JP7188066B2 - Dust detector - Google Patents

Description

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

Patent Literature 1 describes an air sorting device that blows air from an air blower to sort out grains by blowing off straw scraps and the like. The wind sorting device of Patent Document 1 has a pressure sensor provided in the air flow path and a variable vane provided at the suction port of the blower. In this air sorting device, the opening degree of the variable vane is controlled according to the detection value of the pressure sensor, and the wind speed of the sorting air flowing through the air blowing channel blows away only the straw scraps, etc. and extracts only the grains. It is kept within a predetermined range of possible wind speeds.

JP-A-2001-327923

By the way, when the dust concentration in the air is detected using an optical dust sensor, the dust sensor cannot measure the dust concentration accurately unless the air flows at a constant wind speed in the sensor optical detection part, which is the sensing point of the dust sensor. cannot be detected well.

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

Therefore, the inventors considered using the technique described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 in order to set the wind speed at the optical detection portion of the sensor to a desired wind speed and suppress the fluctuation of the wind speed. However, when the technique of Patent Document 1 is used, a sensor for detecting the wind speed and a control device for controlling an actuator or the like using the detected value of the sensor are required. This results in complication of the structure and expansion of the mounting space. As a result of detailed studies by the inventors, the above was found.

The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances exemplified above. The purpose is to suppress the fluctuation of

In order to achieve the above object, the dust detection device according to claim 1 comprises:
It has a wind pressure receiving part (421) configured to receive the wind pressure (P1) of air flowing through the passage to be adjusted (421a), and the subject to be adjusted by the wind pressure so as to suppress fluctuations in the amount of air flowing through the passage to be adjusted. an opening adjustment device (42) for adjusting the opening of the passage;
an optical dust sensor (34) for detecting the dust concentration of the air in the sensor passage (341) through which the air flows ;
The first air passage (381) and the second air passage (401) are connected to each other, and the flow of air introduced from the first air passage sucks air from the second air passage. an aspirator (36) for generating an air flow in the air passage ,
Air flows through the adjustment target passage due to the air flow of an in-unit passage (11a) formed in an air-conditioning unit (10) for air-conditioning the vehicle interior,
Air flows through the sensor passage as air flows through the adjustment target passage,
The wind speed of the air flowing through the sensor passage decreases as the air volume flowing through the passage to be adjusted decreases .
The first air passage has an inlet (381a), which is connected to the intra-unit passage and into which air flows from the intra-unit passage, at the upstream end of the air flow of the first air passage,
the sensor passage is included in the second air passage;
The passage to be adjusted constitutes a partial section of the first air passage or a partial section of the second air passage connected in series to the sensor passage.

As described above, the opening adjustment device adjusts the passage opening of the passage to be adjusted so as to suppress fluctuations in the amount of air flowing through the passage to be adjusted, depending on the wind pressure applied to the portion subjected to wind pressure. Therefore, the opening adjustment device operates autonomously according to the wind pressure applied to the wind pressure receiving portion, and can suppress fluctuations in the air volume in the passage to be adjusted without requiring electrical control.

As described above, the wind speed in the sensor passage decreases as the air volume in the passage to be adjusted decreases. Therefore, if the fluctuation in the air volume in the passage to be adjusted is suppressed, the fluctuation in the wind speed in the sensor passage is also suppressed. For this reason, it is possible to suppress fluctuations in wind speed in the sensor passage, which is the sensing point of the dust sensor, without requiring a sensor or control device for electrically controlling the operation of the opening adjustment device. be.

As described above, in order to establish a configuration that suppresses fluctuations in the air volume in the passage to be adjusted, electrical control is not essential, but it is possible to add the electrical control.

