JPH03295756A - Air conditioner for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the dust-proof property and cooling performance for electric components by providing a cooling plate to constitute part of an electric component box storing the electric components, and utilizing the refrigerating cycle to cool it. CONSTITUTION:An air conditioner 21 installed at the roof section of a railway vehicle has an indoor side unit section 2 at the center section in the longitudinal direction and outer side unit sections 4, 4 at both end sections, and a machine room 3 is arranged between the indoor side unit section 2 and one outdoor side unit section 4. An electric component box 9 storing electric components 9a including a compressor 8 and an inverter device is arranged in the machine room 3, and the machine room 3 is shielded from the intake side air duct 11 side of the indoor side unit section 2 by a partition plate 24. A cooling plate 26 constituting part of a container sealing and storing the electric components 9a arranged in the machine room 3 is provided, the outside face 27 is exposed to the intake side air duct 11 of the indoor side unit section 2, and a heat exchanger 28 for the cooling plate 26 functioning as an evaporator is provided on the outside face 27.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner installed, for example, on the roof of a railway vehicle.

(Prior Art) For example, a railway vehicle is equipped with a train air conditioner 1 as shown in FIG.

That is, this air conditioner 1 is installed on the roof of a railway vehicle, and is composed of an indoor unit part 2, a machine room 3, and an outdoor unit part 4, which are adjacent to each other. The indoor unit section 2 is formed with an inlet 5 and an outlet (not shown) that communicate with the vehicle's indoor side, and an indoor heat exchanger 6 and an indoor blower are provided in the ventilation passage between these. (not shown) is provided.

``The outdoor unit section 4 is configured to have an outdoor heat exchanger (not shown) and an outdoor blower 7 arranged so as to communicate with the outdoor air.

In the machine room 3, a compressor 8 and an electrical parts box 9 containing electrical control parts for controlling the operation of the compressor 8 are arranged.

Further, the machine room 3 and the indoor unit section 2 are separated by a partition plate 10. Then, when the air conditioner having the above configuration is operated, in the indoor unit section 2, the indoor air sucked from the suction port 5 by the indoor blower (not shown) is transferred to the suction side ventilation partitioned by the partition plate 10. Road 11
The air is then sent to the indoor heat exchanger 6 for heat exchange and guided into the room from the outlet side as shown by arrow A, thereby cooling or heating the inside of the car.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) By the way, in the air conditioner 1 as described above, since the electrical components in the machine room generate heat during operation, heat has conventionally been radiated from the surface of the electrical component box.

However, in recent years, as a means for controlling the capacity of an air conditioner, an inverter device has been used to control the capacity of a compressor. In this case, since the inverter device is composed of power transistors and the like that generate heat during operation, if it is stored in the machine room like the conventional electrical component box 9, its heat dissipation effect will be insufficient, so these components should not be There is now a need for cooling.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, a fin 12 made of aluminum casting is inserted into the suction side ventilation passage 11 from the electrical component box 9 by penetrating the partition plate 10, so that the air drawn in from inside the vehicle is drawn in. I considered doing so.

With such a structure, the fins 12 are required to be large enough to cool the inverter device and the electrical component box 9 sufficiently efficiently, so there is a problem that the electrical component box 9 becomes larger overall. occured.

Furthermore, when the fins 12 are placed in the ventilation passage 11, ventilation resistance becomes large, and in order to ensure a sufficient amount of air, either an indoor blower or the ventilation passage 11 is used.

Furthermore, in order to prevent the temperature of electrical components from rising, the electrical component box 9
Although the temperature of the air was kept low by allowing an appropriate amount of outside air to flow into the interior, this flow of air caused dust and dirt to adhere to the electrical components inside the electrical component box 9, causing the electrical components to become damaged. sometimes caused trouble.

