WO2004027328A1

WO2004027328A1 - Device for air temperature control in a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2004027328A1
Application number: PCT/US2002/026346
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vladlen Futernik; Rakhil Futernik
Original assignee: Vladlen Futernik; Rakhil Futernik
Priority date: 2002-08-19
Filing date: 2002-08-19
Publication date: 2004-04-01
Also published as: AU2002324739A1

Abstract

In a device for temperature control (1) in a vehicle either by use of a valve unit (9) to control a portion of coolant and thereby the temperature of air flowing from the temperature control element (2) by a temperature of coolant controlled by the thermostat (25), or by speed of the fan, (41) individually and independently from one another. Another embodiment of the device has element for passing a medium selected from the group consisting of the heated coolant, the cooled coolant, and both to at least one auxiliary device (124, 128, 130) in a vehicle to provide heating or cooling of the auxiliary device (124, 128, 130).

Description

Device for Air Temperature Control in a Vehicle

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for controlling temperature in a vehicle.

Background Art

Devices of the above mentioned general type are known in the art. Air controlling or air conditioning devices are known which use an evaporator and a fan supplying the cooled air and located in the vehicle compartment under a dashboard. In this construction the air guides are separated from the heater. Such a location of the air conditioning device distorts comfort layers in the vehicle space by introducing a concentrated mass of cooled air into the central part of the space which settles in the lower part of the space. Hot air is displaced to the sealing. The separation of the air conditioning unit and the heating unit are not advisable, also due to increased costs.

When a car travels at high speed on a hot summer day, it will require considerable refrigerating capacity to keep the interior at a comfortable temperature. The same car, traveling on a cold winter day, will require considerable heating capacity.

Another automobile air conditioner uses a refrigerating system driven by the car engine to furnish cooling action. Warm engine coolant usually provides heat to the passenger compartment when needed. Conditioning the air in the interior of a car involves heating and cooling. The heat to warm the passenger is usually provided by circulating of hot coolant through a heater core. The engine water pump forces the warm coolant through the heater hoses and inside of the heater core. When cooling is rieeded, the air conditioning system is brought into operation. It uses an evaporator inside a plenum chamber to cool the air circulated through the passenger compartment. The car engine, using a belt, drives the compressor to pump through the system.

Some devices of the above mentioned general, type are disclosed in your patents numbers 2,017,579; 2,068,475; 2,106,515; 2,787,129; 3,059,449; 3,753,462; 3,990,505; German patents numbers 2,044,958; 2,158,408, 2204950 and 2,101,955; and Japanese patent no. 0217095.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for controlling air temperature in a vehicle, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

In keeping with these objects and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of present invention resides, briefly stated, i a device which has means forming a first circuit for circulation of a coolant; means forming a second circuit for circulation of a refrigerant; means for connecting said first circuit with an engine for heating the coolant; means for providing a heat exchange between said second circuit and said first circuit for cooling said coolant; a single air temperature regulating element; and means for alternatively connecting said first means to said single air temperature regulating element so that when said coolant is heated from the engine and supplied through said first means said single air temperature regulating element heats air in the vehicle, or connecting said second means with said single air temperature regulating element so that when said coolant in said first circuit is cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant of the second circuit and the cooled coolant is supplied to said single air temperature regulating element to cool air in the vehicle; and a heat exchanger which provides a heat exchange between the coolant of said first circuit and the refrigerant of said second circuit; refrigerant supply means for supplying refrigerant into said heat exchanger; and refrigerant withdrawal means connected with said heat exchanger so as to withdraw the refrigerant simultaneously from all said groups, said refrigerant supply means including a. compressor which, is drivable from a main engine through a clutch and a belt to transmit power from a vehicle engine to said compressor, said clutch being operated and automatically controlled by a thermostat which responds to changes in air temperature within a vehicle compartment, such that operation of said clutch serves for starting and stopping ef said compressor in response to changes of temperature in a cooling mode; fan means; and valv means provided between a heater core and said heat exchange^ so that temperature can be controlled either by use of said valve means to control a portion of coolant and the temperature, by a temperature of coolant controlled by said thermostat, or by speed of said fan, individually and independently from one another.

When the device is designed in accordance with the present invention it eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art and provides for the highly advantageous results in improvement of a comfortability of air heating or cooling and reducing the costs of the system of air temperature control.