It should be noted that the reference numerals in parentheses attached to each component etc. indicate an example of the correspondence relationship between the component etc. and specific components etc. described in the embodiments described later.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the schematic configuration of the dust detection device and the air conditioning unit to which the dust detection device is attached in the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a schematic configuration of an opening degree adjusting device by enlarging part II of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1 schematically showing the schematic configuration of the dust detection device and the air conditioning unit to which the dust detection device is attached in the second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows the schematic configuration of the opening degree adjusting device by enlarging the IV section of FIG. 3 , and corresponds to FIG. 2 ; FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1 schematically showing the schematic configuration of the dust detection device and the air conditioning unit to which the dust detection device is attached in the third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the schematic configuration of the opening degree adjusting device by enlarging the VI section of FIG. 5 and corresponding to FIG. 2 ; In the fourth embodiment, the section II of FIG. 1 is enlarged to schematically show the schematic configuration of the opening adjustment device, and the connection relationship between the elastic portion of the opening adjustment device and the door mechanism of the air conditioning unit is schematically shown. 2, corresponding to FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing in detail the elastic portion of the opening adjustment device of FIG. 7; In the fifth embodiment, section II in FIG. 1 is enlarged to schematically show the schematic configuration of the opening degree adjusting device, and a cross section schematically showing the connection relationship between the operating portion and the elastic portion of the opening degree adjusting device. FIG. 8 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 7; FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the schematic configuration of a dust detection device and an air conditioning unit to which the dust detection device is attached in a sixth embodiment; 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the XI section of FIG. 10 and schematically showing the schematic configuration of the air passage and the opening degree adjusting device in the dust detection device. FIG.

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

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

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

As shown in FIG. 1, the air-conditioning unit 10 has an air-conditioning case 11 and a blower 12, and also has an evaporator (not shown), a heater core, and a plurality of doors provided in the air-conditioning case 11. there is

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

Also, the blower 12 has a blower fan and a blower motor for rotating the blower fan. The blower 12 sucks in the inside air, which is the air inside the vehicle compartment, or the outside air, which is the air outside the vehicle compartment, and blows out the sucked air by rotating the blower fan. As a result, the blower 12 causes the air in the intra-unit passage 11a to flow in one direction as indicated by the arrow A1. The air-conditioning unit 10 controls the temperature of the air flowing through the in-unit passage 11a by means of the evaporator and the heater core, and blows out the temperature-controlled conditioned air into the passenger compartment.

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

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

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

The inflow port 381a of the first air passage 381 is connected to the in-unit passage 11a, and air flows into the inflow port 381a from the in-unit passage 11a. Specifically, the inlet 381a of the first air passage 381 is opened in the in-unit passage 11a so as to face the air flow in the in-unit passage 11a as indicated by the arrow A1.

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

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

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

In addition, the second air passage 401 has an inlet 401a at the air flow upstream end of the second air passage 401, through which air flows from the outside of the second air passage 401. As shown in FIG. Since the inflow port 401a of the second air passage 401 is open to the interior of the vehicle, the inside air is introduced into the second air passage 401 through the inflow port 401a as indicated by an arrow A3. In this embodiment, the airflow in the second air passage 401 is referred to as sensor airflow.

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

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

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

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

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

Dust sensor 34 is provided in the middle of second air passage 401 . Therefore, the sensor passage 341 of the dust sensor 34 is included in the second air passage 401, and the air introduced into the second air passage 401 from the inlet 401a of the second air passage 401 passes through the sensor passage 341 to the aspirator 36. and aspirated.

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

Further, since the second pipe portion 40 is arranged outside the air conditioning unit 10 in the vehicle interior, the dust sensor 34 is similarly arranged outside the air conditioning unit 10 in the vehicle interior.

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

Since the adjustment target passage 421a is an air passage forming a partial section of the first air passage 381, air flows through the adjustment target passage 421a due to the air flow of the in-unit passage 11a. All of the air flowing through the first air passage 381 to the aspirator 36 also passes through the adjustment target passage 421a. For example, the passage damper 421 is arranged outside the aspirator 36 because the adjustment target passage 421 a is located near the inlet 381 a of the first air passage 381 .

The passage damper 421 is a wind pressure receiving portion configured to receive the wind pressure P1 of the air flowing through the adjustment target passage 421a. Specifically, the passage damper 421 is urged by the air pressure P1 so as to act to reduce the passage opening of the adjustment target passage 421a.

