JP6014897B2 - Air conditioner for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner mounted on a vehicle.

  Conventionally, a vehicle air conditioner disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is mounted on a vehicle. The vehicle air conditioner disclosed in Patent Literature 1 described below suppresses odors that are generated when the air conditioning operation is started next by drying a cooling interior heat exchanger that forms the vehicle air conditioner during parking. And trying to suppress bacterial growth in heat exchangers and the like.

  Specifically, the vehicle air conditioner of Patent Document 1 below has an electrical control unit, and when the control unit detects that the ignition switch is turned from the on state to the off state, the vehicle air conditioner depends on the outside air introduction mode. Start operation. In the outside air introduction mode, the blower provided in the air conditioning duct operates for a predetermined air blowing duration. Thereby, a heat exchanger can be exposed to an airflow and can be dried.

JP 2011-68155 A

  However, in the vehicle air conditioner of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide a control means that can be electrically controlled. Therefore, in a vehicle that is not equipped with a control device for an air conditioner such as a so-called manually operated vehicle air conditioner, a control device must be provided separately in order to achieve the configuration as described in Patent Document 1, There is a problem that the manufacturing cost is high. In other words, the conventional technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it cannot be applied to a manually operated air conditioner.

  Therefore, the present invention can also be applied to a so-called manual operation type air conditioner, and the vehicle air conditioner can suppress the production cost and suppress the generation of a strange odor and the proliferation of germs and the like when restarting the air conditioning operation. The purpose was to provide.

The vehicle air conditioner of the present invention provided to solve the above-described problem is a vehicle air conditioner mounted on a vehicle, and includes an air conditioning duct for supplying conditioned air toward the passenger compartment, and heat exchange. A heat exchanger capable of cooling the air flowing through the air-conditioning duct, a heater core capable of heating the air flowing through the air-conditioning duct using cooling water for cooling a drive source of the vehicle as a heat source, A blower that generates airflow that flows toward the passenger compartment through the heat exchanger and the heater core in the air conditioning duct, a thermally deformable structure that deforms in accordance with a temperature change of the cooling water, and a flow path switching mechanism. The air conditioning duct has a plurality of system interior outflow paths for blowing air toward the vehicle interior and an outside air inflow path leading to an outside air introduction port for introducing outside air as an air inflow / outflow path Be prepared The flow path switching mechanism is capable of switching the open / closed state of the path that forms the inflow / outflow path using the deformation force of the thermal deformation structure, and the temperature of the cooling water is at the time of driving the drive source. The thermal deformation structure section is deformed so as to be in at least one of the following (State 1), (State 2), and (State 3) It is.
(State 1) A state in which outside air can be introduced into the air conditioning duct via the outside air inflow path.
(State 2) A state where two or more of the vehicle interior outflow paths communicate with each other.
(State 3) A state in which the outside air inflow path and the vehicle interior outflow path are in communication.

  In the vehicle air conditioner of the present invention, the opening / closing state of the path forming the inflow / outflow path can be switched by the flow path switching mechanism using the deforming force of the heat deformation structure part that deforms with the temperature change of the cooling water. Yes. Further, the flow path switching mechanism is set to at least one of the above (State 1), (State 2), and (State 3) on condition that the temperature of the cooling water is lower than when the driving source is driven. It is supposed that the heat deformation structure part is deformed. Therefore, when the temperature of the cooling water decreases as the drive source is stopped, the outside air can be introduced into the air conditioning duct (in the case of (State 1)), and the two or more passenger compartment outflow paths are in communication with each other (( In the case of the state 2)), the outside air can be introduced into the air conditioning duct and can communicate with at least one of the vehicle interior outflow paths provided in the multiple systems (in the case of the (state 3)), or a combination of these three states It becomes a state. Thereby, it can suppress that the causative substance of a strange odor accumulates in an air-conditioning duct, and miscellaneous bacteria will proliferate.