The present invention excludes evaporator, a heater-exchanger is installed instead, and is formed in a special inventive way to provide efficient and reliable operation of the system.

Another feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in a device for controlling temperature in a vehicle which has means forming a first circuit for circulation of a coolant; means forming a second circuit for circulation of a: refrigerant; means for connecting- said^" first circuit- with an engine for heating the coolant; means for providing a heat exchange between said second circuit and said first circuit for cooling said coolant; an air temperature reguiating eJement; and means, for alternatively connecting .said first means to said air temperature regulating element so that when said coolant is heated from the engine and supplied through said first means said air temperature regulating element heats air in the vehicle, or connectingsaid second means with said air temperature regulating element so that when said coolant in said first circuit is cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant said second circuit the cooledcoolant is suppliedto said air temperature regulating element to cool air in the vehicle; and means for passing a medium selected from the group consisting of the heated coolant, the cooled coolant, and both to. at. least. one auxiliary device in a vehicle to provide heating or cooling of the auxiliary device.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention in theinventive device said means for supplying said medium include means for supplying the heated coolant for heating a seat, means for supplying the cooled coolant for cooling the seat, means for supplying the heated coolant for heating food in a food containing element, and means for supplying the cooled coolant for cooling a food contained in a food containing element.

It is believed to be clear that the means for supplying said medium can be used individually and separately from one another, and also jointly. When the device is designed in accordance with the present invention, it is possible to heat the seats in the vehicle in cold weather or to cool the seats in the. vehicle in warm weather. It is also possible to heat foo or beverages for eating and drinking in hot state, or to cool the food or beverages for preventing their perishing and keeping them in cold state. The teTm "food¹' is used to mearrany edibie prσductiπ general including foods, beverages, etc.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the present invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method cf operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a view schematically showing a device for temperature control in a vehicle;

Figure 2 is a view showing the inventive device mounted in a vehicle;

Figure 3 is a view showing another embodiment of the device for temperature control in a vehicle in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 4 is a view showing a further modification of the device.

Best Mode of Carrying Out the Invention

A device for air temperature control in a vehicle has an air outlet unit provided in several outlets and identified with reference numeral 1. A known heater core 2 is located before an inlet of the unit 1 , and a fan 3 which is driven by a motor 4 is located behind the heater core so as to blow air with a temperature provided by the heater core into the air outlet unit 1. The motor 4 can be adjusted by an adjusting member 4', to thereby adjust the flow of air from th farr 3:

A vehicle engine 5 is connected by a hot coolant supply conduit 8-.with.the. heater core 2. A valve 22 is located between the conduit 8 and the heater core 2. A return conduit 6 connects the outlet of the heater core 2 to the engine 5 and is provided with a control valve 7. A valve 9 controls a. portion of the hot coolant in the heater core 2 for temperature control.

The device further has a compressor 10 which supplies a vaporous refrigerant to a condenser 11. The thusly liquified refrigerant is supplied through a refrigerant supply conduit 12 into a heat exchanger 13 in which it cools the coolant and is returned through a return conduit 14. An expansion valve 15 is provided in the refrigerant supply heat exchanger 13. A thermostat 25 operates a solenoid clutch 16 from the motor 5 controls an operation time of the compressor and therefore a cooling operation of the system.

The coolant which is cooled in the heat exchanger 13 in heat exchange with the refrigerant is supplied through the cold coolant supply conduit 17 by a water pump 18 operated by a motor 19, to the heater core 2. A valve 20 is provided in the conduit 17. An coolant return conduit 21 connects an outlet of the heater core 2 with the heat exchanger 13 and is provided with a valve 22. A valve 9 controls a portion of the cold coolant in the heater core for temperature control.

The device for controlling air temperature in a vehicle in accordance with the present invention operates in the following manner,

When it is necessary to heat air in vehicle space, the valves 20 and 22 are closed and the valves 7 and 23 are open. The coolant heated by the engine 5 is supplied through the conduit 6 into the heat cor and heats the same, and the blower 3 blows the air through the heated heater core 2 into the air outlet unit 1 so as to heat the inner space of the vehicle. The slightly cooled coolant is returned back to the engine 5 through the conduit 8.