The opening adjustment device 42 adjusts the passage opening of the adjustment target passage 421a by the wind pressure P1 received by the passage damper 421 so as to suppress fluctuations in the amount of air flowing through the adjustment target passage 421a. Here, since the passage opening degree of the adjustment target passage 421a is, in other words, the opening degree of the adjustment target passage 421a, reducing the passage opening degree means that the adjustment target passage 421a has an effective opening through which air can pass. It is to reduce the cross-sectional area Sv.

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

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

Also, the one end 422a of the elastic portion is immovable relative to the first pipe portion 38, and is fixed to the air conditioning case 11, for example. On the other hand, the elastic portion other end 422 b is connected to the passage damper 421 . The passage damper 421 displaces the elastic portion other end 422b away from the elastic portion one end 422a as the passage damper 421 operates to decrease the passage opening degree of the adjustment target passage 421a. In other words, as the passage damper 421 operates to decrease the passage opening degree of the adjustment target passage 421a, the passage damper 421 widens the end-to-end distance between the elastic portion one end 422a and the elastic portion other end 422b.

Therefore, the elastic portion 422 strongly urges the passage damper 421 in the direction of increasing the passage opening of the adjustment target passage 421a as the elastic portion 422 is elastically deformed in the direction in which the distance between both ends of the elastic portion 422 widens. That is, as the passage damper 421 decreases the passage opening degree of the adjustment target passage 421a, the elastic portion 422 strongly urges the passage damper 421 by elastic deformation of the elastic portion 422 to increase the passage opening degree.

In this manner, the elastic portion 422 biases the passage damper 421 in the direction of increasing the passage opening of the adjustment target passage 421a, as indicated by the arrow Pe. For example, the elastic deformation amount of the elastic portion 422 is minimized in the fully open state in which the passage opening degree of the adjustment target passage 421a is maximized, but even in the fully open state, the elastic portion 422 is pulled and elastically deformed. held. That is, even in the fully open state of the adjustment target passage 421a, the elastic portion 422 urges the passage damper 421 to increase the passage opening of the adjustment target passage 421a.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the opening adjustment device 42 opens the adjustment target passage 421a by the wind pressure P1 that the passage damper 421 receives so as to suppress fluctuations in the amount of air flowing through the adjustment target passage 421a. adjust the degree. Therefore, the opening adjustment device 42 is autonomously operated by the wind pressure P1 that the passage damper 421 receives, and can suppress fluctuations in the air volume of the adjustment target passage 421a without requiring electrical control.

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

For example, if the opening degree adjusting device 42 is not provided, if the air flow in the in-unit passage 11a indicated by the arrow A1 increases in speed, the air volume in the adjustment target passage 421a increases accordingly. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the opening degree adjusting device 42 is provided, even if the air flow in the unit passage 11a increases in speed, the fluctuation of the air volume in the passage 421a to be adjusted is controlled by the opening degree adjusting device 42. , and the air volume in the adjustment target passage 421a can be made constant.

By suppressing fluctuations in the air volume in the adjustment target passage 421a in this way, the wind speed in the sensor passage 341 is less likely to fluctuate. Therefore, fluctuations in the sensor output value of the dust sensor 34 due to wind speed fluctuations in the sensor passage 341 are also suppressed, and it is possible to reduce the correction amount for the sensor output value. Ultimately, this leads to improvement in the accuracy of the dust concentration detected by the dust detection device 32 .

