KR20120015809A - Air conditioner for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An air conditioner for a vehicle is provided to reduce weight and material costs of an air conditioner because a cooling water storage tank is installed in the lower side of a heater core and an opening is formed in one side of an accommodating part accommodating the storage tank. CONSTITUTION: An air conditioner for a vehicle comprises an air conditioning case(110) having an air inlet(111) and multiple air outlets, an evaporator(101), a heater core(102), and a flow rate control valve(120). A cooling water storage tank(140) is installed in the lower side of the heater core in an air flow direction of the inside of the air conditioning case. The cooling water storage tank communicating with the heater core through connection pipes(141,142) guides the air passing through the heater core and exchanges heat between thereof. A circulating pump(150) is installed on the connection pipe and circulates cooling water in the cooling water storage tank into the heater core.

Description

Automotive air conditioning unit {AIR CONDITIONER FOR VEHICLE}

The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner, and more particularly, to an air conditioner using a coolant inside a heater core as a heat storage material.

Generally, the air conditioner for a vehicle is an automobile interior which is installed for the purpose of securing the front and rear view of the driver by removing the casting which is to be cooled or heated in the summer or winter season, or in case of rain or windshield during rainy or winter season Such an air conditioner is usually equipped with a heating device and a cooling device at the same time, and selectively introduces outside air or indoor air, and then the air is heated or cooled to blow air into the inside of the vehicle.

According to the independent structure of the blower unit, the evaporator unit, and the heater core unit, the air conditioner includes a three piece type in which the three units are independently provided, and an evaporator unit and the heater core unit in the air conditioning case. The semi-center type, which is built-in and the blower unit is provided as a separate unit, and the center mounting type, in which all three units are built in the air conditioning case, can be roughly classified.

Recently, in order to protect the environment and improve fuel efficiency of a vehicle engine, a vehicle (hybrid vehicle or electric vehicle) that automatically stops the engine (or driving motor) at the time of stopping such as waiting for a traffic signal has been put into practical use.

However, the compressor (not shown) constituting the refrigeration cycle in the air conditioner is generally driven by a vehicle engine (or a driving motor). In the above-described hybrid vehicle or electric vehicle, the compressor is also stopped every time the engine is stopped and the air conditioner is turned off. In this case, the temperature of the cooling evaporator in the summer rises and the temperature of the air discharged into the vehicle interior also rises sharply, resulting in discomfort to the occupants.

A refrigeration air conditioner for solving the above problems has been developed. Referring to FIG. 1, the refrigeration air conditioner 1 is provided with a blower 20 at the inlet side, and a mode door at the outlet side, respectively. 16, an air conditioning case 10 having a defrost vent 12a, a face vent 12b, and a floor vent 12c whose opening degree is controlled, an evaporator 2 and a heater built in the air conditioning case 10; A core 3; It is installed between the evaporator (2) and the heater core (3) and comprises a temperature control door (15) for controlling the temperature by adjusting the mixing amount of cold and hot air.

In addition, a drain portion 30 is formed at the bottom of the air conditioning case 10 below the evaporator 2 to drain the condensed water generated from the evaporator 2 to the outside.

In addition, the inlet and outlet pipes 4 connected to the heater cores 3 are provided with a flow rate control valve 5 for controlling the flow rate of the cooling water supplied to the heater cores 3 and the hot air supplied from the engine in the heating mode. The cooling water is circulated to the heater core 3, and the cooling water is cut off in the cooling mode.

In addition, in the cooling mode, the coolant stagnated inside the heater core 3 is used as the coolant, that is, the cooling mode is the cooler mode, and a part of the cold cool air that has passed through the evaporator 2 is discharged directly into the interior of the vehicle. By passing through the heater core (3) to cool the cooling water (heat-cooling) while the heat exchange with the cooling water in the heater core (3).

In the engine stop mode, the air passing through the stopped evaporator 2 passes through the heater core 3 to exchange heat with cold coolant in the heater core 3, thereby causing the evaporator 2 to stop. Even when stopped, it is possible to supply cool air into the cabin, thereby preventing a sudden temperature change in the cabin for a certain time.

