path switching door 23 as the wind direction changing member 20 and an operating member 30 for operating the flow path switching door 23. The flow path switching door 23 is a cantilever door rotatably provided around a rotation shaft 24 provided at one end. The flow path switching door 23 can switch the direction of the air conditioning air flowing through the external flow path connection portion 191. That is, in the flow path switching door 23, the conditioned air is blown out from the external flow path connection portion 191 through the first duct 111 and the first sheet inner air passage 121 from the upper air outlet 16, and the conditioned air is blown out from the external flow path. It is possible to switch from the connection portion 191 to the state in which the air is blown out from the lower air outlet 15 through the second duct 112 and the air passage 122 in the second seat.

The flow path switching door 23 is operated by the operating member 30. Similar to the first and second embodiments, the actuating member 30 is made of a polymer fiber having a property of linearly expanding and contracting with respect to temperature. One end of the actuating member 30 is connected to the end of the flow path switching door 23 opposite to the rotating shaft 24, and the other end is connected to the inner wall of the external flow path connecting portion 191 or the like. Since the actuating member 30 is provided at the external road connection portion, air conditioning air flows around the actuating member 30. Therefore, the operating member 30 is heated or cooled by the conditioned air flowing through the external flow path connecting portion 191.

The flow path switching door 23 switches the flow path so that the conditioned air flows to the first duct 111 when the operating member 30 is cooled and stretched. Further, the flow path switching door 23 switches the flow path so that the conditioned air flows to the second duct 112 when the operating member 30 is heated and contracted.

Next, the operation of the seat air conditioner 1 of the third embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 10, when the blower 40 of the seat air conditioner 1 is driven in the summer or the like, the cold air generated by the vehicle air conditioner 3 flows from the blower 40 into the external flow path connection portion 191. When the operating member 30 is cooled by the cold air flowing through the external flow path connecting portion 191, the operating member 30 is in a linearly extended state. At that time, the flow path switching door 23 switches the flow path so that cold air flows to the first duct 111. Therefore, the cold air flows through the first duct 111 and the air passage 121 in the first seat, and is blown out from the upper air outlet 16 toward the upper body of the occupant 4 seated on the seat 2 or the space around the occupant 4. Therefore, in the summer or the like, the seat air conditioner 1 can cool the upper body of the occupant 4 by the cold air blown from the air outlet 13 and enhance the comfort of the occupant 4. It should be noted that also in FIG. 10 and the like, the cold air blown out from the outlet 13 is schematically shown by a figure with a reference numeral CA.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, when the blower 40 of the seat air conditioner 1 is driven in winter or the like, the warm air generated by the vehicle air conditioner 3 flows from the blower 40 into the external flow path connection portion 191. do. When the operating member 30 is heated by the warm air flowing through the external flow path connecting portion 191, the operating member 30 is in a linearly contracted state. At that time, the flow path switching door 23 switches the flow path so that the warm air flows to the second duct 112. Therefore, the warm air flows through the second duct 112 and the air passage 122 in the second seat, and is blown out from the lower air outlet 15 toward the lower body of the occupant 4 seated on the seat 2 or the space around it. Therefore, in winter or the like, the seat air conditioner 1 can warm the lower body of the occupant 4 by the warm air blown from the outlet 13, and enhance the comfort of the occupant 4. It should be noted that also in FIG. 11 and the like, the cold air blown out from the outlet 13 is schematically shown by a figure with a reference numeral HA.

In the seat air conditioner 1 of the third embodiment described above, the flow path switching door 23 and the operating member 30 are formed on the outside of the seat 2 below the seat 2 in the ventilation passage 10, and the external flow path connecting portion 191 is formed. It is provided in. As a result, even if the space below the seat 2 is small, if the space for the operating member 30 to expand and contract linearly can be secured in the external flow path connecting portion 191, the flow path switching door 23 and the operating member 30 can be moved from the seat 2. It can be installed in the lower external flow path connection portion 191.