Further, as described above, the opening adjustment device 42 can suppress fluctuations in the air volume in the adjustment target passage 421a without requiring electrical control. Parts such as sensors can be reduced. As a result, the mountability of the dust detection device 32 on the vehicle can be improved, and the cost of the dust detection device 32 can be reduced. Further, since the electric actuator for operating the passage damper 421 and the control device for controlling the electric actuator are not required, the cost of the dust detection device 32 can be reduced.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the passage damper 421 of the opening degree adjusting device 42 is configured to be able to increase or decrease the passage opening degree of the passage 421a to be adjusted. is strongly urged by the wind pressure P1 to the side of decreasing . Also, the elastic portion 422 of the opening degree adjusting device 42 is connected to the passage damper 421 . As the passage damper 421 decreases the passage opening, the elastic portion 422 strongly urges the passage damper 421 by elastic deformation of the passage damper 421 to increase the passage opening. Therefore, it is possible to achieve a function of suppressing fluctuations in the amount of air flowing through the adjustment target passage 421a with a simple structure that utilizes the elastic deformation of the elastic portion 422 .

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

As a result, when the aspirator 36 is provided to generate an air flow in the sensor passage 341 using the air flow in the air conditioning unit 10, the opening adjustment device 42 can suppress the fluctuation of the wind speed in the sensor passage 341. It is possible.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, differences from the above-described first embodiment will be mainly described. Also, the same or equivalent parts as those of the above-described embodiment will be omitted or simplified. This also applies to the description of the embodiments that will be described later.

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

Specifically, the opening adjustment device 42 is provided in the aspirator 36 . In the aspirator 36, the passage through which the air of the first air passage 381 passes is an adjustment target passage 421a in which the passage damper 421 is arranged. Further, the adjustment target passage 421a in the aspirator 36 is arranged upstream of the confluence portion where the air flow from the first air passage 381 and the air flow from the second air passage 401 join.

Therefore, the passage damper 421 of the opening degree adjusting device 42 differs from the first embodiment in that it is provided inside the aspirator 36, but the function of the passage damper 421 to throttle the air flow in the first air passage 381 is as follows. , are the same as in the first embodiment.

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

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

Except for what has been described above, this embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. In addition, in the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effects as in the first embodiment, which are provided by the configuration common to that of the first embodiment.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, differences from the above-described first embodiment will be mainly described.

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

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

As described above, the adjustment target passage 421a is connected in series with the sensor passage 341. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, air flows through the adjustment target passage 421a. air flows. The wind speed of the air flowing through the sensor passage 341 decreases as the amount of air flowing through the adjustment target passage 421a decreases.

In addition, the one end 422a of the elastic portion is not movable relative to the second pipe portion 40, and is fixed to the second pipe portion 40, for example.

In this embodiment, if the air flow in the in-unit passage 11a indicated by the arrow A1 increases in speed, the air volume in the first air passage 381 increases accordingly, and the aspirator 36 moves the air in the second air passage 401. The suction power for sucking is increased. On the other hand, as the suction force increases, the passage damper 421 reduces the passage opening degree of the adjustment target passage 421 a included in the second air passage 401 . Therefore, in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the opening adjustment device 42 controls the flow rate of the adjustment target passage 421a so as to suppress fluctuations in the amount of air flowing through the adjustment target passage 421a due to the wind pressure P1 that the passage damper 421 receives. Adjust passage opening. As a result, like the first embodiment, fluctuations in wind speed in the sensor passage 341 are suppressed.

Except for what has been described above, this embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. In addition, in the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effects as in the first embodiment, which are provided by the configuration common to that of the first embodiment.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, differences from the above-described first embodiment will be mainly described.

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

Specifically, the air conditioning unit 10 has a door mechanism 14 that operates to affect the wind speed of the air flowing through the intra-unit passage 11a. Although this door mechanism 14 is also provided in the air conditioning unit 10 of the first embodiment, it is not illustrated in the first embodiment, and is illustrated in FIG. 7 in the present embodiment.

The door mechanism 14 is, for example, a defroster door that opens and closes a defroster outlet among the plurality of air outlets of the air conditioning unit 10 . For example, when the door mechanism 14, which is a defroster door, opens the defroster outlet, the airflow resistance in the unit passage 11a decreases, so that the air velocity and air volume flowing through the unit passage 11a increases. That is, the door mechanism 14 operates to affect the wind speed of the air flowing through the intra-unit passage 11a, as described above.