However, the conventional technology has a limitation in increasing the storage capacity and performance because the limited cooling water capacity inside the heater core 3 is used as the coolant, and thus, the effect of the coolant when the engine is stopped for a long time (in-car suddenly Temperature change prevention) could not be sustained, causing a sudden temperature change in the cabin causing discomfort to the occupant.

An object of the present invention for solving the above problems is to store the cooling water to heat exchange while guiding the air passing through the heater core to the air outlet side downstream of the heater core in the air conditioning apparatus using the cooling water inside the heater core as the coolant A tank is provided and an opening is formed at one side of the receiving portion for accommodating the storage tank so that one side of the storage tank is exposed to the rear passageway of the heater core, so that a portion of the partition wall in the air conditioning case is opened by one opening of the receiving portion. Since the weight and material cost are reduced, the air passing through the heater core is directly in contact with the storage tank and heat-exchanged, thereby improving heat storage or heat storage performance, and in addition to the cooling water capacity in the heater core, the cooling water inside the storage tank. Storage capacity (or heat storage) as all the capacity is used as heat storage material (or heat storage material) It is possible to greatly increase the capacity and performance, thereby allowing the vehicle air conditioning system to sustain the effect of the cold storage (or heat storage) (stop rapid temperature change in the interior) for a longer time and prevent the discomfort of the passengers when the engine is stopped. To provide.

The present invention for achieving the above object, the air inlet and the air outlet having a plurality of air outlet, the evaporator and heater core which is sequentially installed in the air flow direction in the interior of the air conditioning case, connected to the heater core And a flow rate control valve installed on the inlet and outlet pipes to control the flow rate of the cooling water supplied to the heater core, wherein the cooling air inside the heater core is used as a coolant. In the downstream side of the heater core, a cooling water storage tank communicating with the air passing through the heater core to the air discharge port side and communicating with the heater core through a connecting pipe is provided, and the cooling water in the cooling water storage tank is provided on the connecting pipe. Characterized in that the circulation pump is installed to circulate the The.

The present invention provides a cooling water storage tank for providing heat exchange while guiding air passing through a heater core to an air discharge port on a downstream side of a heater core in an air conditioning apparatus using cooling water inside a heater core as a coolant. By forming an opening on one side of the receiving portion to expose the one side of the storage tank to the rear passageway of the heater core, a portion of the partition wall in the air conditioning case is deleted to form the opening on one side of the receiving core, thereby reducing weight and material costs. .

In addition, the air passing through the heater core is in direct contact with the storage tank to heat exchange, thereby further improving the cold storage (or heat storage) performance as well as more rapid cold storage.

In addition, by using all of the cooling water capacity in the storage tank as the coolant (or heat storage material) in addition to the cooling water capacity in the heater core, the storage capacity (or heat storage) capacity and performance can be greatly increased, thereby stopping the engine. The effect of cold storage (or heat storage) (preventing drastic temperature changes in the cabin) can be maintained for a longer time and the discomfort of the occupants is also prevented.

In addition, by forming an auxiliary drain portion in the lower air conditioning case downstream of the heater core to drain the condensed water generated in the heater core and the storage tank to the outside, to facilitate the drainage of the condensed water to prevent odor caused by the condensed water and In addition, condensate can be scattered into the vehicle interior and prevents it from becoming wet, thereby preventing the discomfort of the occupants.

And, by forming a fin member in the air flow direction on one side of the cooling water storage tank facing the heater core, when the air passing through the heater core is guided along one side of the cooling water storage tank, in the air flow direction The fin member is formed so that the air flows uniformly without being eccentric to one side, thereby reducing the left and right temperature deviations of the air discharged from the air conditioning case, and the heat exchange area is increased through the fin member to exchange heat with the cooling water storage tank. Is also improved.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional vehicle air conditioner,
2 is a cross-sectional view showing a vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention;
3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a storage tank is connected to a rear side of a flow control heater core in a vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention;
4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cooling mode in the vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention;
5 is a cross-sectional view showing the engine stopped during the cooling mode in the vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention;
6 is a cross-sectional view showing a heating mode in the vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention;
7 is a cross-sectional view showing the engine stopped during the heating mode in the vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention, Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the storage tank is connected to the rear side of the flow control heater core in the vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention, Figure 4 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a cooling mode in the vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the engine stop during the cooling mode in the vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention, Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a heating mode in the vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an engine stop during a heating mode in a vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention.

