【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、車室内に冷風を吹出す吹出し口を有する冷凍サイクル式の車両空調手段と、自動車等の座席の座部、背部等の表面より、座席の設けてある車室内の空気を除湿して噴出させ、座席に着座した人体に除湿空気をあてる座席空調手段を備え、前記両方の手段により、環境温度が高い時はもちろん、長時間の着座においても快適な着座感を得ることのできる空調座席装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来の空調座席装置において、吸湿材料を使用したものとして、特開平１１−１２３９５９号公報（例えば、特許文献１参照）に示すようなものが開示されている。この空調座席装置は、図９、図１０に示すように、背もたれ部６０は内部に空気通路６１を有し、背もたれ部６０と空気通路６１の間には水蒸気分圧の勾配にしたがった非通気性と透湿性を併せ持った透湿層６２が配置されており、空気通路６１には矢印で示すように背もたれ部６０から透湿層６２を介して透湿してくる水蒸気が流れ込む構造にしてある。
【０００３】
一方、吸湿性材料を備えた空気乾燥装置６３を通して乾燥させた乾燥空気を空気通路６１に流すことにより、空気通路６１に流れ込んでいる水蒸気を乾燥させて排気口６１ａから排出する。以上の作用を連続することで透湿層６２が背もたれ部６０の外側（背もたれ部にある人体の汗など）にある水蒸気を透過させ、水蒸気は乾燥した空気中で蒸発する構造にしてある。
【０００４】
なお、空気乾燥装置６３は、空気入口６６、６７を持ったゼオライトやシリカゲルのような吸湿材料で満たされた反応容器６４、６５と、それぞれ一体化された電気ヒータ６８、６９を有し、電気駆動される空気フラップ７０で空気通路６１の入口と接続されている空気出口７１、および外気に開口した吸気口７２に流路が切り替えられるようになっている。
【０００５】
上記構成において、空気乾燥装置６３を連続運転するために２つの反応容器６４、６５は交互に吸湿プロセス、ならびに再生プロセスとに切り替えられる。一方の反応容器６４が電気ヒータ６８で再生されている時（再生プロセス）、他の反応容器６５がその内部を流れる空気を吸着材料の吸湿作用によって乾燥させるとともに、吸着熱で空気の温度を加熱する（吸湿プロセス）。反応容器６５の吸着材が飽和すると、空気フラップ７０を破線のように切り替え、電気ヒータ６９に通電し反応容器６５を再生するとともに反応容器６４がその内部を流れる空気を吸着材料の吸湿作用によって乾燥させる。
【０００６】
このような装置において、人体で発生した汗が座席と接したところ以外は吸収されず、その吸収量も衣類と透質層６２を通して水分を吸収するため少ないものである。また、空気乾燥装置６３より出た空気は、吸着熱で温度が高く、そのまま座席の着座面から吹出しても冷涼感を得られ難いことが考えられる。
【０００７】
さらに、このような空調座席装置を自動車の座席に装備すれば、既に搭載されている冷凍サイクル式の冷凍装置である冷房空調装置、つまりカーエアコンと組み合わせて使用することが考えられる。
【０００８】
しかし、カーエアコンは冷凍サイクル式の冷凍装置であるため、空気を熱交換して冷気を得られるまでには一定の時間がかかり、つまり立ち上がり時間を必要とするとともに、立ち上がり後も車室内が一定の冷房空調域に達するまでに時間を要するものである。従って、一般に夏季の炎天下で駐車中の車室の室温が高温に上昇し、さらに座席の表面が前記高温以上に上昇する環境では、暫くの間は冷房空調域にすることが困難である。
【０００９】
一方、前記したように空調座席装置では、座席に着座した人体の汗の吸収が緩慢であることが考えられ、また空気乾燥装置より出た吸着熱で高温の空気が車室内に放出されること等から、夏季の炎天下での駐車で高室温になった車室において、座席に着座後から冷涼感を得ることは困難であるように考えられる。
【００１０】
以上のように前記の両空調装置にはそれぞれの事情があるので、ただ単に組み合わせても満足の得られる空調を望むことは困難であるように考える。
