JPH10175424A - Air conditioner for open cabin - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To consider influence of outdoor environment such as rain or water at washing a car by forming an air flow passage into a nearly U-shape so as to be folded back on the lower side in a state of positioning a suction port and a blow-off port on the upper side of an air conditioning casing, and positioning an evaporator below the blow-off port. SOLUTION: Under the condition in which a suction port 2 and a blow-off port 3 are positioned on the upper side of an air conditioning casing 1, an air flow passage 7 is formed into a nearly U-shape so as to be folded back on the lower side, and hence rain water and the like entering from the suction port 2 or the blow-off port 3 into the air flow passage 7 are stayed in the U-shaped bottom part. An evaporator 8 is positioned below the blow-off port 3, and hence air to be cooled by the evaporator 8 are communicated from the lower part to the upper part. As a result, rain water and the like stayed in the bottom part can be prevented from flowing out from the suction port 2 or the blow-off port 3 due to back flow, or from discharging toward an operator together with cold air blowing off from the blow-off port 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner used for a construction machine such as a shovel car or a bulldozer, in which an operator (operator) of the construction machine sits in an open space (a roof or a wall). This is effective when used in a so-called open cabin provided in a space that is not partitioned into two.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an air conditioner for an open cabin, as described in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 6-50916, air is cooled using heat of vaporization of water, and the cooled cold air is directed to an operator. What is blown out is proposed.

[0003]

The open cabin air conditioner described in the above publication cannot sufficiently evaporate water in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, and can sufficiently cool the air. Since it is not possible, the operator cannot be given a sufficient cool air feeling. Therefore,
In order to give the operator a sufficient feeling of cool air even in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, it is necessary to cool the air with an evaporator (evaporator) of a normal refrigeration cycle using a refrigerant such as Freon.

However, unlike an air conditioner for an ordinary vehicle, an open cabin type construction machine is directly affected by an outdoor environment such as rain and water at the time of car washing since an operator sits in an open space. . Therefore, in particular, it is necessary to consider the outdoor environment when arranging the air conditioner near the part where the operator sits, such as the evaporator, so that the same arrangement as the general vehicle air conditioner is directly applied. Can not do it.

In view of the above, the present invention relates to an air conditioner for an open cabin having an evaporator of a refrigeration cycle,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device that considers the influence of an outdoor environment such as rain and water during car washing.

[0006]

The present invention uses the following technical means to achieve the above object. Claim 1
According to the invention described in Item 4, first, the air flow path (7) is
The suction port (2) and the air outlet (3) are formed in a substantially U-shape so as to be folded back on the lower side in a state where they are located on the upper side of the air conditioning casing (1). Second, the evaporator (8) is located below the outlet (3).

According to the first feature, rainwater or the like that has entered the air flow path (7) from the intake port (2) or the air outlet (3) is
Collect at the bottom of the letter. Therefore, the rainwater or the like accumulated at the U-shaped bottom flows backward and the inlet (2) or the outlet (3)
Can be prevented from flowing out. Also, the second
According to the feature described above, the air cooled in the evaporator (8) flows upward from below. Therefore, U
It is possible to prevent rainwater or the like accumulated at the bottom of the character from being discharged to the operator together with the cool air blown out from the outlet (3).

Further, since the air flow path (7) is formed in a substantially U-shape, the air-conditioning casing (1) is formed in comparison with the air flow path (7) having an I-shape (linear). ) Can be made smaller overall. According to the second aspect of the invention, below the evaporator (8) in the air flow path (7),
A communication hole (9) for communicating the inside of the air flow path (7) with the outside of the air conditioning casing (1) is formed.