As shown, the vehicle air conditioner 100 according to the present invention, the air inlet 111 is formed on the inlet side and a plurality of air outlets are formed on the outlet side and the air inlet 111 and a plurality of air therein An air conditioner case 110 having an air passage communicating with the discharge port, and an evaporator 101 and a heater core 102 sequentially installed at predetermined intervals in the air flow direction on the air passage inside the air conditioning case 110. It is configured to include.

In addition, an air inlet 111 of the air conditioning case 110 is provided with a blower (not shown) for blowing inside or outside air.

The plurality of air discharge ports formed at the outlet side of the air conditioning case 110 may include a defrost vent 112a for discharging air toward the windshield of the vehicle and a face vent for discharging air toward the face of the front occupant. 112b and floor vents 112c and 112d for discharging air toward the foot of the occupant are formed.

Here, the floor vents 112c and 112d are branched into a front seat vent 112c and a rear seat vent 112d, and a rear side passage P and the floor vent of the heater core 102 are located. The partition wall 114 is formed between 112c and 112d, and is partitioned.

In addition, the defrost vent 112a, the face vent 112b, and the floor vents 112c and 112d are opened and closed by the mode door 113, respectively.

In the drawings, only the case in which the center pivot type mode door 113 in which the plates on both sides of the rotating shaft are rotated is installed, but various door shapes may be installed.

In addition, the mode doors 113 are connected to a cam (not shown) or a lever (not shown) which is directly driven through an actuator (not shown) installed on the outer surface of the air conditioning case 110 or driven by an actuator, and rotates. In operation, it adjusts the opening of each vent.

In addition, one side of the heater core 102 is provided with a flow control valve 120 for controlling the coolant supplied to the heater core 102, the flow control valve 120 is drawn out of the air conditioning case 110. The inlet and outlet pipes 104b and 104a of the heated heater core 102 and the cooling water line 107 of the engine are installed at the connection portion.

The flow control valve 120 is connected to the inlet and outlet pipes 104b and 104a of the heater core 102 and the cooling water line 107 of the engine in communication with the connection housing 121, the connection housing 121 Installed in the interior of the valve 122 to control the flow rate and the flow of cooling water.

Therefore, in the heating mode, the hot coolant heated and supplied from the engine by opening the inlet and outlet pipes 104b and 104a through the flow control valve 120 is introduced into the heater core 102 through the inlet pipe 104b. The hot coolant introduced into the heater core 102 heats the air passing through the heater core 102 and then returns to the engine through the outlet pipe 104a.

At this time, the flow control valve 120 may adjust the temperature by controlling the flow rate of the cooling water supplied to the heater core 102 through the inlet pipe (104b).

In the cooling mode, by closing the inlet and outlet pipes 104b and 104a through the flow control valve 120, the hot coolant supplied by heating from the engine does not flow into the heater core 102 and bypasses and returns to the engine again. Done. At this time, the cooling water filled in the heater core 102 does not flow but stagnates and is used as a heat storage material.

As such, in the heating mode through the flow control valve 120, the hot water is supplied to the heater core 102 to perform the heating role, and in the cooling mode, the cooling water supplied to the heater core 102 is blocked. The cooling water inside the heater core 102 can be used as a heat storage material.

Meanwhile, the structure of the heater core 102 will be described briefly, between the upper and lower header tanks 103a and 103b spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval, and the upper and lower portions between the upper and lower header tanks 103a and 103b. It consists of a plurality of tubes 105 installed to communicate the header tanks 103a and 103b, and a heat radiation fin 106 provided between the plurality of tubes 105.

In addition, the inlet and outlet pipes 104b and 104a are connected to upper and lower header tanks 103a and 103b of the heater core 102.

In addition, a main drain 170 is formed below the air conditioning case 110 between the evaporator 101 and the heater core 102 to drain the condensed water generated by the evaporator 101 to the outside. A main hose 171 of a predetermined length is connected to the main drain 170 to smoothly drain the condensate drained through the main drain 170 to the outside of the vehicle.