  In the vehicle air conditioner of the present invention, it is not necessary to provide an electrically controllable control means. Thereby, it is not necessary to separately provide a control device, and the manufacturing cost of the vehicle air conditioner can be suppressed. Further, the present invention can be suitably applied to a so-called manual operation type air conditioner because it is not necessary to provide a control means for the vehicle air conditioner.

  The vehicle air conditioner of the present invention described above has a switching operation device for operating the flow path switching mechanism, and the temperature of the cooling water is driven by the drive source regardless of the operation state of the switching operation device. The thermal deformation structure portion is deformed so as to be in at least one of (State 1), (State 2), and (State 3) on condition that the time is lower than the time. It may be what you do.

  In the vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention, when the temperature of the cooling water decreases as the drive source stops, regardless of the operation state of the switching operation device, (state 1), (state 2), (state 3), or a combination thereof It becomes a state. Thus, the state in which the outside air can be introduced into the air conditioning duct, the state in which it can ventilate between the two or more vehicle interior outflow routes, the vehicle interior outflow route in which the outside air can be introduced into the air conditioning duct, and a plurality of systems are provided. It is in a state where it can communicate with at least one of these or a combination of these three states. Thereby, even if the user of a vehicle does not operate a switching operation device intentionally, it can suppress that a causative substance of a strange odor accumulates in an air-conditioning duct, and that various germs grow.

  According to the present invention, a vehicle air conditioner that can also be applied to a so-called manual operation type air conditioner, and that can suppress the production cost and suppress the generation of a strange odor and the proliferation of germs and the like when restarting the air conditioning operation. Can be provided.

(A) is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the vehicle air conditioner which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the heat deformation structure part currently used for the vehicle air conditioner of (a). .

  Hereinafter, a vehicle air conditioner 1 (hereinafter also simply referred to as “air conditioner 1”) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 includes a blower 10, an air conditioning duct 20, a cooling device 50, a heating device 60, a thermal deformation structure 70, a flow path switching mechanism 80, and a switching operation device 90. As the main part.

  The blower 10 is for generating airflow that flows through the air conditioning duct 20 toward the vehicle interior. The blower 10 is installed in the air conditioning duct 20 at a position adjacent to the downstream side with respect to the outside air introduction port 22 and the inside air introduction port 24 described in detail later.

  The air conditioning duct 20 is a duct provided with an outside air introduction port 22 and an inside air introduction port 24 on one end side (upstream side) and an air outlet on the other end side (downstream side). In the present embodiment, the defroster outlet 26 for the defroster that removes condensation and freezing in the glass G such as the windshield and side glass provided in the passenger cabin, and the temperature-adjusted air toward the driver's seat or the passenger seat are blown out. The face air outlet 28 (upper air outlet) and a foot air outlet 30 (lower air outlet) for blowing out the temperature-adjusted air toward the feet of the occupant. The outside air introduction port 22 is an introduction port provided for introducing air for air conditioning from outside the cabin, and the inside air introduction port 24 is an introduction port provided for introducing air for air conditioning from inside the cabin. is there.

  On the upstream side of the air conditioning duct 20, an inside / outside air switching damper 32 that can be opened and closed by selecting the outside air introduction port 22 and the inside air introduction port 24 is provided. Corresponding to the defroster outlet 26, the face outlet 28, and the foot outlet 30, a defroster opening / closing damper 34 (defroster opening / closing means), a face opening / closing damper 36, and a foot opening / closing damper 38 are provided. Furthermore, an air mix damper 39 is installed between the heat exchanger 52 and the heating device 60 of the cooling device 50, which will be described later in detail, in an intermediate portion of the air conditioning duct 20. The inside / outside air switching damper 32, the defroster opening / closing damper 34, the face opening / closing damper 36, the foot opening / closing damper 38, and the air mix damper 39 are physically connected to each other via a switching operation device 90 and a control cable (not shown). The user can operate the switching operation device 90 to open and close.

  The air-conditioning duct 20 can form an inflow / outflow path 40 that reaches each inlet and each outlet by opening and closing each damper described above. Specifically, by switching the inside / outside air switching damper 32, the outside air inflow path 42 or the inside air introduction port 24 for introducing outside air (air outside the passenger compartment) into the air conditioning duct 20 through the outside air introduction port 22 is provided. Thus, an inside air inflow path 41 for introducing inside air (air in the passenger compartment) into the air conditioning duct 20 can be formed.