An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that is small and lightweight, and has excellent dustproof properties for electrical components.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means and Effects for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention connects a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an outdoor heat exchanger sequentially through piping. an indoor unit section with an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor blower in a ventilation passage whose suction inlet and outlet are open to communicate with the vehicle interior; and an indoor unit section with an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor blower; An air conditioner for a vehicle is provided with a machine room adjacent to a ventilation path that stores electrical components such as an inverter device for controlling compressor operation, and an electrical component box that hermetically stores the electrical components therein; A cooling system that forms part of the electrical parts box and is separated from the machine room by a partition plate, with the outside surface exposed to the suction side ventilation path and the electrical components fixed thermally to the inside surface. A cooling device was provided, which was formed on the cooling plate and cooled the cooling plate using a refrigeration cycle.

According to the present invention, the cooling plate is cooled by the cooling device, and the electrical components including the plate inverter device and housed in the electrical component box are cooled without interfering with the air circulation within the vehicle interior.

In addition, a heat pump type refrigeration cycle is constructed in which a compressor, a four-way switching valve, an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, an outdoor heat exchanger, etc. are sequentially connected via piping, and the inlet and outlet are communicated with the passenger compartment. There is an indoor unit section with an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor blower in the open ventilation duct, and an indoor unit section adjacent to the suction side ventilation duct of the indoor unit section, where electrical components such as an inverter device for controlling compressor operation are installed. In a vehicle air conditioner that can be used in a machine room where it is stored, there is an electrical parts box that sealsly stores electrical components inside, and a part of the electrical parts box that is separated from the machine room by a partition plate. Cooling that utilizes a cooling plate whose outer surface is exposed to the suction side air passage of the indoor unit and which has electrical components fixed to the inner surface for thermal transfer, and a refrigeration cycle formed on this cooling plate. The system is equipped with a control device that stops cooling the cooling device during heating operation.

The present invention cools the cooling plate with the cooling device, and cools the electrical components including the plate inverter device stored in the electrical component box without interfering with the air circulation in the vehicle interior. This prevents the air flowing through the suction side ventilation path from being cooled.

Further, the electrical component box is configured with an electrical component cover that covers the electrical components on the inside of the machine room, and is equipped with a cooling device that cools the electrical component cover using a refrigeration cycle.

According to the present invention, the electrical component cover is cooled by the cooling device, thereby making it possible to prevent the temperature inside the electrical component box from rising excessively.

In addition, the cooling device for the cooling plate of the electrical component box and the cooling device for cooling the electrical component cover are composed of a cooling plate heat exchanger and an electrical component cover heat exchanger that constitute the evaporator of the refrigeration cycle. Self-seal couplings were interposed at the inlet and outlet sides of these heat exchangers to connect them to the refrigeration cycle in a detachable manner.

Further, the present invention cools the cooling plate and the electrical component cover by a removable heat exchanger for the cooling plate and a heat exchanger for the electrical component cover, and furthermore, when the heat exchanger is removed, the cooling plate and the electrical component cover are cooled. This prevents the refrigerant from flowing out during the cycle.

With these features, the present invention can cool electrical components including an inverter device without interfering with the air circulation in the vehicle interior, and also covers the electrical components with an electrical component cover to reduce the size and weight of the air conditioner and reduce the size of the electrical components. Improved dust resistance.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 7. Components that overlap with those described in the prior art section are given the same numerals and their explanations will be omitted.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, reference numeral 21 denotes a vehicle air conditioner installed, for example, on the roof of a railway vehicle. This air conditioner 21 has an indoor unit l! iH2, outdoor unit parts 4.4 are arranged at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and a machine room 3 is arranged between the indoor unit part 2 and one of the outdoor unit parts 2.

The outdoor unit section 4.4 includes an outdoor blower 7.7 arranged in the center, and outdoor heat exchangers 22 arranged to sandwich the outdoor blower 7.7. Then, by operating the outdoor blower 7.7, the air outside the vehicle is passed through the outdoor heat exchangers 22 for heat exchange.