In addition, the heater core 102 is downstream in the air flow direction inside the air conditioning case 110, while conducting heat exchange while guiding air passing through the heater core 102 toward an air discharge port, and connecting the heater core 102. Cooling water storage tank 140 that communicates through the pipes (141, 142) is installed.

As shown in the figure, upper and lower side connection pipes 141 and 142 are formed on upper and lower sides of the cooling water storage tank 140, and the upper connection pipe 141 is an outlet pipe of the heater core 102. It is connected in communication with the 104a, the lower connection pipe 142 is connected in communication with the inlet pipe (104b) of the heater core (102).

In addition, the coolant storage tank 140 is installed to face each other at a predetermined interval on the rear side of the heater core 102 in the air conditioning case 110.

In addition, an accommodating part 115 is formed in the air conditioning case 110 to accommodate the cooling water storage tank 140.

The accommodating part 115 is disposed between the air discharge ports (floor vents 112c and 112d) formed to discharge air toward the passenger's foot among the plurality of air discharge ports and the rear passage P of the heater core 102. Is formed.

In this case, the accommodating part 115 is formed on the partition wall 114 partitioning between the floor vents 112c and 112d and the heater core 102 rear side passage P, that is, the accommodating part ( 115 serves as the partition wall 114.

In addition, the accommodating part 115 is formed in a form surrounding the outer surface of the coolant storage tank 140, in which the accommodating part is formed on one side of the accommodating part 115 facing the heater core 102. An opening 116 is formed such that one side of the coolant storage tank 140 accommodated in the 115 is exposed to the rear side passage P of the heater core 102.

Therefore, the air passing through the heater core 102 is guided along one side of the cooling water storage tank 140 exposed by the opening 116 to flow to the air discharge port side, and the heater core 102 By passing through the air is directly in contact with the cooling water storage tank 140 in the process of being guided along one side of the cooling water storage tank 140, heat storage or heat storage performance is improved.

That is, in the cooling mode (cooling mode), the cool air passing through the evaporator 101 passes through the heater core 102 to cool the cooling water in the heater core 102 and at the same time with the cooling water storage tank 140. Since the direct contact with the storage tank 140 to cool itself, the cooling water in the storage tank 140 is also cooled cold. Therefore, the cooling of the storage can be performed more quickly in the cooling mode (the storage of cooling).

In the engine stop (cooling mode), even though the air conditioner is turned off, the air passing through the evaporator 101 passes through the heater core 102 while being cooled by the cold coolant in the heater core 102 and at the same time the cold coolant is stored. While directly in contact with the tank 140 is cooled again. Therefore, the cooling efficiency can be further improved at engine stop (cooling mode).

In the above description, only the engine stop (cooling mode) in the cooling mode (storage cooling mode) or the cooling mode has been described, but the same effect can be obtained even when the engine is stopped in the heating mode or the heating mode.

On the other hand, the cooling water storage tank 140 is partitioned from the air passage inside the air conditioning case 110 by the receiving portion 115 except for one side exposed by the opening 116.

In addition, by removing a portion of the partition wall in the air conditioning case 110 constituting the receiving portion 115 to form the opening 116, it is possible to reduce the overall weight and material cost.

On the other hand, the air conditioner of the present invention is a heater core 102 having a flow control valve 120, the temperature control door (not shown) installed for temperature control between the evaporator 101 and the heater core (102) C) can be removed, and thus, the cooling water storage tank 140 is installed in the air conditioning case 110 by utilizing the space secured by the deletion of the temperature control door, thereby increasing the size of the air conditioning case 110. Cooling water storage tank 140 may be installed.

In addition, one side of the cooling water storage tank 140 facing the heater core 102, when the heat exchange while guiding the air passing through the heater core 102 to the air discharge port side, to improve the guide and heat exchange performance The pin member 145 is formed to be.

Here, the fin member 145 is formed on one side surface of the cooling water storage tank 140 in a direction parallel to the air flow direction, it is preferably formed a plurality of spaced apart from each other.