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

That is, the more the door mechanism 14 operates toward the side of increasing the wind speed in the unit passage 11a, the more the door mechanism 14 displaces the one end 422a of the elastic portion toward the other end 422b of the elastic portion (that is, the direction indicated by the arrow B1). Let me. The wind speed in the description "the more the door mechanism 14 operates to increase the wind speed in the unit passage 11a" is, for example, the wind speed at a predetermined portion of the unit passage 11a where the passage cross-sectional area does not change. .

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the one end 422a of the elastic portion is displaced by the door mechanism 14, the passage damper 421 adjusts the opening degree of the passage 421a to be adjusted by using the operation of the door mechanism 14. it is possible to earn Since the operation of the door mechanism 14 is used to adjust the position of the one end 422a of the elastic portion, and the position of the one end 422a of the elastic portion is mechanically interlocked with the operation of the door mechanism 14, the one end 422a of the elastic portion is displaced. There is an advantage in that no electrical control is required to make it work.

Except for what has been described above, this embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. In addition, in the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effects as in the first embodiment, which are provided by the configuration common to that of the first embodiment.

Although this embodiment is a modification based on the first embodiment, it is also possible to combine this embodiment with the above-described second or third embodiment.

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

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

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

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

For example, the controller 48 receives various information such as the number of rotations of the blower fan of the blower 12 and the opening/closing state of each door of the air conditioning unit 10 from an air conditioning control device 50 that executes air conditioning control of the air conditioning unit 10. is input. The control unit 48 estimates the wind speed of the air flowing through the unit passage 11a (that is, the wind speed inside the unit passage 11a) based on the inputted rotational speed of the blower fan, the open/close state of each door, and the like. The control section 48 controls the operation of the operating section 46 based on the wind speed in the intra-unit passage 11a.

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

That is, the control section 48 moves the operating section 46 so that the operating section 46 displaces the one end 422a of the elastic section 422a toward the other end 422b of the elastic section as the wind speed in the intra-unit passage 11a increases. activate. The wind speed in the statement "the higher the wind speed in the unit passage 11a" is, for example, the wind speed at a predetermined portion of the unit passage 11a where the passage cross-sectional area does not change, and is estimated by the control unit 48. is an estimate of

According to this embodiment, it is possible to increase the adjustment width by which the passage damper 421 adjusts the passage opening degree of the adjustment target passage 421a by operating the operating portion 46 .

Except for what has been described above, this embodiment is the same as the fourth embodiment. In addition, in the present embodiment, the same effects as in the fourth embodiment can be obtained from the configuration common to that of the fourth embodiment.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, differences from the above-described first embodiment will be mainly described.

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

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

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

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

In addition, the intra-unit passage 11a has a passage connecting port 11b. The passage connecting port 11b is a part of the in-unit passage 11a on the upstream side of the air flow with respect to the blower fan 121. As shown in FIG.

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

For example, when the blower fan 121 is rotated, it causes the air in the intra-unit passage 11a to flow in one direction as indicated by an arrow A1. Accordingly, the air in the adjustment target passage 421a is drawn into the unit passage 11a as indicated by arrow A4. Therefore, air flows into the bracket inlet 521 from the vehicle interior as indicated by an arrow A3. The air that has flowed into the bracket inlet 521 flows into the sensor passage 341 as shown by arrow A5, flows in the sensor passage 341 as shown by arrow A6, and flows from the sensor passage 341 to the adjustment target passage 421a as shown by arrow A7. influx. Thus, in the adjustment target passage 421a and the sensor passage 341, the operation of the blower fan 121 causes the air to flow toward the intra-unit passage 11a.

Except for what has been described above, this embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. In addition, in the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effects as in the first embodiment, which are provided by the configuration common to that of the first embodiment.