When it is necessary to cool air in the vehicle space, the valves 7 and 23. are closed and. the valves 20 and 22 are open. The coolant which is cooled in the heat exchanger 13 is supplied through the conduit 17 into the heater core 2 and cools the same, and the blower 3 blows cold air into the air outlet unit 1, whereupon the slightly heated air coolant is returned back into the heat exchanger 13 through the conduit 21. In the inventive device the temperature therefore can be controlled by the use of the valve 9 for controlling a portion of coolant and thereby temperature of air flowing out of the output 1 , the temperature of coolant can be controlled by the thermostat 25 cooperating with the clutch 16, and the speed of the fan 3 can be controlled by the member 4'. These controls can be performed individually and separately from one another, or jointly.

Another embodiment of the device for temperature control in a vehicle shown in Figure 3 has an air outlet unit provided with several outlets and identified with reference numeral 1. A known heater core 2 is located before an inlet of the unit 1. A fan 3 which is driven by a motor104 with a speed adjustable by an adjusting member 4' is located behind the heater core so as to blow air with a temperature provided by the heater core into the air outlet 1.

A vehicle engine 5 is connected by a return conduit 6 with the heater Gore 2, A valve 7 is located between the conduit 6 and the heater core 2. A hot coolant conduit 8 connects the outlet of the heater core 2 to the engϊhe 5 and is provided with a control valve 23. A valve 9 controls a portion^" of the hot coolant in the heater core 2 for temperature control.

The device further has a compressor 10 which supplies a vaporous refrigerant to a condenser 11. The thusly liquified refrigerant is supplied through a refrigerant supply conduit 112 into a heat exchanger 13 in which it cools the coolant and is returned through a return conduit 14. An expansion valve 15 is provided in the refrigerant supply heat exchanger 113. A thermostat 25 operates solenoid clutch 16 and controls an operation time of the compressor and therefore a cooling operation of the system.

The coolant which is cooled in the heat exchanger 13 in heat exchange with the refrigerant is supplied through the cold coolant supply conduit 17 by a pump 18 operated by a motor 19, to the heater core 2. A valve 20 is provided in the conduit 17. A coolant return conduit 29 connects an outlet of the heater core 2 with the heat exchanger 13 and is provided with a valve 22.

Reference numeral 24 identifies an auxiliary device in the vehicle, and in particular a passenger seat. Reference numeral 28 identifies a food storing device for example, a container for food, beverages, etc. They are provided with supply conduits 30 and 31 having valves 32 and 33, heat exchangers 34 and 35, and return conduit 36 and 37.

The device in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention operates in the following manner:

When it is necessary to heat an air in vehicle space, the valves 20 and 22 are closed, while the valves 7 and 23 are open. The coolant heated by the engine 105 is supplied through the conduit 108 into the heater core and treats thesame, and the fan 3 blows the air through the heater core 2 into the air outlet 1 so as to heat the inner space of the vehicle. The slightly cooled coolant is returned back to the engine 105 through the conduit 6. When it is necessary to cool air in the vehicle space, the valve 7 and 123 are closed and the valves 20 and 22 are open. The coolant which is cooled in the heat exchanger 13 is supplied through the conduit 17 into the heater core 2 and cools the same, and the fan 3 blows cold air into the air outlet unit 1 , whereupon the slightly heated air coolant is returned back into the heat exchanger through the return conduit 29.

In the inventive device the temperature therefore can be controlled by the use of the valve 9 for controlling a portion of coolant and thereby temperature of air flowing out of the outlet 1 , the temperature of coolant can be controlled by the thermostat 25 cooperating with the clutch 16, and the speed of the fan 3 can be controlled by the member 4'. These three controls can be performed individually and separately from one another, or jointly.

In device in accordance with the present invention is possible to heat or cool the passenger seat4. For heating the seat for example in. cold weather, the heated coolant is supplied through the conduit 8 and 30 into the heat exchanger 34 inside the passenger seat, and the degree of heating is regulated by the valve 21 and is returned through the conduits 36, 29 and 6. For cooling the passenger seat, for example in warm weather the cold coolant is supplied through the conduits 17 and 30 into the heat exchanger 34, and the degree of cooling is controlled by the valve 32 and is returned through the conduits 36 and 29.

The food storage container 28 can be heated, for example for keeping the food and beverages hot, by supplying the heated coolant through the conduits 08 and 31 heat exchanger 35, and the degree of heating carr be controlled by the valve 33, and is returned through the conduits 37, 29 and 6. Also, the food container 28 can be cooled for example to store food and beverages for consumption in cold condition, by supplying the cooled coolant through the conduits 17 and 31 into the heat exchanger 35, and the degree of heating can be controlled by the valve 33, and is returned through the conduits 37 and 29.