Therefore, when the air passing through the heater core 102 is guided along one side surface of the cooling water storage tank 140, the air is not eccentric to one side by the plurality of fin members 145 formed in the air flow direction and is uniform. It is possible to reduce the left and right temperature deviation of the air discharged from the air conditioning case 110, the heat exchange area is increased through the plurality of fin members 145 to improve the heat exchange performance with the cooling water storage tank 140 do.

In addition, a circulation pump 150 for circulating the coolant in the coolant storage tank 140 into the heater core 102 is installed on the connection pipe 142.

Although the circulation pump 150 is installed on the lower connection pipe 142 of the cooling water storage tank 140 in the drawing, it may be installed on the upper connection pipe 141.

In addition, an inlet pipe 104b or outlet pipe 104a of the heater core 102 and a direction control valve 160 for controlling the flow direction of the coolant are installed at a portion where the connection pipe 142 is connected. In the drawing, the directional control valve 160 is installed at a portion where the inlet pipe 104b and the lower connection pipe 142 are connected.

Preferably, the direction control valve 160 uses a 3-way valve.

Therefore, in the heating mode, the direction control valve 160 opens the inlet pipe 104b of the heater core 102 and at the same time partially opens the lower connection pipe 142 of the coolant storage tank 140. Due to the hot coolant supplied through the coolant line 107 of the engine is introduced into the heater core (102) and at the same time some of the hot water is also introduced into the coolant storage tank 140 to circulate while storing the hot coolant in the coolant storage tank 140 ( Heat storage).

When the engine is stopped in the heating mode, the coolant supply through the coolant line 107 of the engine is also stopped. In this case, the direction control valve 160 is connected to the lower connection pipe 142 and the heater core of the coolant storage tank 140. The inlet pipe 104b of the 102 is communicated, and the circulation pump 150 is operated to circulate the hot coolant stored in the coolant storage tank 140 to the heater core 102.

Thus, even if the engine is stopped in the heating mode, the temperature of the air discharged from the air conditioning case 110 is prevented from changing rapidly (falling), thereby preventing discomfort of the occupant.

In addition, the cooling mode is a cold storage mode in which the direction control valve 160 always communicates the lower connection pipe 142 of the cooling water storage tank 140 and the inlet pipe 104b of the heater core 102. In the cooling mode (cooling mode) and the engine stop (cooling mode) in the cooling mode, the direction control valve 160 is connected to the lower connection pipe 142 of the cooling water storage tank 140 and the inlet pipe of the heater core 102. 104b is always in communication.

In the cooling mode (storage cooling mode), the coolant in the heater core 102 is stagnant. At this time, some of the cool air passing through the evaporator 101 passes through the heater core 102 to cool the coolant in the heater core 102. At the same time, the circulation pump 150 operates to circulate the cold coolant in the heater core 102 to the coolant storage tank 140 while storing (cooling) the cold coolant in the coolant storage tank 140. .

In the cooling mode (cooling mode) state in the cooling mode due to the engine stops the operation of the air conditioner, the cold coolant stored in the cooling water storage tank 140 by the circulation pump 150 continues the heater core (102) It will be circulated.

Therefore, since the entire air passing through the evaporator 101 passes through the heater core 102 and is cooled by heat exchange with cold coolant in the heater core 102, even if the engine is stopped in the cooling mode, the air conditioning case 110 is provided. By preventing the temperature of the air discharged from rapidly changing (rising) to prevent the discomfort of the occupants.

In addition, by using all of the cooling water capacity in the cooling water storage tank 140 as the coolant (or heat storage material) in addition to the cooling water capacity in the heater core 102, it is possible to significantly increase the storage capacity (or heat storage) capacity and performance. This makes it possible to sustain the effect (preventing a sudden temperature change in the vehicle interior) for a long time by the cooling (or heat storage) when the engine is stopped.

In addition, a bypass passage 131 is formed in the upper portion of the heater core 102 such that a part of the air passing through the evaporator 101 bypasses the heater core 102 in the air conditioning case 110. In the bypass passage 131, a bypass door 130 is installed to adjust the opening degree.

The bypass door 130 selectively opens and closes the bypass passage 131 according to the condition of the vehicle.

That is, when the bypass passage 131 is opened through the bypass door 130 in the initial cooling mode, some of the air cooled in the evaporator 101 passes through the heater core 102, but some of the bypass passage ( By bypassing the heater core 102 through 131, the maximum cooling speed can be improved.

