JPH10297271A - Draining structure of air conditioner for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a draining structure of an air conditioner for automobile which prevents the intrusion of dripped water from the evaporator and prevents scattering of drain water to a heater core, etc., even when a vehicle is inclined. SOLUTION: Drain water drips from an evaporator 11 is collected and discharged by a first drain collection part S1 and a second drain collection part S2, a space part is provided in a side part of the evaporator 11, and a partition wall 21 is provided therein. A dead end part F which prevents the drain water collected in a drain collection part S from moving onto a heater core 15 side is formed to prevent the reduction of the performance of the evaporator 11 and a heater core 15 based on the drain water.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a drain drain structure for an air conditioner for a vehicle, which prevents deterioration of the performance of an evaporator or a heater core due to drain water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recent air conditioners for automobiles have a so-called integral type in which an evaporator and a heater core are housed vertically in one unit case due to space restrictions of being installed in a small cabin. Things have been suggested.

[0003] In the unit case of the air conditioner for an integrated vehicle, a drain reservoir for collecting drain water dropped from the evaporator is formed below the evaporator, and the bottom of the unit case of the drain reservoir is inclined. As a result, drain water is discharged from the lowest drain hole to the outside of the vehicle.

[0004]

However, since the size of the integrated type is reduced not only in the lateral direction as the vehicle width direction but also in the vertical direction, the depth of the drain reservoir is small. If the vehicle is tilted while the drain water is stored in the drain storage part, a part of the evaporator may be immersed in the stored drain water and the drain water may be frozen, and the performance of the evaporator may be reduced. There is.

Further, when the vehicle is inclined, the drain water stored near the inlet of the drain pipe also oscillates and scatters, splashes on the heater core and the like, and the performance of the heater core and the like may be reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art, and has been made to prevent the evaporator from being immersed in the drain water and the drain water from scattering to the heater core even when the vehicle is inclined. An object of the present invention is to provide a drain drain structure for an air conditioner for a vehicle.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drain storage portion for collecting drain water dropped from an evaporator and discharging the drain water to the outside, and the drain storage portion is provided above the evaporator. In a vehicle air conditioner having a unit case in which a heater core is installed relatively close to the air conditioner, a space is provided between the unit case and the inclined end of the evaporator, which is provided to be inclined slightly downward from a horizontal state. And a partition wall is provided in the space to form a blind alley for preventing the drain water stored in the drain storage part from moving toward the heater core.

[0008] With this configuration, when the drain water stored in the drain storage section is going to move to the heater core side,
When the movement is slight, the movement only occurs in the space, and when the movement is large, the movement is prevented by the dead end. In particular, even if the vehicle moves when the vehicle is tilted sideways, the presence of the space can reliably prevent the drain water from scattering to the heater core, etc., without lowering the performance of the heater core, and There is less dropping, which also contributes to the prevention of freezing of the evaporator.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the partition wall is provided so as to be inclined upward from the inclined end of the evaporator toward the unit case.

With this configuration, the air that has passed through the evaporator can be smoothly guided to the mix door.
The ventilation resistance can be reduced, and moreover, the space in the dead end can be increased.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the partition wall extends from the inclined end of the evaporator toward a tip end of a guide wall protruding from the unit case so as to partition between the evaporator and the heater core. It is characterized in that it is provided in an inclined manner and the tip is connected to the guide wall.

With this configuration, the air that has passed through the evaporator can be more smoothly guided to the mix door side, the air flow state can be improved, the space in the dead end can be further increased, and the water retention performance can be improved. I do.

[0013] In the invention described in claim 4, the drain storage section has a first drain storage section and a second drain storage section in which drain water dropped from the evaporator is stored, and the first drain storage section is provided. A protrusion is provided between the first drain storage part and the second drain storage part, the protrusion for restricting the movement of the drain water from the one drain storage part to the other drain storage part.