Further, the seat air conditioner 1 of the third embodiment also has a dedicated control device and a sensor for driving the flow path switching door 23 provided in the external flow path connection portion 191 as in the first and second embodiments. Since such things are not required, the configuration for driving the flow path switching door 23 can be simplified.

(Fourth Embodiment)
The seat air conditioner 1 of the fourth embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, it is possible to change the reclining angle, which is the inclination angle of the seat back portion 2b with respect to the seat cushion portion 2a, in the seat 2 in which the seat air conditioner 1 of the fourth embodiment is installed. A reclining mechanism unit 50 is provided. That is, the seat 2 of the fourth embodiment is a so-called power seat capable of electrically adjusting the reclining angle of the seat back portion 2b.

The reclining mechanism unit 50 has an electric motor (not shown) and an angle sensor (not shown) that detects the rotation angle of the electric motor. The reclining mechanism unit 50 can adjust the reclining angle of the seat back unit 2b by driving the electric motor. Then, the information regarding the rotation angle of the electric motor detected by the angle sensor is transmitted to the control device 60.

The control device 60 is composed of a microcomputer including a memory such as a processor, ROM and RAM, and peripheral circuits thereof. Then, the control device 60 performs various calculations and processes based on the control program stored in the memory, and controls the operation of various devices connected to the output side. The memory of the control device 60 is composed of a non-transitional and substantive storage medium.

The control device 60 can adjust the direction of the conditioned air blown from the air outlet 13 of the seat air conditioner 1 according to the reclining angle of the seat back portion 2b with respect to the seat cushion portion 2a. In the fourth embodiment, a heating member 35 whose temperature rises due to energization is provided in the vicinity of the operating member 30. The heating member 35 can be configured by a heater wire or the like. The heating member 35 is provided side by side with the polymer fiber as the operating member 30. The heating member 35 can heat the operating member 30. The control device 60 controls the energization of the heating member 35 to expand and contract the operating member 30 according to the reclining angle of the seat back portion 2b with respect to the seat cushion portion 2a, and blows out from the outlet 13 of the seat air conditioner 1. It is possible to adjust the direction of the air conditioning air.

The memory of the control device 60 stores the relationship between the reclining angle of the seat back portion 2b with respect to the seat cushion portion 2a and the voltage applied to the heating member 35. The graph of FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram of a control map showing the relationship.

As shown in FIG. 14, the control device 60 increases the voltage applied to the heating member 35 as the reclining angle of the seat back portion 2b becomes larger, that is, as the seat back portion 2b approaches the horizontal. As a result, the temperature of the heating member 35 rises, and the temperature of the working member 30 also rises accordingly. Therefore, the working member 30 contracts linearly, and the louver 21 installed at the air outlet 13 is directed diagonally downward. When the louver 21 is directed diagonally downward, the direction of the louver 21 is adjusted so that the air-conditioned air blown from the outlet 13 is blown in a direction close to the connecting portion between the seat cushion portion 2a and the seat back portion 2b. It means to be done.

On the other hand, the control device 60 reduces the voltage applied to the heating member 35 as the reclining angle of the seat back portion 2b becomes smaller, that is, as the seat back portion 2b approaches the vertical direction. As a result, the temperature of the heating member 35 is lowered, and the temperature of the operating member 30 is also lowered accordingly. Therefore, the operating member 30 extends linearly, and the louver 21 installed at the outlet 13 is directed diagonally upward. Note that turning the louver 21 diagonally upward means that the direction of the louver 21 is adjusted so that the air-conditioned air blown from the outlet 13 is blown in a direction close to perpendicular to the seat back portion 2b. ..