Further, according to this embodiment, the adjustment target passage 421 a is connected in series with the sensor passage 341 . The sensor passage 341 is connected to the passage connecting port 11b, which is a portion of the unit passage 11a on the upstream side of the air flow relative to the blower fan 121, via the adjustment target passage 421a. Further, in the adjustment target passage 421a and the sensor passage 341, the operation of the blower fan 121 causes air to flow toward the intra-unit passage 11a. Therefore, it is possible to generate an air flow in the sensor passage 341 by using the air flow in the air conditioning unit 10 indicated by the arrow A1 with a simple structure of the air passage. is also possible.

Although this embodiment is a modification based on the first embodiment, it is also possible to combine this embodiment with the above-described fourth or fifth embodiment.

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

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

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

Alternatively, the adjustment target passage 421a may be a passage in which the air of the second air passage 401 passes, which is on the air flow upstream side of the confluence portion of the aspirator 36 . In this case, considering that a part of the second air passage 401 connected to the aspirator 36 on the downstream side of the air flow extends into the aspirator 36, the passage 421a to be adjusted is the second air passage 401 that is connected to the aspirator 36. It can also be understood that it constitutes a part of the section to which it belongs.

(4) In the above-described fourth embodiment, the door mechanism 14 shown in FIG. 7 is, for example, a defroster door. may be Alternatively, the door mechanism 14 may be an air mix door for adjusting the temperature of the conditioned air blown out from the air conditioning unit 10, or an inside/outside air switching door for switching between inside air and outside air flowing into the unit passage 11a. may

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

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

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

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

(9) It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made. Moreover, the above-described embodiments are not unrelated to each other, and can be appropriately combined unless the combination is clearly impossible.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, it goes without saying that the elements constituting the embodiment are not necessarily essential, unless it is explicitly stated that they are essential, or they are clearly considered essential in principle. stomach. In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, when numerical values such as the number, numerical value, amount, range, etc. of the constituent elements of the embodiment are mentioned, when it is explicitly stated that they are particularly essential, and when they are clearly limited to a specific number in principle It is not limited to that specific number, except when

In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, when referring to the material, shape, positional relationship, etc. of the constituent elements, unless otherwise specified or in principle limited to a specific material, shape, positional relationship, etc. , its material, shape, positional relationship, and the like.

Also, the controller 48 and techniques described in FIG. 9 may be implemented by a dedicated computer provided by configuring a processor and memory programmed to perform one or more functions embodied by the computer program. It may be realized by Alternatively, the controller 48 and techniques described in FIG. 9 may be implemented by a dedicated computer provided by configuring the processor with one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the control unit 48 and techniques described in FIG. 9 are a combination of a processor and memory programmed to perform one or more functions and a processor configured by one or more hardware logic circuits. may be implemented by one or more dedicated computers configured by The computer program may also be stored as computer-executable instructions on a computer-readable non-transitional tangible recording medium.

(summary)
According to the first aspect shown in part or all of the above embodiments, the opening adjustment device has a wind pressure receiving portion configured to receive the wind pressure of the air flowing through the passage to be adjusted. Further, the opening adjustment device adjusts the passage opening of the passage to be adjusted by the wind pressure so as to suppress fluctuations in the amount of air flowing through the passage to be adjusted. A dust sensor is an optical sensor for detecting the dust concentration of air in a sensor passage through which air flows. Air flows through the passage to be adjusted by an air flow in a unit passage formed in an air conditioning unit that air-conditions the interior of the vehicle, and air flows to the sensor passage along with the air flowing in the passage to be adjusted. The wind velocity of the air flowing through the sensor passage becomes smaller as the amount of air flowing through the adjustment target passage becomes smaller.

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

Further, according to the third aspect, the air conditioning unit has a blower fan provided in the intra-unit passage to flow the air in the intra-unit passage. The passage to be adjusted is connected in series with the sensor passage, and one of the passage to be adjusted and the sensor passage is connected via the other passage to a portion of the passage in the unit on the upstream side of the air flow relative to the blower fan. do. In the passage to be adjusted and the sensor passage, air flows toward the intra-unit passage due to the operation of the blower fan. Therefore, it is possible to use the air flow in the air conditioning unit to generate an air flow in the sensor passage with a simple structure of the air passage, and it is also possible to provide an opening adjustment device.