This makes it possible to quickly drain rainwater or the like accumulated at the U-shaped bottom to the outside of the air-conditioning casing (1). In the invention according to claim 3, the suction port (2) is
It is characterized in that it is opened substantially in the horizontal direction or downward from the substantially horizontal direction. This can prevent rain falling from above from entering the air flow path 7 from the inlet (2). Therefore, accumulation of rainwater or the like at the U-shaped bottom can be further suppressed.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a space (11) is formed in which a part of the air flow path (7) is expanded downward from the mainstream air flowing toward the outlet (3),
A turning wall () is provided which turns a part of the mainstream air toward the opposite side to the mainstream air and causes the turned air to flow along the lower inner wall surface (11 a) of the space (11). And

[0011] Thereby, the diverted air diverted by the diverting wall (11b) flows toward the side opposite to the mainstream air, so that it enters the air flow path (7) from the outlet port (3) and moves downward. Rainwater, dust, garbage, etc. collected on the wall (11a)
The air flows downstream with the diverted air. Therefore, it is possible to prevent rainwater, dust, dust and the like accumulated on the lower inner wall surface (11a) from falling down on the operator from the outlet (3) together with the mainstream air.

The reference numerals in parentheses of the above means indicate the correspondence with specific means described in the embodiments described later.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) In this embodiment, an open cabin air conditioner according to the present invention is applied to a construction machine such as a shovel car. FIG. 1 shows an open cabin air conditioner according to the present embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the air conditioning unit 100.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an air-conditioning casing made of a resin such as polypropylene which is excellent in moldability. The air-conditioning casing 1 is opened above the air-conditioning casing 1 so as to open substantially horizontally. A suction port 2 for sucking into the inside, and a suction port 2
And an air outlet 3 for blowing out the air taken in from outside the air conditioning casing 1. In addition, the outlet 3 is an outlet grill 3a for turning air blown from the outlet 3.
And open upward.

[0015] A centrifugal blower 4 for blowing air taken in from the rotation axis direction in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis is provided in a portion of the air-conditioning casing 1 where the suction port 2 is formed. . 4a is a centrifugal blower fan of the centrifugal blower 4, and 4b is an electric motor for rotating and driving the centrifugal blower fan 4a. A filter 5 for removing dust in the air is provided between the suction port 2 and the centrifugal blower 4, and a filter 5 having a predetermined inclination angle is arranged upstream of the filter 5 in the air. An armor window (louver) 6 made of a large number of thin plates is provided.

The air flow path 7 extending from the suction port 2 to the air outlet 3 is formed in a substantially U-shape so as to be folded back below the air-conditioning casing 1, and is formed at the substantially U-shaped bottom. Is provided with an evaporator (evaporator) 8 which is a component of a known refrigeration cycle using chlorofluorocarbon or the like as a refrigerant. And, as shown in FIG.
The air flow path 7 is disposed so as to intersect the air flow on the suction port 2 side (upstream air side) from the turning point in the character-shaped air flow path 7.

Incidentally, components of the refrigeration cycle other than the evaporator 8 (compressor, condenser, etc.) are disposed in an engine room of a construction machine (in this embodiment, a shovel car). A drain hole (communication hole) 9 for communicating the inside of the air flow path 7 with the outside of the air conditioning casing 1 is formed in a U-shaped bottom of the air flow path 7 which is below the evaporator 8. The water collected at the U-shaped bottom from the drain hole 9 is discharged out of the air conditioning casing 1.

Reference numeral 10 denotes an operation panel for instructing the start and stop of the refrigeration cycle and adjusting the amount of air blown by the centrifugal blower 4. The operation of the operation panel 10 is manually performed by an operator. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the air-conditioning unit 100 is assembled to a construction machine (shovel car) 200. The air-conditioning unit 100 is operated by an operator as shown in FIGS. It is arranged on the front side of the seating seat 210 to be seated, at a position (right side in FIG. 2A) displaced from a portion where the operation lever 220 for operating the construction machine 200 and the like are arranged.