The indoor unit section 2 includes an indoor heat exchanger 6, an indoor blower 23, etc. inside. A suction port 5 communicating with the vehicle interior is opened at the bottom of one longitudinal end of the indoor unit section 2, and a partition plate 24 with the machine compartment 3 is provided above the suction port 5.
A suction side ventilation path 11 is formed by a space between the indoor heat exchanger 6 and the indoor heat exchanger 6. At the bottom of the other longitudinal end of the indoor unit section 2, an air outlet 25 is opened above which communicates with the outlet side of the casing 23a of the indoor blower 23 and communicates with the vehicle interior. And the indoor blower 23
By driving the vehicle, the air inside the vehicle is
As shown by arrows A... in the figure, the air is guided from the suction port 5 through the suction side ventilation path 11 to the indoor heat exchanger 6, where heat is exchanged, and then guided into the casing 2Ba of the indoor blower 23. The configuration is such that air is blown from the air outlet 25 to the inside of the vehicle again.

The machine room 3 has an electrical component box 9 storing electrical components 9a including a compressor 8 and an inverter device, and is separated from the suction side ventilation path 11 side of the indoor unit section 2 by a partition plate 24. ing.

In addition, 26 in the figure is a cooling plate that forms part of a container that seals and stores electrical components 9a such as an inverter device arranged in the machine room 3, and the electrical components 9a, especially heat dissipating components such as the inverter device, are placed on the inside surface. Fixed to heat conduction. This cooling plate 26 is made of a material with good thermal conductivity such as aluminum, and is connected to the machine room 3 and the suction side ventilation passage 11 so as to form a part of this partition plate 24.
At the same time, the outer surface 27 is exposed to the suction side ventilation path 11 of the indoor unit section 2, and is configured to exchange heat with the air passing through this surface. Also,
On the outer surface 27 of the cooling plate 26, as shown in FIG. 4, a cooling plate heat exchanger is disposed in a meandering manner and constitutes a part of the refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner 21 and acts as an evaporator. 28
At the same time, a self-sealing coupling 29.2, the details of which will be described later, is provided at the pipe end of the evaporative heat exchanger 28.
9th grade is connected.

Further, 30 is a case-shaped electrical component cover that is housed so as to cover the periphery of the electrical component 9a arranged in the machine room 3.
Together with the cooling plate 26, an electrical component box 9 is configured as a storage container for electrical components 9a. This electrical parts cover 3
As shown in FIG. 5, a heat exchanger 31 for an electrical component cover is provided, which constitutes a part of the refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner 21 arranged in a meandering manner and acts as an evaporator. Self-sealing couplings 32 and 32, the details of which will be described later, are attached to the pipe ends of the component cover heat exchanger 31.
etc. are connected.

The heat exchanger is attached to the cooling plate 26 and the electrical component cover 30 by welding a vibrator to each surface or using a bonding means such as adhesive, or by using a roll bond type heat exchanger. It may be the one you have adopted.

Next, the connection configuration of the refrigeration cycle will be explained with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In the seventh prisoner, a compressor 8, a four-way switching valve (hereinafter referred to as a four-way valve) 33 as a switching valve between cooling and heating, an outdoor heat exchanger 22, a main capillary tube 28 as an expansion device, and an indoor heat The exchanger 5 is sequentially connected to the refrigerant piping, and the subcabinary tube 35, the cooling plate heat exchanger 28, and the first electromagnetic on-off valve 36 are connected in parallel to the series circuit of the main capillary tube 34 and the indoor heat exchanger 6. , a first bypass path 38 in which a second electromagnetic on-off valve 37 is connected in series, and a second bypass path 38 in which an electrical component cover heat exchanger 31 is connected in parallel with the second electromagnetic on-off valve 37 via piping. It has a configuration in which a bypass path 39 is connected.