Next, the operation of the seat air conditioner 1 of the fourth embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, when the blower 40 of the seat air conditioner 1 is driven in the summer or the like, the cold air generated by the vehicle air conditioner 3 flows through the duct 11 and the air passage 12 in the seat. It is blown out from the air outlet 13 provided in the seat back portion 2b. At that time, the operating member 30 is cooled by the cold air flowing through the outlet 13. As a result, the operating member 30 is in a linearly extended state. Therefore, cold air is blown from the air outlet 13 toward the upper body of the occupant 4 seated on the seat 2 or the space around the occupant 4.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 17, when the occupant 4 puts the seat back portion 2b in the reclining state, the position of the buttocks of the occupant 4 seated on the seat 2 may move forward. 17 and 18 show a case where the control device 60 is not controlled and the direction in which the cold air is blown out from the outlet 13 is the same as the direction in which the seat back portion 2b is upright. .. In that case, there is a concern that the occupant 4 may not be able to obtain a sufficient sense of comfort because cold air is blown from the outlet 13 to the vicinity of the occupant 4's face.

Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, the control device 60 controls so that the larger the reclining angle of the seat back portion 2b with respect to the seat cushion portion 2a, the larger the voltage applied to the heating member 35. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the operating member 30 is heated by the heat generated from the heating member 35, and the operating member 30 is in a linearly contracted state. Therefore, the louver 21 is directed diagonally downward, and cold air is blown from the air outlet 13 toward the space around the chest and armpits of the upper body of the occupant 4 seated on the seat 2. Therefore, in the summer or the like, the seat air conditioner 1 can cool the upper body of the occupant 4 by the cold air blown from the air outlet 13 and enhance the comfort of the occupant 4. It should be noted that also in FIGS. 15, 17, 19 and the like, the cold air blown out from the outlet 13 is schematically shown by a figure with a reference numeral CA.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, when the blower 40 of the seat air conditioner 1 is driven in winter or the like, the warm air generated by the vehicle air conditioner 3 is sent to the duct 11 and the air passage 12 in the seat. Is blown out from the air outlet 13 provided in the seat back portion 2b. At that time, the operating member 30 is heated by the warm air flowing through the air outlet 13. As a result, the operating member 30 is in a linearly contracted state. Therefore, warm air is blown from the air outlet 13 toward the lower body of the occupant 4 seated on the seat 2 or the space around the occupant 4.

By the way, as described above, when the occupant 4 puts the seat back portion 2b in the reclining state, the position of the buttocks of the occupant 4 seated on the seat 2 may move forward. 23 and 24 show a case where the control device 60 is not controlled and the direction in which the warm air is blown out from the outlet 13 is the same as the direction in which the seat back portion 2b is upright. In that case, there is a concern that warm air will be blown from the air outlet 13 to the vicinity of the upper body of the occupant 4, and the occupant 4 will not be able to obtain a sufficient sense of comfort.

Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, the control device 60 controls so that the larger the reclining angle of the seat back portion 2b with respect to the seat cushion portion 2a, the larger the voltage applied to the heating member 35, even in winter. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the operating member 30 is further heated by the heat generated from the heating member 35 in addition to the heat of the warm air flowing through the outlet 13, so that the operating member 30 is further linearly formed. It will be in a shrunk state. Therefore, the louver 21 is further inclined downward, and warm air is blown from the air outlet 13 toward the lower body of the occupant 4 seated on the seat 2 or the space around the louver 4. Therefore, in winter or the like, the seat air conditioner 1 can warm the lower body of the occupant 4 by the warm air blown from the outlet 13, and enhance the comfort of the occupant 4. It should be noted that also in FIGS. 21, 23, 25 and the like, the warm air blown out from the outlet 13 is schematically shown by a figure with a reference numeral HA.

In the seat air conditioner 1 of the fourth embodiment described above, the control device 60 controls the energization of the heating member 35 according to the reclining angle of the seat back portion 2b. Specifically, the control device 60 energizes the heating member 35 so that the larger the reclining angle of the seat back portion 2b, the more the conditioned air is blown diagonally downward from the outlet 13 provided in the seat back portion 2b. And drives the actuating member 30 to change the orientation of the plurality of louvers 21. Therefore, the seat air conditioner 1 can further enhance the comfort of the occupant 4 by changing the direction of the air conditioning air blown from the air outlet 13 according to the reclining angle of the seat back portion 2b.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified within the scope of the claims. Further, the above embodiments are not unrelated to each other, and can be appropriately combined unless the combination is clearly impossible. Further, in each of the above embodiments, it goes without saying that the elements constituting the embodiment are not necessarily essential except when it is clearly stated that they are essential or when they are clearly considered to be essential in principle. stomach. Further, in each of the above embodiments, when numerical values such as the number, numerical values, quantities, and ranges of the constituent elements of the embodiment are mentioned, when it is clearly stated that they are particularly essential, and when it is clearly limited to a specific number in principle. It is not limited to the specific number except when it is done. Further, in each of the above embodiments, when the shape, positional relationship, etc. of the constituent elements are referred to, the shape, unless otherwise specified or limited in principle to a specific shape, positional relationship, etc. It is not limited to the positional relationship.