[0014] According to this structure, the movement of the drain water between the first drain storage section and the second drain storage section by the projection for restricting the movement of the drain water to the first and second drain storage sections is prevented. No drain water is supplied to the first drain reservoir and the second drain reservoir.
It can be stored and drained separately with the drain storage section,
The amount of drain water collected in one drain storage part can be reduced, and even if the vehicle is tilted, the evaporator is less likely to be flooded, and the performance of the evaporator can be prevented from deteriorating due to freezing of the drain water in the evaporator.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the unit case is connected to the intake unit for selectively taking in the inside and outside air on the lateral side of the vehicle, and the first drain storage portion is provided on the side close to the intake unit. A second drain reservoir is disposed on a far side, and the second drain reservoir is located lower than the first drain reservoir.

As described above, the drain reservoir is provided on the side closer to and farther from the intake unit, and by forming the dead end portion by the side wall and the partition wall of the second drain reservoir, the evaporator can be used even when the vehicle leans sideways. Of the evaporator to prevent freezing of the evaporator and the like, and the vehicle is inclined by the dead end portion of the second drain storage portion farther from the intake unit (that is, closer to the heater core or the like) and the drain water swings. Even in this case, it is possible to reliably prevent the drain water from scattering on the heater core and the like, and the performance of the heater core and the like is not reduced.

Further, when the air taken in from the intake unit is cooled by the evaporator, the evaporator is provided so as to be inclined downward along the flow direction of the air.
In this case, the downward inclined end of the evaporator, which has a large amount of drain water to be dropped, is separated from the drain storage portion, so that the evaporator is prevented from being flooded and the effect of preventing the evaporator from freezing is further enhanced.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an air conditioner for a vehicle to which a drain drain structure of an air conditioner for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a first drain storage unit shown in FIG. is there.

In FIG. 1, an intake unit 1 for selectively taking in inside and outside air is provided with an outside air intake 2 and an inside air intake 3, and these intakes 2 and 3 are provided rotatably. It can be selectively switched by the intake door 4.

The blower fan 5 disposed below the intake door 4 is driven by a fan motor 6. The fan motor 6 is communicated with the inside of the fan scroll 8 by a bellows-like pipe 7. A part of the airflow flowing through the inside is taken out, and the fan motor 6 is cooled.

The intake unit 1 communicates with a unit case 10 which is an air conditioner main body via a duct 9. The air inlet of the unit case 10 is provided below the intake unit 1. As a result, the structure is such that drain water is difficult to flow backward to the blower fan 5 and the like.

An evaporator 11 for cooling the air is arranged below the unit case 10 so as to be inclined downward in the flow direction of the air, and the air sent from the intake unit 1 is sent from the lower side of the evaporator to the upper side. It is made to flow toward.

If the evaporator 11 is arranged to be inclined downward as described above, the intake unit 1 can be installed in a small space.
When the air taken in from is cooled by the evaporator 11, the air taken in hits the entire evaporator 11 and is more easily cooled.

In particular, when the evaporator 11 and the heater core 15 are arranged one above the other in order to reduce the size in the vertical direction as in a so-called integrated type air conditioner for a vehicle, the evaporator 11 may be arranged to be inclined downward. Therefore, the air flow can flow smoothly, and the heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator 11 can be increased. Note that reference numerals “12” and “13” in the figure
Is a support wall for supporting the evaporator 11.

Above the evaporator 11, the air flowing upward from the evaporator 11 is branched into the heater core 15 and the bypass passage 16 that bypasses the heater core 15, and the cool air cooled by the evaporator 11 and the temperature heated by the heater core 15. A mix door 14 for adjusting the ratio with the wind is provided.

In the upper part of the unit case 10, a vent door 17d for opening and closing a vent outlet 17 for mainly blowing out cool air, and a differential door for opening and closing a defrost outlet 18 mainly for blowing out hot air for clearing fogging of windows. 18d and a foot door 19d for opening and closing a foot outlet (not shown) for mainly blowing warm air under the feet of the occupant are provided.

The various doors 17d, 18d, 1
9d opens and closes appropriately according to a mode designated by a control device (not shown), blows predetermined air into the vehicle interior from each of the air outlets 17, 18 and the like, and regulates the temperature of the vehicle interior. After being introduced into the unit case 10 from the duct 7 and cooled by the evaporator 11, the mixture is branched into the heater core 15 side and the bypass passage 16 side by the mixing door 14 to form a cool air and a warm air, and the temperature is adjusted to a predetermined temperature by mixing. Things are used.