In addition, the inlet and outlet piping of the cooling plate heat exchanger 28 and the electrical component cover heat exchanger 31 are connected by self-seal couplings 29.29 and 32.32, respectively, and the heat exchanger Each of the containers 28 and 31 can be attached to and detached from the refrigeration cycle as required. When the heat exchanger 28, 31 is separated from the refrigeration cycle by this self-seal coupling, the connection port is shut off to prevent the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle from leaking.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, a temperature sensor 40 for detecting the internal temperature is arranged inside the electrical component cover 30, and this temperature sensor 40 detects a temperature equal to or higher than a preset temperature. When the second electromagnetic on-off valve 3
7 is closed, and the refrigerant is controlled to pass through the second bypass path 39. Therefore, the refrigerant forms a flow path as shown by arrow C in FIG.

The four-way valve 33 and the first electromagnetic on-off valve 36 are configured to be controlled by the cooling/heating operation mode. That is, during cooling operation, the four-way valve 33 is switched so that the outdoor heat exchanger 22 performs the condensing action and the indoor heat exchanger 6 performs the evaporation action, and the first electromagnetic on-off valve 3
6 is opened, and the refrigerant is controlled to pass through the first bypass path 38. Therefore, the refrigerant forms a flow path as shown by arrow B in FIG. Also, during heating,
The four-way valve 33 is switched so that the indoor heat exchanger 5 acts as a condenser and the outdoor heat exchanger 22 acts as an evaporator.
The first electromagnetic on-off valve 36 is closed, and the first bypass path 3
8, the refrigerant is not allowed to pass through.

Next, the effects of the above configuration will be explained.

First, during the cooling operation of the inside of the car, the indoor heat exchanger 6 acts as a cooler, and when the indoor blower 23 operates, the air inside the car is guided from the suction port 5 to the suction side ventilation path 11, and the indoor heat exchanger 6 acts as a cooler. 6, and is sent to the inside of the car through the air outlet 25 for cooling.

Further, during this cooling operation, the first electromagnetic on-off valve 31 of the cooling plate 26 is opened, and the cooling plate heat exchanger 28 performs a cooling action, so that the electrical component 9a is forcibly cooled. In addition, the temperature inside the electrical component cover 30 does not become very high during normal times. Therefore, the temperature sensor 40 is below the set temperature, the second electromagnetic on-off valve 37 is open, no refrigerant is sent to the second bypass path 39, and the electrical component cover heat exchanger 31 is not cooled. . However, in summer when the outside temperature is high, the temperature inside the machine room 3 becomes relatively high, so
The cooling effect of the cooling plate 26 alone does not provide sufficient cooling, and the temperature inside the electrical component cover 30 increases. In this case, the temperature sensor 40 becomes higher than the set temperature and the second electromagnetic on-off valve 37 closes, so the refrigerant is sent to the second bypass path 39 and the electrical component cover heat exchanger 31 closes the electrical component cover 30. The interior is cooled, and the electrical component 9a is cooled from the surroundings, making it possible to suppress temperature rise. Therefore, during cooling operation, no matter what the outside temperature is, the temperature rise of the electrical components is always suppressed, and efficient operation is always possible.

Further, during heating operation, the first electromagnetic on-off valve 36 remains closed, so the first and second bypass paths 38.3
Since no refrigerant is sent to the cooling plate 26, forced cooling is not performed. However, since the outer surface 27 of the cooling plate 26 is exposed to the suction side ventilation path 11, heat exchange occurs between this surface and the relatively low temperature air sucked from the indoor side, and this air causes electrical components to 9a is performed, and the air passing through the suction side ventilation path 11 is heated, so that an auxiliary heating action is performed on the air sent to the indoor heat exchanger 6, and the heating operation efficiency is improved. I can figure it out.

Furthermore, even when performing maintenance on the electrical components 9a, the self-sealing couplings 29 and 32 allow the cooling plate 2 that constitutes the electrical component box to be separated from the refrigeration cycle.
6 and the electrical component cover 30 can be removed together for functional inspection.