(1) In each of the above embodiments, the seat air conditioner 1 installed on the seat 2 in the second row of the vehicle has been described as an example. On the other hand, in another embodiment, the seat air conditioner 1 may be installed on the seats in the first row or the third and subsequent rows.

(2) In each of the above embodiments, the seat air conditioner 1 using the air conditioning air generated by the vehicle air conditioner 3 arranged inside the instrument panel 5 of the vehicle has been described. On the other hand, in another embodiment, the seat air conditioner 1 may use the air conditioning air generated by the rear seat air conditioner arranged on the rear seat side of the vehicle or the like. Alternatively, a dedicated air conditioner for generating air conditioning air to be supplied to the seat air conditioner 1 may be arranged below the seat 2.

(3) In each of the above embodiments, the seat air conditioner 1 has a blower 40 installed in the middle of the duct 11 that constitutes a part of the ventilation passage 10. On the other hand, in another embodiment, the seat air conditioner 1 may abolish the blower 40. In that case, the seat air conditioner 1 blows out the conditioned air from the outlet 13 by the pressure of the air blown by the blower provided in the vehicle air conditioner 3.

(4) In the second and third embodiments, the cantilever door is exemplified as the flow path switching door 23 constituting the wind direction changing member 20. On the other hand, in another embodiment, the flow path switching door 23 may adopt, for example, a butterfly door or a sliding door.

(5) In the fourth embodiment, a control map in which the reclining angle and the voltage applied to the heating member 35 change linearly is illustrated. On the other hand, in another embodiment, the control device 60 may use, for example, a control map in which the voltage applied to the heating member 35 gradually increases as the reclining angle increases.

(summary)
According to the first aspect shown in part or all of the above-described embodiment, the seat air conditioner is applied to the seat installed in the vehicle interior, and the air conditioner generated by the vehicle air conditioner mounted on the vehicle. The wind is used to air-condition the space around the occupants sitting on the seats. The ventilation passage is configured so that the air conditioning air generated by the vehicle air conditioner passes through the outside or the inside of the seat and is blown out to the occupant seated on the seat or the space around the seat. The wind direction changing member is provided inside the ventilation passage, and can change the direction of the conditioned air flowing through the ventilation passage or the direction of the conditioned air blown out from the ventilation passage. The actuating member is provided so as to be heated or cooled by the conditioned air flowing through the ventilation passage, and the wind direction changing member can be moved due to the characteristic of linearly expanding and contracting according to the temperature.

According to the second aspect, the seat has a seat cushion portion that supports the buttocks of the occupant and a seat back portion that supports the back of the occupant. The ventilation path has an air outlet for blowing air-conditioned air from the seat back portion into the vehicle interior. The wind direction changing member and the operating member are provided inside the air outlet.

According to this, the wind direction changing member and the operating member can change the direction of the conditioned air blown out from the air outlet according to the temperature of the conditioned air blown out from the air outlet. Therefore, when cold air is blown from the outlet, the operating member is extended and the cold air is blown toward the upper body of the occupant, and when warm air is blown from the outlet, the operating member is contracted toward the lower body of the occupant. It is possible to change the direction of the conditioned air so that the warm air is blown out. Therefore, this seat air conditioner will be described in the first embodiment without separately providing an outlet for blowing hot air and an outlet for blowing cold air on the seat as in the second and third embodiments. As you can see, the comfort of the occupants can be efficiently improved with a small number of air outlets.