The bypass door 130 opens the bypass passage 131 only when the engine is in the cooling mode while the engine is running, and the bypass passage when the engine is stopped in the heating mode and the cooling / heating mode while the engine is running. 131 will be closed.

Meanwhile, the bypass door 130 may be configured as a dome type or a center pivot type as shown in FIG. 2.

And, in the cold storage mode (cooling mode) or cooling mode (engine stop), the heater core 102 downstream side to drain the condensate generated in the heater core 102 or the cooling water storage tank 140 to the outside The auxiliary drain part 180 is formed at the bottom of the air conditioning case 110.

That is, in the cold storage mode (cooling mode) or cooling mode (engine stop), since the coolant inside the heater core 102 and the coolant storage cooler 140 is in a cold state, the air passes through the heater core 102 at this time. After being in contact with one side of the cooling water storage tank 140, each of the heat exchange, condensed water is generated on the exposed one side of the heater core 102 and the cooling water storage tank 140, generated in the heater core 102 The condensate falls in the gravity direction (lower direction) and falls to the bottom of the air conditioning case 110 downstream of the heater core 102 along the air flow, and the condensate generated in the coolant storage tank 140 falls in the direction of gravity and the heater core. It is dropped to the bottom of the air conditioning case 110 between the 102 and the coolant storage tank 140.

As such, in the cold storage mode (cooling mode) or the cooling mode (engine stop), the condensate generated on the surfaces of the heater core 102 and the cooling water storage tank 140 and falling to the downstream side of the heater core 102 is smoothly drained. In order to do so, in the present invention, the auxiliary drain portion 180 is formed on the lower portion of the air conditioning case 110 downstream of the heater core 102 separately from the main drain portion 170.

Therefore, it is possible to smoothly drain the condensate generated in the heater core 102 and the cooling water storage tank 140, to prevent the odor caused by the condensate and to prevent the condensate is scattered by the interior of the vehicle, and the damping, This can prevent the discomfort of the occupant.

On the other hand, the auxiliary drain unit 180 is preferably formed under the air conditioning case 110 between the heater core 102 and the cooling water storage tank 140.

In addition, the auxiliary drain unit 180 is coupled to the auxiliary hose 181 of a predetermined length so that the condensed water generated in the heater core 102 and the cooling water storage tank 140 can be smoothly drained to the outside of the vehicle.

The auxiliary hose 181 may include a main coupled to the main drain 170 so that the condensed water drained through the auxiliary drain 180 may join the condensed water drained through the main drain 170. It is connected with the hose 171.

That is, when the main hose 171 coupled to the main drain portion 170 and the auxiliary hose 181 coupled to the auxiliary drain portion 180 are separately configured, two hoses must be installed and managed. It is inconvenient.

Therefore, by forming the auxiliary hose 181 branched from the main hose 171, the installation and management of the hose is easy, and the condensate generated in the heater core 102 and the coolant storage tank 140 can be connected to the auxiliary hose ( 181 is joined to the main hose 171 side and drained to the outside of the vehicle, it is possible to smoothly drain the condensate.

Hereinafter, the operation of the vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention will be described.

end. In the cooling mode (storage cooling mode) (see Fig. 4),

In the cooling mode, the flow control valve 120 completely blocks the coolant supplied to the heater core 102, and the bypass door 130 opens the bypass passage 131.

In addition, the direction control valve 160 communicates the lower connection pipe 142 of the cooling water storage tank 140 and the inlet pipe 104b of the heater core 102, and the circulation pump 150 operates. Done.

Therefore, the air introduced through the air inlet 111 of the air conditioning case 110 by the blower is cooled in the process of passing through the evaporator 101, some of the cold air through the bypass passage 131 Bypassing the heater core 102, part of the heater core 102 is passed through the air discharge port opened by the mode door 113 in accordance with the air conditioning mode is discharged into the vehicle interior and cooled.

In the above process, the cool air cooled while passing through the evaporator 101 passes through the heater core 102 to cool the coolant in the heater core 102, and then guides along an exposed side of the coolant storage tank 140. While cooling the water in the coolant storage tank 140 by direct heat exchange while cooling, the coolant in the heater core 102 and the coolant storage tank 140 becomes cold.