【００１１】
【特許文献１】
特開平１１−１２３９５９号公報
【００１２】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上記従来の技術における考えられる問題点に鑑み、本発明が解決しようとする課題は、冷凍サイクル式の車両空調手段と、除湿した空気を座席の着座面から噴出する座席空調手段のそれぞれの特徴を生かし、座席本体に着座した時から快適な冷涼感が簡単な構造で得られ、かつ身体にもやさしい空調座席装置を提供することにある。
【００１３】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記課題を解決するため本発明は、車両に設け、車室内に冷風を吹出す吹出し口を有する冷凍サイクル式の車両空調手段と、車両に設け、車室内の吸引した空気を除湿する除湿手段と除湿した空気を座席本体の着座面から噴出する噴出孔とを有する座席空調手段とを備え、前記車両空調手段と座席空調手段とは、その運転制御を連動させてなる空調座席装置である。
【００１４】
上記手段によれば、連動して運転開始した車両空調手段と座席空調手段は、空調立ち上がりの速い座席空調手段が先に、使用者が乗車して座席本体に着座した時から、車室内の除湿した空気を人体にあて、汗の気化による気化潜熱を奪い冷涼感が得られる人体に直接の空調を行い、他方、空調立ち上がりが遅い車両空調手段は、座席空調手段とともに運転を開始し、座席空調手段が人体に直接の空調を行っている間を利用して効率的に立ち上がり、そして、車両空調手段の空調立ち上がり後には、座席空調手段が冷房空調された車室の低い温度の空気を利用した除湿空気による気化潜熱を奪うことが可能になる。
【００１５】
従って、夏季の炎天下の駐車で高室温になった車室においても、人が座席に着座した時から体感温度を低く感じることができ、かつ除湿空気なので身体にあたっても車両空調手段の冷房空調を身体に直接にあてるより、やさしく感じられ、さらに車両空調手段の冷房能力を利用して一層、前記冷涼感を高め、乗車時から連続して短時間に冷涼感を得ることができるとともに、車両空調手段の冷房能力を利用しているため、構成を簡単にできる。
【００１６】
【発明の実施の形態】
上記した本発明の目的は、各請求項に記載した構成を実施の形態とすることにより達成できるので、以下には各請求項の構成にその構成による作用効果を併記し併せて請求項記載の構成のうち説明を必要とする特定用語については詳細な説明を加えて、本発明における実施の形態の説明とする。
【００１７】
請求項１記載に係る発明は、車両に設け、車室内に冷風を吹出す吹出し口を有する冷凍サイクル式の車両空調手段と、車両に設け、車室内の吸引した空気を除湿する除湿手段と除湿した空気を座席本体の着座面から噴出する噴出孔とを有する座席空調手段とを備え、前記車両空調手段と座席空調手段とは、その運転制御を連動させてなる空調座席装置である。
【００１８】
上記実施の形態によれば、連動して運転開始をした車両空調手段と座席空調手段は、空調立ち上がりの速い座席空調手段が先に、使用者が乗車して座席本体に着座した時から、車室内の空気を除湿して人体にあて、汗の気化による気化潜熱を奪い冷涼感が得られる人体に直接の空調を行い、他方、空調立ち上がりの遅い車両空調手段は、座席空調手段とともに運転を開始し、座席空調手段が人体に直接の空調を行っている間を利用して効率的に立ち上がり、徐々に車室の冷房空調を行い始め、そして、車両空調手段の空調立ち上がり後には、座席空調手段が冷房空調された車室の低い温度の空気を利用した除湿空気による気化潜熱を奪うことが可能になる。
【００１９】
従って、夏季の炎天下の駐車で高室温になった車室においても、人が座席に着座した時から体感温度を低く感じることができ、かつ除湿空気なので身体にあたっても車両空調手段の冷房空調を身体に直接にあてるより、やさしく感じられ、さらに車両空調手段の冷房能力を利用して一層、前記冷涼感を高め、乗車時から連続して短時間に冷涼感を得ることができるとともに、車両空調手段の冷房能力を利用しているため、構成を簡単にできる。
【００２０】