  Further, by opening and closing the defroster opening / closing damper 34, the face opening / closing damper 36, and the foot opening / closing damper 38, the face blowing path 44 (upper outflow path), the foot blowing path 46 (lower outflow path), and the defroster outflow path 48, respectively. Thus, a plurality of vehicle interior outflow paths 43 can be formed. The face blowout path 44 is a path that reaches the face blowout opening 28 for mainly blowing air toward the upper body (face) direction of the occupant. Further, the foot blowing path 46 is a path that reaches the foot outlet 30 (lower outlet) for mainly blowing air toward the lower body (foot) direction of the occupant. The defroster outflow path 48 is a path to the defroster outlet 26 for the defroster.

  The cooling device 50 is for cooling the air flowing through the air conditioning duct 20. The cooling device 50 includes a heat exchanger 52 (evaporator) and a compressor 56 connected to the heat exchanger 52 via a refrigerant circulation channel 54, and refrigerant can be circulated between the two. ing. In addition, a condenser, a receiver, an expansion valve, and the like (not shown) are installed in the middle of the refrigerant circulation channel 54. The heat exchanger 52 is installed in the air conditioning duct 20 at a position adjacent to the downstream side with respect to the blower 10 described above. The compressor 56 is connected so as to be able to transmit power to the engine E which is a drive source of the vehicle, and can pump the refrigerant using the power transmitted from the engine E.

  The heating device 60 is for heating the air flowing through the air conditioning duct 20. In the present embodiment, the heater core 62 that can heat the airflow by heat exchange using the cooling water of the engine E as a heat source is used as the heating device 60. A cooling water circulation channel 64 is connected to the heater core 62 constituting the heating device 60, and the cooling water can be circulated between the heater core 62 and the engine E via the cooling water circulation channel 64.

  The heating device 60 is installed at a position adjacent to the downstream side of the airflow flowing in the air conditioning duct 20 with respect to the cooling device 50 described above. Moreover, the heating device 60 is installed so as to be unevenly distributed on one side (lower side in the illustrated state) in the opening area of the air conditioning duct 20.

  Between the cooling device 50 and the heating device 60, the above-described air mix damper 39 is installed. The air mix damper 39 has a support shaft at an intermediate portion (substantially central portion in the illustrated state) of the opening area of the air conditioning duct 20, and is rotatable about the support shaft. Since the heating device 60 is installed at a position that is unevenly distributed to one side of the position where the support shaft of the air mix damper 39 is provided, the heating device 60 is adjusted by adjusting the open / closed state (open / close position) of the air mix damper 39. It is possible to adjust the flow rate of the airflow that has passed through and heated, and the flow rate of the airflow in the low-temperature state without passing through the heating device 60. Therefore, the temperature of the airflow supplied to each outlet 26, 28, 30 can be adjusted by adjusting the open / closed state of the air mix damper 39.

  The thermal deformation structure portion 70 is provided at an intermediate portion of the cooling water circulation passage 64 connected to the heater core 62. As shown in FIG. 1B, the thermal deformation structure unit 70 includes an expansion / contraction unit 66 provided at an intermediate portion of the cooling water circulation channel 64, and a drive mechanism 72 attached to the expansion / contraction unit 66.

  As shown by a solid line and a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1B, the expansion / contraction portion 66 is a portion that can be expanded and contracted in the radial direction along with the temperature change of the cooling water flowing inside the cooling water circulation passage 64. is there. Specifically, the cooling water circulation channel 64 has a bellows shape in the thermal deformation structure portion 70. Therefore, when the cooling water rises in temperature with the drive of the engine E, a force that causes the bellows to expand radially outward acts on the expansion / contraction portion 66. Further, when the cooling water is lowered and contracted as the engine E is stopped, the force for expanding the expansion / contraction portion 66 as described above toward the radially outer side does not act.