At this time, the coolant in the heater core 102 is circulated to the coolant storage tank 140 along the circulation path as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 by the circulation pump 150, and in the coolant storage tank 140. The stored coolant becomes colder and accumulates.

Meanwhile, the condensed water generated by the evaporator 101 is drained to the outside of the vehicle through the main drain 170 and the main hose 171, and the condensed water generated by the heater core 102 and the coolant storage tank 140. The drain is discharged to the outside of the vehicle through the auxiliary drain unit 180 and the auxiliary hose 181.

Here, the condensed water drained through the auxiliary hose 181 joins the condensed water drained through the main hose 171 and is drained to the outside of the vehicle.

I. When the engine is stopped (cooling mode) during the cooling mode (see Fig. 5),

When the engine of the vehicle is stopped while waiting for a signal or stops while driving in the cooling mode, the compressor is stopped and the air conditioner is turned off. At this time, since the temperature of the evaporator 101 rises, the air passing through the evaporator 101 Although the temperature may rise rapidly, in this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the bypass passage 131 is closed through the bypass door 130 so that the entire air passing through the evaporator 101 passes through the heater core 102. Done.

At this time, the circulation pump 150 continues to operate to circulate the cold coolant stored in the coolant storage tank 140 to the heater core 102.

Therefore, after the temperature of the air rising while passing through the evaporator 101 is first lowered by the cool coolant in the heater core 102, the cool coolant is guided along the exposed one side of the storage tank 140 in which heat exchange is performed. Since the second descending, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the air discharged to the interior of the vehicle to rise sharply, thereby preventing the discomfort of the occupants.

On the other hand, even when the evaporator 101 is off when the engine is stopped (cooling mode), since the initial cold state, the condensed water is generated in the evaporator 101 for a predetermined time. The condensate generated by the evaporator 101 is drained to the outside of the vehicle through the main drain 170 and the main hose 171, and the condensed water generated by the heater core 102 and the cooling water storage tank 140 is The drain is discharged to the outside of the vehicle through the auxiliary drain unit 180 and the auxiliary hose 181.

Here, the condensed water drained through the auxiliary hose 181 joins the condensed water drained through the main hose 171 and is drained to the outside of the vehicle.

All. In heating mode (see Fig. 6),

In the heating mode, the flow control valve 120 opens the inlet and outlet pipes 104b and 104a of the heater core 102 to supply hot coolant heated from the engine to the heater core 102. The pass door 130 closes the bypass passage 131.

In addition, the direction control valve 160 opens the inlet pipe 104b of the heater core 102 to allow hot coolant to flow into the heater core 102 and at the same time connect the lower connection pipe of the coolant storage tank 140 ( 142 is also slightly open to allow the hot coolant to circulate in part to the coolant storage tank 140, while the coolant stored in the coolant storage tank 140 becomes hot to accumulate.

On the other hand, in the heating mode while the engine is running, the circulation pump 150 is in a stopped state.

Accordingly, air introduced through the air inlet 111 of the air conditioning case 110 by the blower passes through the evaporator 101, and the air passing through the evaporator 101 passes through the heater core 102. After passing through the heat exchange with the heater core 102 in the process of passing, it is discharged into the vehicle interior through the air discharge port opened by the mode door 113 according to the air conditioning mode is heated.

On the other hand, the hot coolant supplied by heating from the engine is mostly circulated through the heater core 102 through the directional control valve 160, the remaining amount is circulated in the coolant storage tank 140 again after the engine Return to the side.

la. When the engine stops in heating mode (see Fig. 7),

When the engine of the vehicle is stopped while waiting for a signal or stops while driving in the heating mode, the supply of coolant is also stopped from the engine side. At this time, since the temperature of the heater core 102 decreases, it passes through the heater core 102. Although the temperature of one air can also drop rapidly, in this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the circulation pump 150 is operated to circulate the hot coolant stored in the coolant storage tank 140 to the heater core 102. do.