Furthermore, in the air conditioner 21 configured as described above, the cooling plate 26 incorporated in the refrigeration cycle is thermally connected to the electrical component 9a, and the electrical component 9a is cooled with refrigerant by the cooling plate 26. The cooling capacity of the cooling plate 26 can be adjusted, for example, by arbitrarily setting the subcapillary tube 35.
It can be freely adjusted regardless of the size of the cooling plate 26.

Therefore, from these things, in the air conditioner 21,
It is possible to sufficiently cool the electrical component 9a, and the cooling plate 2
6 and the electrical component cover 30, and the air conditioner 21 can be downsized.

Furthermore, since the electrical components 9a can be sufficiently cooled without causing the cooling plate 26 to protrude significantly into the ventilation path 11, the ventilation path 11 becomes large and the ventilation resistance becomes small. Therefore, a sufficient amount of air can be secured using a small indoor blower and a small capacity blower motor. Therefore, this also allows the air conditioner 21 to be downsized.

Further, since the electrical component 9a is airtightly covered by the electrical component cover 30, the inverter device and surrounding electrical components can be isolated from the air in the machine room 3, and the adhesion of dirt and dust can be prevented. Further, it is possible to prevent troubles in electrical components such as the inverter device caused by adhesion of dirt and dust.

Moreover, since the electrical component cover 30 is incorporated into the refrigeration cycle and the temperature of the electrical component cover 30 is lowered when the temperature inside the electrical component cover 30 reaches a predetermined value, the electrical component cover 30 is lowered in temperature.
Even if it is covered with the electrical component cover 30, the electrical component cover 30
The temperature of the internal space and the electrical component 9a is not increased excessively.

Furthermore, since the cooling plate 26 is disposed so as to face the ventilation passage 11, the cooling plate 26 can be used for heat exchange of the air in the vehicle interior. For example, when a large amount of heat is temporarily required, such as when starting up operations in winter,
It is possible to use the cooling plate 26 as a heater to assist in raising the temperature of the air flowing through the ventilation path 11.

Note that the present invention can be modified without departing from the spirit thereof.

For example, it is possible to configure the air conditioner as shown in FIG. That is, a thermostat 41 that operates according to the temperature of the cooling plate 26 is attached to the inner surface of the cooling plate 26 .

Further, the cooling plate heat exchanger 28 and the electrical component cover heat exchanger 31 are connected in series, with the cooling plate heat exchanger 28 being located on the upstream side of the refrigerant. The side heat exchangers 28.31 are connected to the refrigeration cycle via self-sealing couplings 29.32.32, and can be attached and detached separately or together.

In addition, the above self-sealing coupling 29.32.32
are arranged at a location on the refrigerant upstream side of the cooling plate heat exchanger 28, a location between the side heat exchangers 28 and 31, and a location on the refrigerant downstream side of the electrical component cover heat exchanger 31. ing. Further, an electromagnetic on-off valve 42 is provided between the cooling plate heat exchanger 28 and a self-sealing coupling 29 disposed on the refrigerant upstream side of the cooling plate heat exchanger 28.
is provided.

When the cooling plate 26 reaches a predetermined temperature, the thermostat 4
1 is turned off, the electromagnetic on-off valve 42 opens, and the cooling plate heat exchanger 28 and the electrical component cover heat exchanger 31 act to cool the electrical component 9a.

On the other hand, in FIG. 9, the circulation of the refrigerant is not regulated, and during operation of the refrigeration cycle, the cooling plate heat exchanger 28 and the electrical component cover heat exchanger 31 always operate, and the electrical component 9
a is cooled.

Moreover, 43 is a check valve for preventing refrigerant from flowing into each heat exchanger 31.28 during heating operation.