On the bottom surface of the unit case 10, a drain storage section S for storing and draining drain water dropped from the evaporator 11 is provided.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the drain storage section S is composed of a first drain storage section S1 closer to the intake unit 1 and a second drain storage section S2 farther from the intake unit 1. , The first drain reservoir S1
A protrusion 20 for restricting the movement of drain water from one drain storage part to the other drain storage part is provided between the second drain storage part S2 and the second drain storage part S2. In addition, each drain storage part S1,
S2 is provided with a drain hole O for discharging the stored drain water out of the vehicle.

As described above, since the drain storage portions are provided on the side near and far from the intake unit 1 to store and drain the drain water, the drain water can be individually stored and drained. , One of the drain reservoirs S1, S2
The amount of drain water collected in the area can be reduced.

Therefore, even if the vehicle is tilted while drain water is stored in the drain storage section S, it is possible to prevent a part of the evaporator 11 from being flooded and prevent the evaporator 11 from freezing. Evaporator 1
1 is prevented from deteriorating.

In addition, not only can the level of the drain water stored in each of the drain storage sections S1 and S2 be lowered, but also the projection 20 for restricting the movement of the drain water is provided, so that the vehicle is inclined and the drain is inclined. Even if the water oscillates, the scattering of the drain water can be minimized, and the heater core 15
Can be prevented.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 2, the inclined end of the evaporator 11 which is provided slightly inclined downward from the horizontal state is provided between the inclined end of the evaporator 11 and the side wall 10a of the unit case 10. A space A is formed, and this space A
Is covered by a partition wall 21 to form a blind alley portion F. In other words, the dead end F is formed by dividing the space A into a side wall 10 a of the unit case 10, a partition wall 21 provided between the side wall 10 a and the support wall 13 of the evaporator 11, and an evaporator 11. It is formed by partitioning with a guide wall 22 provided between the heater core 15 and the heater core 15.

As described above, the upper portion of the second drain storage portion S2 farther from the intake unit 1 (ie, closer to the heater core 15 and the like) is closed to form a dead end path.
When the partition wall 21 is provided, when a large amount of drain water is stored in the first drain storage portion S1 and the second drain storage portion S2, the vehicle tilts, and a large amount of drain water in the first drain storage portion S1 protrudes. Even if it swings greatly together with the drain water stored in the second drain storage section S2 beyond the section 20, the drain water is prevented from moving by the partition wall 21 and the drain storage section S2 is prevented from moving.
When the drain water scatters to the heater core 15 or when the vehicle tilts sideways, it is possible to reliably prevent the drain water from moving to the heater core or the like, and to prevent the performance of the heater core 15 from deteriorating due to the drain water. become.

Further, by forming the space A here, the influence of the movement of the drain water on the performance of the heater core and the evaporator is reduced. In other words, when the drain water slightly moves, it only moves in the space A. When the drain water moves greatly, this movement is blocked by the space A and the dead end F, and the drain water is removed. The function of minimizing the situation of getting down on the heater core and the evaporator is exhibited, and the influence of the movement of the drain water on the performance of the heater core and the evaporator is reduced.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, when the partition wall 21 is inclined upward from the inclined end of the evaporator 11 toward the unit case 10, the air passing through the evaporator 11 is smoothly moved to the mix door 14 side. It can be guided, the ventilation resistance can be reduced, and the space of the dead end F can be increased.

Conversely, the partition wall 21 is inclined from the inclined end of the evaporator 11 toward the distal end of the guide wall 22 (the proximal end of the mix door 14) as shown by a broken line in FIG. In other words, if it extends toward the protruding portion 22a of the guide wall 22 provided on the upper portion of the evaporator 11, and the tip is integrally connected to the protruding portion 22a, the air passing through the evaporator 11 can be smoothed. Can be guided to the mix door 14 side, the air flow state is improved, the space of the dead end F can be further increased, and the water retention performance is improved.

More preferably, the second drain reservoir S2
Is located lower than the first drain storage section S1.