According to the fourth aspect, the first air passage and the second air passage are connected to the aspirator. The aspirator sucks air from the second air passage by the flow of air introduced from the first air passage, and the suction of the air generates an air flow in the second air passage. Further, the first air passage has an inlet connected to the intra-unit passage and through which air flows in from the intra-unit passage, at the air flow upstream end of the first air passage. The sensor passage is included in the second air passage, and the passage to be adjusted constitutes a partial section of the first air passage or a partial section of the second air passage connected in series to the sensor passage.

In this way, when the aspirator is provided to generate an air flow in the sensor passage of the dust sensor by using the air flow in the air conditioning unit, the fluctuation of the wind speed in the sensor passage can be suppressed by the opening adjustment device. is possible.

Further, according to the fifth aspect, the air conditioning unit has a door mechanism that operates to affect the wind speed of air flowing through the intra-unit passage. The elastic part has one end of the elastic part that is connected to the door mechanism and is moved in mechanical interlock with the operation of the door mechanism, and the other end of the elastic part that is connected to the wind pressure part. Further, the elastic portion is elastically deformed in a direction in which the distance between one end of the elastic portion and the other end of the elastic portion widens, and strongly urges the wind-pressure receiving portion toward the side of increasing the opening of the passage. Then, as the door mechanism moves toward the side of increasing the wind velocity in the intra-unit passage, the door mechanism displaces one end of the elastic portion toward the other end of the elastic portion. Therefore, it is possible to increase the adjustment width for adjusting the passage opening degree of the passage to be adjusted by the wind-pressured part by using the operation of the door mechanism.

Moreover, according to the sixth aspect, the dust detector 32 includes an operating section and a control section that controls the operation of the operating section. The elastic part has one end of the elastic part connected to the operating part and moved by the operating part, and the other end of the elastic part connected to the wind-pressed part. Further, the elastic portion is elastically deformed in a direction in which the distance between one end of the elastic portion and the other end of the elastic portion is widened, so that the wind pressure receiving portion is strongly urged to increase the opening of the passage. Then, the control section operates the operating section such that the operating section displaces the one end of the elastic section in a direction in which the one end of the elastic section approaches the other end of the elastic section as the wind speed in the intra-unit passage increases. In this way, it is possible to increase the adjustment width for adjusting the passage opening degree of the adjustment target passage by the wind pressure receiving portion by operating the operating portion.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 air conditioning unit 11a passage in unit 32 dust detection device 34 dust sensor 42 opening adjustment device 341 sensor passage 421 passage damper (wind pressure receiving portion)
421a Passage to be adjusted P1 Wind pressure

Claims (4)