さらに車両空調手段と座席空調手段は、運転制御を連動させるのに、例えば連動運転釦を設ければ、個々の運転釦を操作するのに比べ、一回の操作で済み使い勝手を良くできる。
【００２１】
請求項２記載に係る発明は、車両に設け、車室内に冷風を吹出す吹出し口を有する冷凍サイクル式の車両空調手段と、車両に設け、車室内の吸引した空気を除湿する除湿手段と除湿した空気を座席本体の着座面から噴出する噴出孔とを有する座席空調手段とを備え、除湿手段は水蒸気を吸着して空気を除湿する吸着材と前記吸着材を加熱し再生する加熱手段とで構成している空調座席装置である。
【００２２】
上記実施の形態によれば、座席空調手段の除湿手段は吸引した空気の露点にかかわらず吸着材により除湿できるので、どのような条件でも除湿量を大きくできるが、吸着の際に発生する熱で除湿後の空気の温度が上昇してしまう問題がある。
【００２３】
然るに本実施の形態では、座席空調手段以外に、車両空調手段も備えているので、座席空調手段が車両空調手段により冷房空調された車室の低い温度の空気を利用して気化潜熱を奪うことが可能になり、従って吸着の際に発生する熱で除湿後の空気の温度上昇を比較的に低く抑えられ、吸着材の特長を生かしつつ、快適な冷涼感を得ることができる。
【００２４】
請求項３記載に係る発明は、請求項１または２に記載の空調座席装置にあって、座席空調手段が運転すると、車両空調手段は送風量を増加させるのものである。
【００２５】
上記実施の形態によれば、車室内の空気を除湿して座席本体に着座した人体にあて汗の気化による気化潜熱を奪い冷涼感を得る作用の座席空調手段では、夏季の炎天下での駐車で車室の空気温度が高い時には、前記冷涼感を得る作用が弱まる。然るに、座席空調手段が運転すると、車両空調手段は冷たい空気を車室に多く送り込むので全体として車室の空気の温度が下がり、また吹出し口から吹出す風速が強まるので除湿手段に低温の空気が送られ、この温度低下した車室の空気を座席空調手段は使用して除湿空調を行うことになるから、車室環境の変化にかかわらず安定した能力を発揮し、結果として強い冷涼感を得ることができる。
【００２６】
請求項４記載に係る発明は、請求項１または２記載の空調座席装置にあって、座席空調手段が運転すると、車両空調手段は吹出し空気の温度を低下させるものである。
【００２７】
上記実施の形態によれば、車室内の空気を除湿して座席本体に着座した人体にあて汗の気化による気化潜熱を奪い冷涼感を得る作用の座席空調手段では、夏季の炎天下での駐車で車室の空気温度が高い時には、前記冷涼感を得る作用が弱まる。然るに、座席空調手段が運転すると、車両空調手段の運転能力を増し冷たい空気の温度を更に低下させて車室に送り込むので全体として車室の空気の温度が下がり、この温度低下した車室の空気を座席空調手段は使用して除湿空調を行うことになるから、車室環境の変化にかかわらず安定した能力を発揮し、結果として強い冷涼感を得ることができる。
【００２８】
請求項５記載に係る発明は、請求項１から４のいずれかに記載の空調座席装置にあって、車両空調手段は、複数の吹出し口を有するとともに、前記複数の吹出し口の少なくとも一つの吹出し口は吹出す冷風を、座席空調手段が吸引できるように案内する構成にしたもので、座席空調手段は車両空調手段で冷却された冷たい空気を効率良く取り入れることが可能になり、そして冷たい空気を除湿して着座した身体に吹き付けて汗を気化させて気化潜熱を奪い、結果として強い冷涼感を得ることができる。
【００２９】
請求項６記載に係る発明は、請求項１から５のいずれかに記載の空調座席装置にあって、車両空調手段の運転能力設定に応じて、座席空調手段は運転能力を設定できるように構成したもので、車室内の気温環境に応じて車両空調手段が能力設定を調整すると、これに連動して座席空調手段も運転能力設定が調整されるから、例えば、夏季の炎天下での駐車で車室の空気温度が高いため車両空調手段が、冷房温度を下げれば座席空調手段も気化潜熱を奪う除湿空気の送風量を自動的に増やすことができ、一方の車両空調手段の運転能力設定だけの少ない操作により、他方の座席空調手段の運転能力設定もでき、冷涼感を確実に得られる。