  The drive mechanism 72 includes a slide piece 74 that is slidably attached to a casing that forms the air conditioner 1, and a swing piece that is attached to the slide piece 74 so as to be swingable about a central axis 76. 75. The slide piece 74 is engaged in such a manner as to be hooked on the outer periphery of the expansion / contraction portion 66 forming the cooling water circulation channel 64. The slide piece 74 is slidable in the expansion / contraction direction of the expansion / contraction part 66. A spring 77 is attached between the base end portion of the slide piece 74 and the housing forming the air conditioner 1. The slide piece 74 is biased by a spring 77 in a direction in which the expansion / contraction part 66 is contracted. Therefore, when the coolant temperature is low, the slide piece 74 operates in the direction in which the expansion / contraction portion 66 contracts. When the coolant temperature rises and expands, the expansion / contraction portion 66 expands against the urging force of the spring 77, and the slide piece 74 operates following this.

  One end side of the swing piece 75 is pin-connected to the tip portion of the slide piece 74 and is connected to the slide piece 74 so as to be rotatable. The other end side of the swing piece 75 is connected to a flow path switching cable 78 that is disposed substantially parallel to the slide direction of the slide piece 74. The flow path switching cable 78 is connected to the flow path switching mechanism 80 side described in detail later. Therefore, the drive mechanism 72 can change the tension state of the flow path switching cable 78 with the slide operation of the slide piece 74. That is, when the slide piece 74 slides in the contraction direction of the expansion / contraction part 66, the flow path switching cable 78 is drawn toward the drive mechanism 72 side. Further, when the slide piece 74 slides in the expansion direction of the expansion / contraction part 66, the flow path switching cable 78 is pulled back to the flow path switching mechanism 80 side.

The flow path switching mechanism 80 includes each damper provided in the above-described air conditioning duct 20, specifically, an inside / outside air switching damper 32, a defroster opening / closing damper 34, a face opening / closing damper 36, and a foot opening / closing damper 38. The open / close state of the route 40 can be switched. In the present embodiment, the flow path switching mechanism 80 is characterized in that the open / close state of the outside air inflow path 42 can be switched by opening and closing the inside / outside air switching damper 32 using the deformation force of the thermal deformation structure portion 70. .

  Specifically, the inside / outside air switching damper 32 is integrally formed with a shutter portion 32a and a rotating wall 32c that can swing around a support shaft 32b. The shutter portion 32a has a size and shape that can selectively close the outside air introduction port 22 and the inside air introduction port 24. Therefore, either the outside air introduction port 22 or the inside air introduction port 24 can be closed by turning (swinging) the turning wall 32c about the support shaft 32b.

  In the rotating wall 32c, a connection portion 32d is provided on the opposite side of the shutter portion 32a. A switching operation cable 82 and a spring 84 are connected to the connection portion 32d in addition to the flow path switching cable 78 whose one end is connected to the expansion / contraction portion 66 described above. The switching operation cable 82 is a cable connected to the switching operation device 90 for switching the inside / outside air switching damper 32 by a passenger's manual operation. The spring 84 is installed so as to connect the connection portion 32d of the rotating wall 32c and the inner wall surface of the air conditioning duct 20.

  The flow path switching cable 78 and the switching operation cable 82 are connected so as to be unevenly distributed in a region (left side in the drawing) on one side in the rotational direction of the rotational wall 32c. On the other hand, the spring 84 is connected to a region (right side in the drawing) opposite to the flow path switching cable 78 and the switching operation cable 82. Further, the spring 84 biases the inside / outside air switching damper 32 in a direction to close the outside air introduction port 22.

  Next, the operation of the air conditioner 1 will be described. With the operation of the engine E, the expansion / contraction part 66 is in a state where the cooling water is expanded at a higher temperature than when the engine E is not driven. In such a state, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 1B, the expansion / contraction portion 66 of the cooling water circulation passage 64 is in an expanded state. Along with this, the slide piece 74 of the drive mechanism 72 engaged with the expansion / contraction part 66 slides, and the swing piece 75 swings in the direction of loosening the flow path switching cable 78. For this reason, when the engine E is in operation (when the coolant is at a predetermined temperature (for example, 80 degrees) or more while the vehicle is running or idling), the inside / outside air switching damper 32 is in accordance with the operation state of the switching operation device 90. The open / close state of is set.