Next, the features of this embodiment will be described. The air flow path 7 is formed in a substantially U-shape so that the air inlet 7 and the air outlet 3 are folded below the air-conditioning casing 1 in a state where the air inlet 7 and the air outlet 3 are positioned above the air-conditioning casing 1. Alternatively, rainwater or the like that has entered the air passage 7 from the outlet 3 accumulates at the U-shaped bottom. Therefore, it is possible to prevent rainwater and the like accumulated at the U-shaped bottom from flowing backward and flowing out from the inlet 2 or the outlet 3.

Since the evaporator 8 is located below the outlet 3, the air cooled by the evaporator 8 flows upward from below. Therefore, U
It is possible to prevent the rainwater accumulated at the bottom of the character from being discharged toward the operator together with the cool air blown out from the blowout port 3. Further, since the air flow path 7 is formed in a substantially U-shape, the entire air-conditioning casing 1 can be made smaller as compared with an air flow path 7 having an I-shape (linear shape). . Therefore, it is possible to easily mount the air-conditioning unit 100 even when the space for mounting the air-conditioning unit 100 is scarce like a construction machine.

Further, since the drain hole 9 is formed in the U-shaped bottom, rainwater and the like accumulated in the U-shaped bottom can be quickly discharged to the outside of the air-conditioning casing 1. In addition, since the suction port 2 is opened in a substantially horizontal direction, it is possible to prevent rainwater or the like flowing down from above from entering the air flow path 7. Therefore, accumulation of rainwater or the like at the U-shaped bottom can be further suppressed.

Since water (liquid) has a higher heat transfer coefficient, heat conductivity and specific heat than air (gas), the evaporator 8
When rainwater or the like comes into contact with the refrigerant, the refrigerant in the evaporator 8 mainly removes heat from the rainwater and evaporates. For this reason, if rainwater or the like touches the evaporator 8, the air flowing through the air flow path 7 cannot be sufficiently cooled, and the cooling capacity is reduced.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the suction port 2
Is opened substantially in the horizontal direction, and the centrifugal blower 4 is arranged on the suction port 2 side. It becomes difficult to enter. And since the evaporator 8 is arrange | positioned at the suction port 2 side (air upstream side) from a turning point in the substantially U-shaped air flow path 7, the air outlet 3 side (air downstream side) from a turning point. ), Compared with the case where the evaporator 8 is disposed,
The chance of touching rainwater or the like that has entered the interior is reduced, and a decrease in cooling capacity can be prevented.

Since the evaporator 8 is disposed so as to intersect with the air flow, the cross-sectional area of the core of the evaporator 8 can be made larger than the cross-sectional area of the air flow path 7. Therefore, the cooling capacity of the air flowing through the air flow path 7 can be increased while preventing the air conditioning casing 1 from being enlarged. Further, since the evaporator 8 is disposed so as to intersect with the air flow, the rainwater and the condensed water that have touched the evaporator 8 flow downward along the wall surface of the evaporator 8, so that the air Rainwater or the like that has entered the flow path 7 can be quickly discharged out of the air conditioning casing 1.

Further, in this embodiment, since the centrifugal blower 4 is used as a blowing means, rainwater and the like entering from the suction port 2 are turned together with the blast air in a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent rainwater or the like from falling on the electric motor 4b as compared with an axial fan that blows air in the direction of the rotation axis. (Second Embodiment) In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, in the vicinity of the portion where the outlet 3 is formed, and in the portion deviated downward from the mainstream air flowing toward the outlet 3, A predetermined space (chamber) 11 is formed by enlarging a part of the air flow path 7.
Is formed.

On the forward side of the mainstream air flow in the space 11, a part of the mainstream air is turned in the opposite direction to the mainstream air, and the turned air is turned downward in the lower side of the space 11. Turning wall 11 flowing along inner wall surface 11a
b is formed. Further, the outlet 3 is opened upward so as to face the lower inner wall surface 11a. Reference numeral 12 denotes a drain hole for draining rainwater or the like.