A dust detection device,
It has a wind pressure receiving part (421) configured to receive wind pressure (P1) of air flowing through the passage to be adjusted (421a). an opening adjustment device (42) for adjusting the opening of the passage to be adjusted;
an optical dust sensor (34) for detecting the dust concentration of the air in the sensor passage (341) through which the air flows ;
A first air passage (381) and a second air passage (401) are connected to each other, and air is sucked from the second air passage by the flow of air introduced from the first air passage. an aspirator (36) for generating an air flow in the second air passage ,
Air flows through the adjustment target passage due to an air flow of an in-unit passage (11a) formed in an air conditioning unit (10) for air conditioning in the passenger compartment,
air flows through the sensor passage as the air flows through the adjustment target passage;
The wind speed of the air flowing through the sensor passage becomes smaller as the amount of air flowing through the adjustment target passage becomes smaller ,
The first air passage has an inlet (381a), which is connected to the intra-unit passage and into which air flows from the intra-unit passage, at an air flow upstream end of the first air passage,
the sensor passage is included in the second air passage;
The dust detection device , wherein the passage to be adjusted constitutes a partial section of the first air passage or a partial section of the second air passage connected in series to the sensor passage . The wind pressure receiving portion is configured to be able to increase or decrease the opening of the passageway, and is strongly urged by the wind pressure to decrease the opening of the passageway as the wind pressure increases,
The opening adjustment device has an elastic part (422) connected to the wind pressure part,
2. The elastic portion according to claim 1, wherein, as the wind pressure portion decreases the passage opening degree, the wind pressure portion strongly urges the wind pressure portion toward a side of increasing the passage opening degree by elastic deformation of the elastic portion. dust detector. A dust detection device,
It has a wind pressure receiving part (421) configured to receive wind pressure (P1) of air flowing through the passage to be adjusted (421a). an opening adjustment device (42) for adjusting the opening of the passage to be adjusted;
an optical dust sensor (34) for detecting the dust concentration of the air in the sensor passage (341) through which the air flows;
Air flows through the adjustment target passage due to an air flow of an in-unit passage (11a) formed in an air conditioning unit (10) for air conditioning in the passenger compartment,
air flows through the sensor passage as the air flows through the adjustment target passage;
The wind speed of the air flowing through the sensor passage becomes smaller as the amount of air flowing through the adjustment target passage becomes smaller ,
The wind pressure receiving portion is configured to be able to increase or decrease the opening of the passageway, and is strongly urged by the wind pressure to decrease the opening of the passageway as the wind pressure increases,
The opening adjustment device has an elastic part (422) connected to the wind pressure part,
the elastic portion strongly biases the wind-pressure-receiving portion toward the side of increasing the passage opening by elastic deformation of the elastic portion as the wind-pressure-receiving portion decreases the passage opening;
The air conditioning unit has a door mechanism (14) that operates to affect the wind speed of the air flowing through the passage in the unit,
The elastic part has one end (422a) of the elastic part which is connected to the door mechanism and is moved mechanically in conjunction with the operation of the door mechanism, and the other end (422b) of the elastic part which is connected to the wind pressure part. and the wind pressure receiving portion is strongly urged to the side of increasing the opening of the passage as the elastic portion is elastically deformed in the direction in which the distance between one end of the elastic portion and the other end of the elastic portion is widened,
The dust detecting device according to claim 1, wherein one end of the elastic portion is displaced toward the other end of the elastic portion by the door mechanism as the door mechanism operates to increase the wind speed in the intra-unit passage . A dust detection device,
It has a wind pressure receiving part (421) configured to receive wind pressure (P1) of air flowing through the passage to be adjusted (421a). an opening adjustment device (42) for adjusting the opening of the passage to be adjusted;
an optical dust sensor (34) for detecting the dust concentration of the air in the sensor passage (341) through which the air flows ;
an actuating portion (46);
A control unit (48) that controls the operation of the operating unit ,
Air flows through the adjustment target passage due to an air flow of an in-unit passage (11a) formed in an air conditioning unit (10) for air conditioning in the passenger compartment,
air flows through the sensor passage as the air flows through the adjustment target passage;
The wind speed of the air flowing through the sensor passage becomes smaller as the amount of air flowing through the adjustment target passage becomes smaller ,
The wind pressure receiving portion is configured to be able to increase or decrease the opening of the passageway, and is strongly urged by the wind pressure to decrease the opening of the passageway as the wind pressure increases,
The opening adjustment device has an elastic part (422) connected to the wind pressure part,
the elastic portion strongly biases the wind-pressure-receiving portion toward the side of increasing the passage opening by elastic deformation of the elastic portion as the wind-pressure-receiving portion decreases the passage opening;
The elastic portion has one end (422a) of the elastic portion which is connected to the operating portion and is moved by the operating portion, and the other end (422b) of the elastic portion which is connected to the portion subjected to wind pressure. The wind-pressure-receiving part is urged more strongly toward the side of increasing the opening of the passage as the elastic deformation increases in the direction in which the distance between one end and the other end of the elastic part is widened,
The control section operates the operating section such that the operating section displaces the one end of the elastic section in a direction in which the one end of the elastic section approaches the other end of the elastic section as the wind speed in the intra-unit passage increases , Dust detector.

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