According to the third aspect, the ventilation passage has a flow path connecting portion to which a plurality of flow paths are connected inside the sheet. The wind direction changing member and the operating member are provided at the flow path connection portion and switch the direction of the conditioned air flowing through the ventilation path.

According to this, even if the physique of the seat is small, the seat air conditioner can move the wind direction changing member and the operating member inside the seat if a space for the operating member to expand and contract linearly can be secured in the flow path connection portion. It can be installed at the road connection. Therefore, this seat air conditioner can be installed even on a seat having a small mounting space.

According to the fourth aspect, the ventilation passage has an external flow path connecting portion to which a plurality of flow paths are connected below the sheet and outside the sheet. The wind direction changing member and the operating member are provided at the external flow path connection portion and switch the direction of the conditioned air flowing through the ventilation path.

According to this, even if the space below the seat is small, the seat air conditioner can use the wind direction changing member and the operating member externally if a space for the operating member to expand and contract linearly can be secured in the external flow path connection portion. It can be installed at the flow path connection. Therefore, this seat air conditioner can be mounted on a seat having a small mounting space below the seat.

According to the fifth aspect, the seat air conditioner includes a heating member and a control device. The heating member can heat the operating member by energization. The control device controls the energization of the heating member according to the reclining angle of the seat back portion with respect to the seat cushion portion.

According to this, the operating member can expand and contract by controlling the energization from the control device to the heating member to move the wind direction changing member. In general, a occupant seated on a seat tends to move the position of the buttocks forward as the reclining angle of the seat back increases. Therefore, the control device controls the energization of the heating member so that the conditioned air is blown downward from the air outlet provided in the seat back as the reclining angle of the seat back portion is larger, and the operating member and the wind direction are controlled. Drive the changing member. Therefore, this seat air conditioner can further enhance the comfort of the occupant by changing the direction of the air conditioning air blown from the air outlet.

According to the sixth aspect, the operating member is a polymer fiber having a property of linearly expanding and contracting with respect to temperature. According to this, the polymer fiber can automatically expand and contract according to the temperature of the air flowing through the air outlet to change the wind direction changing member. Therefore, since this seat air conditioner does not require a dedicated control device or sensor to drive the wind direction changing member provided at the air outlet, the configuration for driving the wind direction changing member is simplified. be able to.

1 Seat air conditioner 2 Seat 3 Vehicle air conditioner 4 Crew 10 Ventilation passage 20 Wind direction changing member 30 Acting member 21 Louver 23 Flow path switching door

Claims (2)

The space around the occupant (4) seated in the seat is air-conditioned by using the air-conditioning air generated by the vehicle air-conditioning device (3) mounted on the vehicle, which is applied to the seat (2) installed in the vehicle interior. It ’s a seat air conditioner.
A ventilation path (10) configured so that the conditioned air generated by the vehicle air conditioner passes through the outside or the inside of the seat and is blown out to the occupant seated on the seat or the space around the seat.
A wind direction changing member (20, 21, 23) provided inside the ventilation passage and capable of changing the direction of the conditioned air flowing through the ventilation passage or the direction of the conditioned air blown from the ventilation passage.
It is provided with an operating member (30) which is provided to be heated or cooled by the conditioned air flowing through the ventilation passage and can move the wind direction changing member due to the characteristic of linearly expanding and contracting according to the temperature .
The seat has a seat cushion portion (2a) that supports the buttocks of the occupant and a seat back portion (2b) that supports the back of the occupant.
The ventilation passage has an air outlet (13) for blowing air-conditioned air from the seat back portion into the vehicle interior.
The wind direction changing member (21) and the operating member are provided inside the air outlet.
A heating member (35) capable of heating the operating member by energization, and
A seat air conditioner further comprising a control device (60) for controlling energization of the heating member according to a reclining angle of the seat back portion with respect to the seat cushion portion . The seat air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the operating member is a polymer fiber having a property of linearly expanding and contracting according to temperature.

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