Therefore, even when the engine is stopped in the heating mode, since the hot coolant stored in the coolant storage tank 140 circulates to the heater core 102, the air passing through the heater core 102 is first heated, and then the coolant is stored. Since it is guided along the exposed one side of the tank 140 and heat-exchanged directly by secondary heat, the temperature of the air discharged into the vehicle interior is discharged without a significant change for a certain time to continue heating, thereby It is possible to prevent the temperature of the air discharged to decrease rapidly, and to prevent the discomfort of the occupant.

As described above, in the present invention, the coolant storage for heat exchange while guiding the air passing through the heater core 102 to the air outlet side in the air flow direction inside the air conditioning case 110 downstream from the heater core 102. Although only the case where the configuration in which the tank 140 is installed is applied to the semi-center type air conditioner has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto, and all air conditioners such as a center mounting type air conditioner, a three-piece type air conditioner, and a left and right independent air conditioner are provided. The same can be applied to the device and the same effect can be obtained.

100: air conditioner 101: evaporator
102: heater core 104a: outlet pipe
104b: inlet pipe
110: air conditioning case 111: air inlet
112a: defrost vent 112b: face vent
112c, 112d: Floor vent 113: Moddoor
114: partition 115: receiving portion
116: opening
120: flow control valve 121: connecting housing
122: valve 130: bypass door
131: bypass passage 140: cooling water storage tank
141: upper connecting pipe 142: lower connecting pipe
150: circulation pump 160: directional control valve
170: main drain 171: main hose
180: auxiliary drain portion 181: auxiliary hose

Claims (7)

An air inlet case 110 having an air inlet 111 and a plurality of air outlets, an evaporator 101 and a heater core 102 sequentially installed in the air flow direction in the air conditioning case 110, and It is installed on the inlet and outlet pipes (104b, 104a) connected to the heater core 102 and includes a flow control valve 120 for controlling the flow rate of the cooling water supplied to the heater core (102), the heater core (102) In a vehicle air conditioner using an internal cooling water as a heat storage material,
The heater core 102 downstream in the air flow direction inside the air conditioning case 110, while conducting heat exchange while guiding the air passing through the heater core 102 toward the air discharge port side, and connecting the heater core 102 and the connection pipe ( Cooling water storage tank 140 is communicated through 141, 142 is installed,
The air conditioning apparatus for the vehicle, characterized in that the circulation pump 150 for circulating the cooling water in the cooling water storage tank 140 into the heater core (102) is installed on the connection pipe. The method of claim 1,
The cooling water storage tank 140, the vehicle air conditioning apparatus, characterized in that installed facing each other at a predetermined interval to the rear side of the heater core (102) in the air conditioning case (110). The method of claim 2,
Receiving unit for receiving the coolant storage tank 140 between the air outlet (floor vent) formed to discharge the air toward the occupant's foot of the plurality of air discharge port and the rear passage (P) of the heater core (102) 115 is formed,
One side of the coolant storage tank 140 accommodated in the accommodating part 115 may be disposed at one side of the accommodating part 115 facing the heater core 102 in the rear passage P of the heater core 102. The air conditioner for a vehicle, characterized in that the opening 116 is formed to be exposed. The method of claim 1,
Vehicle air conditioning apparatus, characterized in that the inlet pipe (104b) or outlet pipe (104a) of the heater core 102 and the connection pipe is connected to the direction control valve 160 for controlling the flow direction of the coolant is installed. . The method of claim 1,
A main drain 170 is formed below the air conditioning case 110 between the evaporator 101 and the heater core 102 to drain the condensed water generated from the evaporator 101 to the outside.
The condensate generated from the heater core 102 or the cooling water storage tank 140 is stored in the lower portion of the air conditioning case 110 downstream of the heater core 102 in the cold storage mode (cooling mode) or the air cooling mode (engine stop). Vehicle air conditioning apparatus, characterized in that the auxiliary drain portion 180 is formed to be drained. The method of claim 5, wherein
The auxiliary drain unit 180, the vehicle air conditioner, characterized in that formed in the lower air conditioning case 110 between the heater core 102 and the coolant storage tank 140. The method of claim 1,
One side of the cooling water storage tank 140 facing the heater core 102 is characterized in that the fin member 145 is formed to improve the guide and heat exchange performance of the air passing through the heater core 102 Vehicle air conditioning system.

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