As a result, the diverted air diverted by the diverting wall 11b flows toward the side opposite to the mainstream air, so that it enters the air flow path 7 (space 11) from the outlet 3 and enters the lower inner wall 11a. The rainwater and the like accumulated in the air flow toward the downstream side of the air flow together with the diverted air. Therefore, it is possible to prevent rainwater, dust, dust and the like accumulated on the lower inner wall surface 11a from falling down on the operator from the outlet 3 together with the mainstream air.

By the way, since the space 11 is expanded below the flow of the mainstream air, the diverted air flows along the lower inner wall surface 11a and then collides with the opposing wall 11c facing the diverted wall 11b. Then, it turns upward so as to join the mainstream air (see the arrow in the space 11 in FIG. 3). Therefore, when the diverted air turns upward on the opposing wall 11c, relatively large debris or the like accumulates at the connection portion A between the opposing wall 11c and the lower inner wall surface 11a. It is possible to reliably prevent the operator from descending from the outlet 3 together with the mainstream air.

In this embodiment, the space 11 is formed integrally with the air-conditioning casing 1. However, when the air outlet 3 and the air-conditioning casing 1 are connected by a bellows-shaped duct 13, the air flow path 7 is formed. As shown in FIG.
It is desirable to form the space 11 on the tip side of the duct 13 in which is formed. By the way, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the suction port 2 is opened substantially in the horizontal direction, but the suction port 2 may be opened downward from the substantially horizontal direction.

In the above-described embodiment, the air conditioner for an open cabin according to the present invention is applied to a construction machine. However, the present invention is not limited to the construction machine and its application is not limited to a construction machine. It is also applicable to cabin type vehicles.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an air-conditioning unit according to a first embodiment, and FIG.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the air conditioning unit is mounted on a construction machine.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an air conditioning unit according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an air conditioning unit according to a modification.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Air-conditioning casing, 2 ... Inlet, 3 ... Outlet, 4 ... Centrifugal blower, 5 ... Filter, 6 ... Armor window (louver), 7 ...
Air flow path, 8 evaporator, 9 drain hole (communication hole), 11
... space, 11a ... turning wall.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An air conditioner for an open cabin applied to an open cabin type vehicle having an open driver's seat, comprising: an air conditioning casing (1); A suction port (2) for suctioning into the casing (1); and an air-conditioning casing (1) formed in the air-conditioning casing (1) and configured to supply air sucked from the suction port (2).
An air outlet (3) that blows out, and a refrigeration cycle disposed in the air conditioning casing (1) in the middle of an air flow path (7) from the air inlet (2) to the air outlet (3). The air flow path (7) has a lower side with the suction port (2) and the air outlet (3) positioned above the air conditioning casing (1). The evaporator (8) is located below the outlet (3), and the evaporator (8) is located below the outlet (3). . 2. A communication hole (9) below the evaporator (8) in the air flow path (7) for communicating the inside of the air flow path (7) with the outside of the air conditioning casing (1). The air conditioner for an open cabin according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner is formed. 3. A centrifugal blower (4) that blows air taken in from a rotation axis direction in a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis in a portion of the air conditioning casing (1) where the suction port (2) is formed. 3. The open cabin according to claim 1, wherein the suction port (2) is further opened in a substantially horizontal direction or a lower side than the substantially horizontal direction. Air conditioner. 4. The air flow path (7) is formed on the downstream side of the air flow, and flows a part of the air flow path (7) downward from the main flow air flowing toward the air outlet (3). An enlarged space (11), formed on the inner wall of the space (11), deflecting a part of the mainstream air toward the opposite side to the mainstream air, and converting the diverted air to the space (11). ), And a turning wall () that flows along the lower inner wall surface (11 a) located on the lower side of), and the outlet (3) is on the upper side so as to face the lower inner wall surface (11 a). The air conditioner for an open cabin according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air conditioner is open toward the vehicle.