【００３０】
請求項７記載に係る発明は、請求項１から６のいずれかに記載の空調座席装置にあって、車の走行速度に応じて、、座席空調手段は運転能力を設定できるように構成したもので、一般に車両空調手段はエンジンを駆動源にしているので、例えばエンジンの回転数を下げて走行速度を下げると、車両空調手段の能力も低下して車室の空調気温が上がり、このままでは車室の空気を使用している座席空調手段による冷涼感も低下することになる。
【００３１】
然るに座席空調手段は、走行速度が低下した場合、運転能力の設定を例えば除湿した空気の送風量を増大させるようにすれば、走行速度に応じて車両空調手段が能力低下した際でも、これを補い冷涼感を確実に得られるようにできる。
【００３２】
請求項８記載に係る発明は、請求項２から７のいずれかに記載の空調座席装置にあって、加熱手段は表面に吸着材を担持したもので、吸着材を直接に加熱して再生できるので、温度上昇が速く、かつ短時間で再生ができるとともに、それだけ冷涼感を得る運転時間を長くできて冷涼感の向上を図れ、さらに消費電力量を少なくもでき、装置全体の小型化にも繋げることができる。
【００３３】
請求項９記載に係る発明は、請求項８記載の空調座席装置にあって、加熱手段は、金属薄板に切れ込み加工を行い伸張させたエキスパンドメタル、または金属線を編んだ金網、または金属薄板に孔加工を施したパンチングメタル等の多孔体に電流を流す構成にしたものである。
【００３４】
上記実施の形態によれば、エキスパンドメタルの切れ込みの切り欠き仕様や、金網の素線径・織目間隔、パンチングメタルの孔径やピッチなどの孔あけ仕様を変更することによって、容易に、かつ精度良く金属体の抵抗値を調節することができるため、所望の発熱体をたやすく実現できる。
【００３５】
また、多孔体のためデッピング等によって吸着材を担持する場合に担持しやすく、また表面積が大きくなるので除湿手段の単位面積あたりの吸着スピードが速くなり、座席空調手段のうち、空気を吸引し、除湿する除湿手段を中心とする例えば空調ユニット部分を小型化することができる。
【００３６】
【実施例】
以下本発明の実施例につき、図１〜図８を参照して説明する。
【００３７】
（実施例１）
図１は本発明の実施例１における自動車に冷凍サイクル式の車両空調手段と座席に座席空調手段とをそれぞれ設けた空調座席装置の構成図で、図２は同空調座席装置における除湿手段の再生時の構成図である。
【００３８】
１は座部２および背部３を有する自動車等の座席本体で、座席を構成する部材としての表皮４、人体の着座感をよくするクッション材５、これを保持して人体を支え座席の機能として働く座席筐体６等からなる。そして、座席本体１は、例えば自動車７の限られた一定空間の室内である車室８において、その床である床９に、互いに隣接して二つ並べて設置してある。
【００３９】
座席本体１は、床９に近い座部２の座席筐体６内に、一つの除湿空調ユニット１０を内装し、座部２および背部３に着座した人の背および腰部、大腿部にかけて面する表皮４より、除湿した空気が吹き出るように構成した座席空調手段１１を設けている。除湿空調ユニット１０は、ユニットケース１０ａに次に説明する構成手段を一体に内蔵して構成されている。
【００４０】
すなわち、構成手段として車室８の空気を吸引し、送風するシロッコファンを使用した送風容量の可変な送風機１２と、送風機１２の吸気側に位置し、かつ座席本体１の座部２の下部側に向けて開口した空気を吸引する吸気口１３と、送風機１２により送風された空気の湿気を、コルゲート状や粒状のシリカゲルや活性アルミナ等の吸着材１４で吸着する除湿手段１５と、吸着材１４を加熱して吸着した湿気を蒸発させ、吸着材１４の再生を図る再生手段としての電気ヒータ１６と、吸着材１４の再生時に、蒸発した湿気を含む空気を排出する排出通路１７と、除湿した空気を座部２および背部３の表皮４より吹き出るように案内する除湿空気通路１８と、排出通路１７と除湿空気通路１８を切替える電動式の風路切替手段１９と、座部２および背部３における人が着座する表皮４に多数開口し、除湿および自然熱交換された空気を座席本体１に着座した人体に向って噴出する噴出口２０等で構成されている。