In general, when the air taken in from the intake unit 1 is cooled by the evaporator 11, the evaporator 11 is inclined downward in the flow direction of the air.
However, according to the above description, the downward inclined end of the evaporator 11 having a large amount of drain water to be dropped is connected to the drain storage section S2.
Since it can be set at a position away from the evaporator 11, the evaporator 11 can be prevented from being flooded, and the effect of preventing the evaporator from freezing can be further enhanced.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the above-described embodiment is an integrated vehicle air conditioner having a small vertical dimension, but the present invention is not limited to this, and is applied to a normal vehicle air conditioner. be able to.

[0041]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, even if the drain water stored in the drain storage section attempts to move toward the heater core, the movement is prevented by the space and the dead end. Even when the vehicle is tilted sideways, it is possible to reliably prevent the drain water from scattering on the heater core and the like,
The performance of the evaporator and the heater core is not reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the partition wall is inclined toward the unit case, the air passing through the evaporator can be smoothly guided to the mix door side.
The ventilation resistance can be reduced, and moreover, the space in the dead end can be increased.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the partition wall is inclined toward the tip end of the guide wall, the air that has passed through the evaporator can be more smoothly guided to the mix door side, and the air flow state can be reduced. And the space in the dead end can be further increased, and the water retention performance is improved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the protrusion between the first and second drain reservoirs prevents the drain water from swaying even when the vehicle is tilted sideways. It is possible to prevent the performance of the heater core and the like from deteriorating.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the downward inclined end of the evaporator, which has a large amount of drain water to be dropped, is separated from the drain storage portion, so that the evaporator is prevented from being flooded and the evaporator is more effectively prevented from freezing. . In addition, the amount of drain water collected in one drain reservoir can be reduced, and even when the vehicle is tilted, the evaporator can be prevented from being flooded and freezing of the evaporator can be prevented, and the performance of the heater core deteriorated due to the drain water. Can also be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a first drain reservoir shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Intake unit, 10 ... Unit case, 11 ... Evaporator, 15 ... Heater core, 20 ... Projection part, 21 ... Partition wall, 22 ... Guide wall, A ... Space part, F ... Dead-path, S ... Drain storage part, S1 ... first drain reservoir, S2 ... second drain reservoir.

Claims (5)

[Claims] A drain reservoir (S) for collecting drain water dropped from an evaporator (11) and discharging the drain water to the outside is formed at a lower portion, and a heater core (15) is relatively close to and above the evaporator (11). In the automotive air conditioner having the installed unit case (10), a space is provided between the unit case (10) and the inclined end of the evaporator (11) provided slightly inclining from the horizontal state. A part (A) is formed and a partition wall (21) is provided in the space part (A) to prevent the drain water stored in the drain storage part (S) from moving toward the heater core (15). A drain drain structure for an air conditioner for an automobile, wherein a blind lane part (F) is formed. 2. The partition wall (21) is connected to the evaporator (1).
The drain drain structure of an air conditioner for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the drain end structure is provided so as to be inclined upward from the inclined end of (1) toward the unit case (10). 3. The partition wall (21) is provided with the evaporator (1).
From the inclined end of 1), the evaporator (11) and the heater core
(15) so as to be inclined toward the tip end of the guide wall (22) projecting from the unit case (10) so as to partition between the guide wall (22) and the tip end to be connected to the guide wall (22). The drain drainage structure for a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The drain storage section (S) has a first drain storage section (S1) and a second drain storage section (S2) in which drain water dropped from the evaporator (11) is stored. A projection (20) is provided between the first drain storage section (S1) and the second drain storage section (S2) to regulate the movement of drain water from one drain storage section to the other drain storage section. The drain drainage structure for a vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: 5. The intake unit (1), wherein the unit case (10) selectively takes in inside and outside air to the side in the vehicle width direction.
Are connected, the first drain reservoir (S1) is located closer to the intake unit (1), and the second drain reservoir (S2) is located farther from the intake unit (1).
The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the second drain reservoir (S2) is located lower than the first drain reservoir (S1). Drain drain structure of equipment.