In the above embodiment, the cooling device for the electrical component box, which is composed of the heat exchanger for the cooling plate and the heat exchanger for the electrical component cover, constitutes a part of the evaporator of the refrigeration cycle, and directly supplies the refrigerant. However, it is configured with a heat pipe that is independent of the refrigeration cycle, and is placed in a heat exchange manner with the part that acts as an evaporator, such as an indoor heat exchanger that makes up the refrigeration cycle, to perform cooling. But that's fine.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention allows electrical components including an inverter device to be cooled without interfering with the flow of air in the vehicle interior, and also enables air conditioners to be made smaller and lighter by covering the electrical components with an electrical component cover. This has the effect of improving dust resistance and electrical components.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 to 7 show one embodiment of the present invention.
The figure is a plan view, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line D-D in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a partially broken main part, and FIG. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the electrical component cover, Figure 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the surroundings of the cooling plate and the electrical component cover, Figure 7 is a circuit diagram showing the refrigeration cycle, and Figures 8 and 9 are both modified. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example, and is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the main part of a conventional example. 2... Indoor unit section, 3... Machine room, 5...
Suction port, 6... Indoor heat exchanger, 9a... Electrical component, 11... Suction side ventilation path, 21... Vehicle air conditioner, 22... Outdoor heat exchanger, 24・・・Partition plate, 2
5... Air outlet, 26... Cooling plate, 28... Cooling plate heat exchanger, 29.32... Self-seal coupling, 30... Electrical component cover 31... Electrical component cover heat exchanger, 34...main capillary tube (expansion device), 33...four-way switching valve.

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A refrigeration cycle in which a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an outdoor heat exchanger are sequentially connected via piping, and a ventilation duct with an inlet and an outlet opened to communicate with the passenger compartment. an indoor unit section equipped with the indoor heat exchanger and an indoor blower, and a machine room adjacent to the suction side ventilation path of the indoor unit section that houses electrical components such as an inverter device for controlling compressor operation. In a vehicle air conditioner comprising:
an electrical parts box that sealsly stores the electrical parts therein;
The outside surface is exposed to the suction side ventilation path of the indoor unit part that forms part of this electrical component box and is partitioned from the machine room by a partition plate, and the electrical components are thermally fixed to the inside surface. What is claimed is: 1. A vehicle air conditioner comprising: a cooling plate; and a cooling device formed on the cooling plate to cool the cooling plate using the refrigeration cycle. (2) A heat pump refrigeration cycle in which a compressor, a four-way switching valve, an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, an outdoor heat exchanger, etc. are sequentially connected via piping, and the inlet and outlet are communicated with the vehicle interior. An indoor unit section that is open and equipped with the indoor heat exchanger and an indoor blower in the ventilation duct, and an electrical equipment such as an inverter device for controlling compressor operation that is adjacent to the suction side ventilation duct of the indoor unit section. In an air conditioner for a vehicle, the vehicle air conditioner is equipped with a machine room in which parts are stored, and an electrical parts box in which the electrical parts are hermetically stored; Utilizes a cooling plate whose outer surface is exposed to the suction side air passage of the indoor unit section configured as a partition and on which the electrical components are thermally fixed to the inner surface, and the refrigeration cycle formed on the cooling plate. 1. A vehicle air conditioner comprising: a cooling device that cools the cooling device; and a control device that stops cooling the cooling device during heating operation. (3) The electrical component box is configured with an electrical component cover that covers the electrical components on the inside of the machine room, and is equipped with a cooling device that cools the electrical component cover using a refrigeration cycle. The vehicle air conditioner described in (1) or (2). (4) The cooling device for the cooling plate of the electrical parts box and the cooling device for cooling the electrical component cover are composed of a cooling plate heat exchanger and an electrical component cover heat exchanger that constitute the evaporator of the refrigeration cycle. 4. The air conditioner for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the heat exchanger is detachably connected to the refrigeration cycle by interposing self-seal couplings at the inlet and outlet sides of the heat exchanger.