【００４１】
除湿空調ユニット１０は、一つで以って、除湿空気を座部２と背部３に送るため、座部２と背部３のそれぞれの除湿空気通路１８に、座席本体１に設けた分岐通路１８ａを介して接続している。従って、分岐通路１８ａも除湿空気通路を構成する一手段となる。２１は排出通路１７の排気口である。
【００４２】
２２は、冷凍サイクル方式の冷凍装置で構成した車両空調手段で、圧縮機２３、凝縮器２４、減圧器２５、蒸発器２６を配管で環状に接続して冷媒が循環するように構成し、送風容量の可変な送風機２７により吸引した空気を蒸発器２６と熱交換させて冷たい空調空気を運転席前部２８に開口させた吹出し口２９から車室８に吹出して間接的に空調するものである。圧縮機２３はエンジン３０を駆動源として回転する。
【００４３】
３１は座席空調手段１１と車両空調手段２２との両方の運転等の操作を指示する操作設定手段で、座席空調手段１１と車両空調手段２２の両方を一回の操作で連動運転と停止の指示をする連動運転釦（図示せず）と、座席空調手段１１と車両空調手段２２を、個々に独立して運転と停止の指示をする独立運転釦（図示せず）および個々に独立して運転能力を設定する運転能力設定釦（図示せず）、吸着材１４の再生を行う時に指示する再生釦（図示せず）等を備えている。
【００４４】
３２は、マイクロコンピュータおよびその周辺回路からなる制御手段で、操作設定手段３１の指示を取り込み、この取り込んだ指示により座席空調手段１１と車両空調手段２２を運転制御するシーケンスを実行するプログラムを内蔵している。すなわち、制御手段３２は座席空調手段１１の送風機１２、電気ヒータ１６、風路切替手段１９と、また車両空調手段２２の圧縮機２３、送風機２７とそれぞれ電気的に接続している。
【００４５】
そして、制御手段３２は操作設定手段３１の連動運転釦のＯＮ、ＯＦＦの指示を取り込むと、座席空調手段１１と車両空調手段２２を連動して運転および停止を行うとともに、車両空調手段２２の送風機２７に送風量を、単独運転時よりも増大させるように制御信号を送る、または吹出し口２９からの吹出し空気の温度を、単独運転時よりも低下させるように冷凍サイクルにおける冷媒循環量を制御する制御信号を送るプログラムを有する。
【００４６】
また、制御手段３２は座席空調手段１１と車両空調手段２２との連動運転において、操作設定手段３１における車両空調手段２２の運転能力設定釦により能力増減の調整を指示すると、この指示を取り込んで座席空調手段１１の運転能力設定の調整指示を自動的に、座席空調手段１１の送風機１２に制御信号を送って行うプログラムを有している。
【００４７】
さらに、制御手段３２は座席空調手段１１と車両空調手段２２との連動運転において、圧縮機２３を介して車の走行速度に応じた信号を取り込み、この信号に反比例して座席空調手段１１の運転能力設定の調整指示を自動的に、座席空調手段１１の送風機１２に制御信号を送って行うプログラムも有している。
【００４８】
さらに制御手段３２は操作設定手段３１の再生釦を操作すると、この信号を取り込んで送風機１２の回転を停止させるとともに、電気ヒータ１６に通電し、かつ電動風路切替手段１９を切替えて除湿空気通路１８側を閉じ、排出通路１７を開くように制御信号を、送風機１２、電気ヒータ１６、電動風路切替手段１９に送るプログラムも有している。３３は電源で、制御手段３２はもちろん、座席空調手段１１および車両空調手段２２への電力を供給する。
【００４９】
上記実施例において、自動車に搭載した空調座席装置である座席空調手段１１と車両空調手段２２の動作と作用を説明する。一般に夏季の炎天下での駐車で車室８は室温が３５℃以上に上昇し、座席本体１の表皮４も６０℃程度に上昇する。そして、運転者が乗車する際にエンジン３０の始動と操作設定手段３１の連動運転釦を操作すると、制御手段３２により座席空調手段１１と車両空調手段２２がともに運転を開始する。そして、座席空調手段１１の除湿空調ユニット１０の送風機１２が回転し、風路切替手段１９が排出通路１７を閉じて除湿空気通路１８を、分岐通路１８ａを介して除湿手段１５の吐出側に連通する。