  On the other hand, when the temperature of the cooling water is lower than when the engine E is driven as the engine E is stopped (not driven), the cooling water is in a contracted state at a lower temperature than when the vehicle is running. In such a state, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1B, the expansion / contraction part 66 of the cooling water circulation channel 64 is contracted. Further, the slide piece 74 of the drive mechanism 72 is slid by the action of the spring 77. Along with this, the swing piece 75 swings in the direction of pulling the flow path switching cable 78 toward the thermal deformation structure 70. Thus, the inside / outside air switching damper 32 opens the outside air introduction port 22 and closes the inside air introduction port 24, and the outside air is introduced into the air conditioning duct 20 through the outside air inflow path 42. Therefore, when the engine is stopped by changing the ignition from the on state to the off state when the user parks, the air conditioning duct 20 is ventilated and the heat exchanger 52 and the like are exposed to the outside air regardless of the switching operation device 90. Is possible (corresponding to (State 1)). Thereby, it can suppress that the causative substance of a strange odor accumulates in the air-conditioning duct 20, and miscellaneous bacteria grow.

  Moreover, in the air conditioner 1 of this embodiment, the thermal deformation structure part 70 is operated using the deformation force of the expansion-contraction part 66 by the water pressure which generate | occur | produces with the temperature change of a cooling water, and the inside / outside air switching damper 32 is made. It is to be operated. Therefore, the air conditioner 1 does not need to be provided with a control unit that can electrically control the operation of each part, and can reduce the manufacturing cost at a low cost. Further, the air conditioner 1 does not need to be provided with a control means for operation control, and can be of a so-called manual operation type. The water pressure is generated by utilizing the thermal expansion and the steam pressure of the cooling water by a known pressurizing radiator mounted on the vehicle. The water pressure (pressure) is controlled by a radiator cap. For this reason, the expansion / contraction portion 66 is deformed in the direction in which the outer shape expands due to the increase of the internal water pressure.

  Moreover, the air conditioner 1 of this embodiment will be in the state which can introduce outside air in the air-conditioning duct 20 irrespective of the operation state of the switching operation apparatus 90, if a cooling water temperature falls with the stop of the engine E. FIG. Therefore, even if the user of the vehicle does not intentionally operate the switching operation device 90, it is possible to prevent the causative substance of a strange odor from being accumulated in the air conditioning duct 20 and the proliferation of germs and the like.

  Moreover, in the air conditioner 1, since the inside / outside air switching damper 32 is operated by utilizing the deformation of the expansion / contraction part 66 accompanying the temperature change of the cooling water, the inside / outside air switching damper 32 takes time relatively slowly. It works over. For this reason, the air conditioner 1 has a low operating noise when the inside / outside air switching damper 32 is operated by the action of the thermal deformation structure portion 70. Further, since the inside / outside air switching damper 32 can be automatically operated when the user is not in the vehicle, there is no inconvenience for the user.

  The structure of the air conditioner 1 is not limited to what was demonstrated in this embodiment, It can change suitably in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the example in which the inside / outside air switching damper 32 can be opened and closed by the thermal deformation structure portion 70 in accordance with the temperature change of the cooling water is shown, but the present invention is limited to this. Instead, for example, the face opening / closing damper 36 and the foot opening / closing damper 38 may be operated.