Figure 4 shows a further modification of the present invention.

In. this embodiment the device has two storage containers 128 and 130 provided with two heat exchangers 143 and 144 having coolant supply conduits 145 and 146 with control valves 129 and 127, and coolant return conduits 149 and 15Q.

When the heat exchanger 144 is supplied with the cold coolant through the conduits 17 and 146 the food is cooled in the food storage container 130. Degree of cooling can be controlled by the valve 129.

When the heat exchanger 143 is supplied with the hot coolant through the conduits 108 and 145 the food is heated in the food storage container 128. Degree of heating can be controlled by the valve 127.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in device for air temperature control in a vehicle,, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing wiil so fully reveal the gist of. the present invention that others, can, by applyingxurrent knowledge,, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is. set forth in theappended. claims.

Claims

1. A device for air temperature control in a vehicle, comprising means forming a first circuit for circulation of a coolant; means forming a second circuit for circulation of a refrigerant; means for connecting said first circuit with an engine for heating the coolant; means for providing a heat exchange between said second circuit and said first circuit for cooling said coolant; an air temperature regulating element; and means for alternatively connecting said first means to said air temperature regulating element so that when said coolant is heated from the engine and supplied through said first means said air temperature regulating element heats air in the vehicle, or connecting said second, means with said air temperature regulating element so that when said coolant in said first circuit is cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant of the second circuit and the cooled coolant is supplied to said air temperature regulating element to cool air in the vehicle; and a heat exchanger which provides a heat exchange between the coolant of said first circuit and the refrigerant of said second circuit; refrigerant supply means for supplying refrigerant into said heat exchanger; and refrigerant withdrawal means connected with said heat exchanger so as to withdraw the refrigerant from said heat exchanger, said refrigerant supply means including a compressor which is drivable from a main engine through a clutch and a belt to transmit power from a vehicle engine to said compressor, said clutch being operated and automatically controlled by a thermostat which responds to changes in air temperature within a vehicle compartment, such that operation of said clutch serves for starting and stopping of said compressor in response to changes of temperature in a cooling mode; fan means; and valve means provided between a heater core and said heat exchanger, so that temperature can be controlled either by use of said valve means to control a portion of coolant nd thereb the temperature of air flowing from the temperature control element, by a temperature of coolant controlled by said thermostat, or by speed of said fan, individually and. independently, from one.another.

2. A device for a temperature control in a vehicle, comprising means forming- a- first circuit for. circulation of a coolant; means forming a- second circuit for circulation of a refrigerant; means for connecting said first circuit with an engine for heating the coolant; means for providing^a heat exchange-between said second circuit and said first circuit for cooling said coolant; an air temperature regulating element; and means for alternatively connecting said first means to said air temperature regulating element so that when said coolant is heated from the engine and supplied through said first means said air temperature regulating element heats air in the vehicle, or connecting said, second means, with said air temperature, regulating element so that when said coolant in said first circuit is cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant said second circuit the cooled coolant is supplied to said air temperature regulating element to cool air in the. vehicle; and means for passing a medium selected from the group consisting of the heated coolant, the cooled coolant, and both to at least one auxiliary device in a. vehicle to provide heating or cooling, of the auxiliary device.

A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said means for supplying said medium include meansfor supplying said medium through theauxiliary device which is a seat so as to heat the seat.

A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said means for supplying said medium include means for supplying said medium through the auxiliary device which is a seat so as to cool the seat.

5. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said means for supplying said medium include means for supplying said medium to said auxiliary device which is formed as a food containing device so as to cool food contained in the food containing device.

6. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said means for supplying said medium include means for supplying said medium to said auxiliary device which is formed as a food containing device so as to heat food contained in the food containing device.

7. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said means for supplying said medium include means for supplying the heated coolant for heating a seat, means for supplying the cooled coolant for cooling the seat, means for supplying the heated coolant for heating food in a food containing element, and means for supplying the cooled coolant for cooling a food contained in a food containing element. A device as defined in claim 2; and further comprising a heat exchanger which provides a heat exchange between the coolant and the refrigerant flowing in said coolant circuit and said refrigerant circuit correspondingly.