【００５０】
そして、送風機１２により吸気口１３から吸引された車室８の空気、例えば温度３５℃、湿度５５％の空気は、吸着材１４に０．２ｍ３／分の流量で送り込まれ、吸着材１４で水蒸気が吸着されて湿度が低下するとともに、吸着熱で発熱して高温低湿度の空気となり、分岐通路１８ａを介して除湿空気通路１８に入って多数の噴出口２０へ案内されるため拡散する。
【００５１】
さらに、この広がった高温低湿度の空気は、座席本体１の噴出口２０に至るまでの間に、分岐通路１８ａ、除湿空気通路１８の構成部材、クッション材５、表皮４で熱が奪われて自然に熱交換が行われ、温度３７℃、湿度２０％の低湿度の空気となって座席本体１の座部２、背部３の噴出口２０から着座している人体に向って噴出し、大腿部、腰部、背中部を流れる。従って、人体表面の汗を気化させることで気化潜熱を奪い、より冷涼感を得ることができるとともに、座席本体１の着座面に接していなくても、その方向に向いている着座外の人体部分でも噴出した空気が当たり気化潜熱を奪われ、広範囲の人体部分に確実に冷涼感を与えることができる。
【００５２】
一方、車両空調手段２２は座席空調手段１１とともに既に始動しており、座席空調手段１１が人体に直接の除湿空調を行っている間に、冷媒が圧縮機２３により凝縮器２４、減圧器２５、蒸発器２６、圧縮機２３と循環し、そして送風機２７により送られて蒸発器２６で熱交換した空気が徐々に温度低下して効率的に立ち上がり、冷風が吹出し口２９より車室８内に吹出して車室８の空調を行い始める。
【００５３】
このように座席空調手段１１より空調立ち上がりの遅い車両空調手段２２が空調を行い始めると、吹出し口２９から出た冷たい空気は、空調の仕事をした空気も含め点線矢印で示すように、どうしても車室８の床９の近辺にも溜まり込み始め、この冷たい空気を座席空調手段１１は、吸気口１３から吸引し除湿して噴出口２０から噴出する。従って、吸着材１４で除湿した際に発生する熱で冷たい空気が加熱されても、座席空調手段１１のみが空調作用を行っていた時よりも、遥かに低い温度の除湿された空気となり、着座している人体表面の汗を積極的に気化させ気化潜熱を奪い、強い冷涼感を得ることができるようになる。
【００５４】
また、車両空調手段２２だけでなく座席空調手段１１も運転している信号を取り込んだ制御手段３２は、車両空調手段２２の送風機２７の送風量を増大させるか、または吹出し口２９からの吹出し空気の温度を低下させる制御を、車両空調手段２２に指示するのである。従って、車両空調手段２２の吹出し口２９からは、単独運転時よりも冷風を多く吹出し、または温度の低い冷風を吹出すのである。
【００５５】
従って、車両空調手段２２は座席空調手段１１により、空調した車室８の空気を使用されても、本来の車室８の空調には何ら支障きたすことなく安定した冷房空調を行い、一方、座席空調手段１１は車両空調手段２２の吹出し口２９からの多量の冷風、または温度の低い冷風を使用することが可能になり、上記した着座している人体表面の汗を気化させ気化潜熱を奪い冷涼感を得る作用を、一層強めることができる。
【００５６】
さらに、夏季の炎天下での駐車で車室８の温度が極めて高い時には、座席空調手段１１と車両空調手段２２との両方を連動させるとともに、車両空調手段２２の操作設定手段３１における運転能力設定釦を操作して例えば、吹出し口２９らの吹出し空気の量を多く、または温度を下げる指示をすると、この指示および連動運転の指示を取り込んだ制御手段３２は、座席空調手段１１の送風機１２の送風量を高めるよう自動的に座席空調手段１１の運転能力設定の調整が行われ、車室８の気温環境に対し、一方の車両空調手段２２の運転能力設定釦を操作するだけで両者の運転能力設定ができ、充分な空調を行うことができるとともに、対応操作も簡単にできる。
【００５７】
さらに、このようにして座席空調手段１１と車両空調手段２２との両方を連動させて運転し、道路を走行している時に自動車の速度が変わると、この速度変化の信号を取り込んだ制御手段３２は、例えば走行速度が低下すると車両空調手段２２は圧縮機２３の回転数が下がり冷房能力が低下するので、反対に座席空調手段１１には送風機１２に送風量を増すように制御信号を送り、除湿空調の能力を増大させるのである。従って、車両空調手段２２における自動車の走行速度の変化で冷房能力が変化しても、座席空調手段１１は常に安定した能力を発揮し、安定した除湿空調を行うことができる。