  More specifically, the face opening / closing damper 36 and the foot opening / closing damper 38 are opened using the deformation force generated in the heat deformation structure 70 in accordance with the temperature change of the cooling water, and a plurality of systems constituting the vehicle interior outflow path 43 are formed. Of the routes, at least two or more of the vehicle interior outflow routes may be in a state of communicating with each other (corresponding to (state 2)). Specifically, a state where two systems of the face blowing path 44 (upper outflow path) and the foot blowing path 46 (lower outflow path) are connected, a state where the two systems of the face blowing path 44 and the defroster outflow path 48 are connected, and the foot You may make it the state which two systems, the blowing path 46 and the defroster outflow path 48 connect, or the state where three systems, the face blowing path 44, the foot blowing path 46, and the defroster outflow path 48, communicate. Even in the case of such a configuration, it is possible to ensure ventilation in the air conditioning duct 20 regardless of the switching operation device 90 when the engine E is stopped. Thereby, it can suppress that the causative substance of a strange odor accumulates in the air-conditioning duct 20, and miscellaneous bacteria etc. proliferate.

  Further, the outside air inlet 22 communicates with at least one of the face blowing path 44, the foot blowing path 46, and the defroster outflow path 48 by using the deforming force generated in the thermal deformation structure unit 70 with the temperature change of the cooling water. (Corresponding to (state 3)). Even in the case of such a configuration, regardless of the switching operation device 90, the ventilation in the air-conditioning duct 20 is ensured when the engine E is stopped, a substance causing a strange odor is trapped in the air-conditioning duct 20, and germs. Can be prevented from growing.

  In the present embodiment, the thermal deformation structure 70 operates by utilizing the expansion and contraction portion 66 provided in the intermediate portion of the cooling water circulation passage 64 that expands and contracts according to the temperature of the cooling water. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, for example, a conventionally known wax pellet type thermostat is provided in the heat deformation structure portion 70 so that the wax expands and contracts according to the temperature of the cooling water of the engine E, and this operating force is used. It is also possible to operate the inside / outside air switching damper 32 and the like. Even when such a configuration is adopted, ventilation in the air conditioning duct 20 is ensured regardless of the operation state of the switching operation device 90, and a substance causing a strange odor is trapped in the air conditioning duct 20, and germs and the like grow. This can be suppressed.

  The vehicle air conditioner of the present invention can be used by being mounted on any vehicle. Since the vehicle air conditioner of the present invention does not require complicated control or the like, the vehicle air conditioner can be particularly suitably used in a so-called manual type air conditioner that does not include a controller for the air conditioner.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle air conditioner 10 Blower 20 Air conditioning duct 22 Outside air inlet 28 Face outlet 30 Foot outlet 42 Outside air inflow path 44 Face outlet path 46 Foot outlet path 52 Heat exchanger 62 Heater core 70 Thermal deformation structure part 80 Channel switching mechanism 90 switching operation device

Claims (2)

A vehicle air conditioner mounted on a vehicle,
An air conditioning duct for supplying conditioned air to the passenger compartment;
A heat exchanger capable of cooling the air flowing through the air conditioning duct by heat exchange;
A heater core capable of heating air flowing through the air-conditioning duct using cooling water for cooling a drive source of the vehicle as a heat source;
A blower that generates airflow that flows through the heat exchanger and the heater core toward the passenger compartment in the air conditioning duct;
A thermally deformable structure that deforms in accordance with a temperature change of the cooling water;
And a flow path switching mechanism,
The air conditioning duct includes a plurality of vehicle interior outflow paths for blowing air toward the vehicle interior, and an outside air inflow path leading to an outside air introduction port for introducing outside air as an air inflow / outflow path,
The flow path switching mechanism is capable of switching the open / closed state of the path forming the inflow / outflow path using the deformation force of the thermal deformation structure part,
On the condition that the temperature of the cooling water is lower than when the driving source is driven, the heat is set so that at least one of the following (State 1), (State 2), and (State 3) is obtained. A vehicle air conditioner in which a deformable structure is deformed.
(State 1) A state in which outside air can be introduced into the air conditioning duct via the outside air inflow path.
(State 2) A state where two or more of the vehicle interior outflow paths communicate with each other.
(State 3) A state in which the outside air inflow path and the vehicle interior outflow path are in communication. A switching operation device for operating the flow path switching mechanism;
(State 1), (State 2), and (State 3) on the condition that the temperature of the cooling water is lower than when the drive source is driven, regardless of the operation state of the switching operation device. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the thermally deformable structure portion is deformed so as to be in at least one of the states.

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