【００５８】
さらに、このようにして座席空調手段１１を運転させて除湿空調を行うと、除湿手段１５の吸着材１４は湿気が飽和して徐々に能力が低下してくる。このような状態になった時は、操作設定手段３１の再生釦をＯＮ、ＯＦＦして座席空調手段１１の除湿手段１５の再生を行う。
【００５９】
すなわち、操作設定手段３１の再生釦により再生指示をすると、この信号を取り込んだ制御手段３２は図２に示すように送風機１２の回転を停止させるとともに、電気ヒータ１６に通電し、かつ電動風路切替手段１９を切替えて除湿空気通路１８側を閉じ、排出通路１７を開くように制御信号を送るのである。そして、電気ヒータ１６で加熱された吸着材１４からは水蒸気が蒸発して湿気を含んだ空気が、矢印で示すように吸気口１３と排気口２１との間に生じる自然対流により排気口２１から車室８の床９の付近に排出され、一定時間後に再生が完了する。この再生が完了すれば、再び座席空調手段１１の使用が可能になる。
【００６０】
なお、上記実施例で除湿手段１５として吸着材１４を使用したが、これに限定されるものではなく、例えばペルチェー素子や圧縮式冷凍サイクルを用いて、空気中の水蒸気を結露させるものでも、本発明と同等の作用効果を期待できる。
【００６１】
（実施例２）
図３は本発明の実施例２における自動車に冷凍サイクル式の車両空調手段と座席に座席空調手段とをそれぞれ設けた空調座席装置の構成図である。本実施例は、車両空調手段の車室内への空気の吹出し口を複数設け、少なくとも一つの吹出し口を座席空調手段の近傍へ空気を案内できるようにした点等で実施例１の発明と異なり、それ以外の同一構成並びに作用効果を奏するところには同一符号を付して詳細な説明を省略し、異なるところを中心に図１も利用して説明する。
【００６２】
運転席前部２８には、車両空調手段２２の吹出し口２９の以外に、もう一つの吹出し口２９ａを設けている。この吹出し口２９ａは、吹出す空気を座席空調手段１１の近傍へ積極的に案内できるように構成している。すなわち、吹出し口２９ａは、座席本体１の座部２の下側に配置した除湿空調ユニット１０の吸気口１３が、吹出し口２９ａから吹出した冷風を積極的に吸引できるように配置および向き等を含めて設定した構成にしてある。３４は車両空調手段２２の吹出し口２９と吹出し口２９ａの両方、またはそれぞれ単独に使用するために風路を切替える電動風路切替手段である。
【００６３】
制御手段３２は、電動風路切替手段３４と電気的に接続して、操作設定手段３１の連動運転釦を操作すると、この信号を取り込んで電動風路切替手段３４を実線で示す位置に回転させ、吹出し口２９を完全に閉じ、吹出し口２９ａを完全に開き、一定時間後に点線で示す位置に回転させ、吹出し口２９ａを完全に閉じ、吹出し口２９を完全に開くか、またはその吹出し口２９と吹出し口２９ａの両方が使用できる位置に回転させるかの制御シーケンスを実行するプログラムを有している。
【００６４】
上記実施例において、座席空調手段１１による座席本体１を介しての人体に対する除湿空調と車両空調手段２２による車室８の冷房空調の動作と作用は、実施例１において説明した通りである。そして、座席空調手段１１と車両空調手段２２との両方が連動して運転すると制御手段３２は、電動風路切替手段３４を回転させて吹出し口２９を閉じるので、完全に開いた吹出し口２９ａのみから冷風が吹出し、この冷風を点線矢印で示すように座席空調手段１１の吸気口１３の方向に吹出し口２９ａが案内するのである。そして、座席空調手段１１は温度の低い空気を吸気口１３から吸引し除湿して噴出孔２０から、座席本体１に着座した人体に向って吹きつけるのである。
【００６５】
従って、夏季の炎天下で駐車中なので車室８の温度が極めて高い時には、温度の低い空気を使用した除湿空調の一定時間の作用で、汗をかいた人体に始めから積極的に冷涼感を与えて短時間のうちに使用者の気持ちを、ひとまず和らげることができる。そして、一定時間が経過すると制御手段３２は電動風路切替手段３４を回転させて点線矢印の位置にして吹出し口２９からのみ冷風を吹出して車室８を積極的に冷房空調するようになる、または吹出し口２９、２９ａの両方から冷風が分散して吹き出るようになる。そして、いずれにしても座席空調手段１１は、床９の付近に溜まりだす冷たい空気を、除湿空気に使用することには変わりはないのである。
【００６６】
なお、制御手段３２による電動風路切替手段３４の制御において、上記実施例で説明した形態に限定されるものではなく、座席空調手段１１と車両空調手段２２との両方が連動して運転を開始した時点から運転停止までずっと、冷風が吹出し口２９と吹出し口２９ａの両方から吹き出るようにしても良く、また座席空調手段１１による除湿空調作用が一定時間を経過した後における吹出し口２９、２９ａの開き具合は、車室８の気温環境に応じて選択できるようにしても良いものである。
【００６７】
なお、上記実施例において吹出し口２９ａは一つしか図示していないが、複数であっても良いものであり、またその位置も図示した例に限定されるものではなく、例えば床９に開口しても良く、所期の目的を達成できる範囲内で種々変更できるものである。
【００６８】
（実施例３）
図４は本発明の実施例３における空調座席装置において、座席空調手段に使用した除湿手段の概略斜視図で、図５は同座席空調手段に使用した除湿手段の断面図で、図６は同座席空調手段に使用した除湿手段の展開図で、図７は同座席空調手段に使用した他の除湿手段の展開図で、図８も同座席空調手段に使用した他の除湿手段の展開図である。本実施例は、座席空調手段に使用した除湿手段の構成を特定した点で実施例１、２の発明と異なり、それ以外の同一構成並びに作用効果を奏するところには同一符号を付して詳細な説明を省略し、異なるところを中心に図１、図２を利用して説明する。
【００６９】
本実施例における除湿手段１５は、吸着材１４と再生手段である電気ヒータ１６としての加熱手段を一体に構成したもので、例えば電気ヒータ１６となる帯状の電気抵抗発熱体１６ａを波形状に加工し、その表面に吸着材１４を担持させて構成している。そして、波形状に加工した部分を、空気の流れる方向と平行にして配置する。図中、１６ｂは端子である。
【００７０】
上記実施例において、除湿空調ユニット１０の除湿手段１５は内部に電気ヒータ１６を備えているので、吸着材１４の再生時において通電により電気ヒータ１６が直接に吸着材１４を加熱し、その熱が効率よく吸着材１４に伝わり、吸着材１４の昇温速度が速くなる。つまり、再生時間を短くしても吸着材１４に吸着している大部分の水蒸気が放出されることになる。
【００７１】
従って、短時間で吸着能力が回復するため、例えば座席空調手段１１の除湿空調ユニット１０の除湿空調モードと再生モードを繰り返して使用する形態でも、充分な除湿空調能力を発揮することができるとともに、除湿手段１５を大幅に小型化することができ、除湿空調ユニット１０の小型化で座席本体１への除湿空調ユニット１０の組み込みも容易になる。また、吸着材１４を電気ヒータ１６が直接に加熱するため、空気を加熱することが少なくなるため電力消費も少なくできる。
【００７２】
さらに、除湿手段１５は長期に使用せずに放置された場合でも、大気中の水蒸気を自然に吸着するのを防止するための厳重なシールが不要となり、この点からも小型化が可能になり、除湿空調ユニット１０の一層の小型化が図れる。
【００７３】
電気抵抗発熱体１６ａとしては、図６に示すようにステンレス等の金属薄板に切れ込み加工を行い伸長させたエキスパンドメタル３６、または図７に示すようにステンレス金属線を編んだ金網３７、または図８に示すようにステンレスの金属薄板に多数の孔加工を施したパンチングメタル３８等の多孔体の表面に、図５に示すように水酸化アルミニウムや硝酸セリウム等を燒結させたアンダコート３９を施し、このアンダコート３９の表面にゼオライト、チタンシリケート、シリカゲル、活性アルミナ等の吸着材１４を担持させて構成している。
【００７４】
このような電気抵抗発熱体１６ａを使用した除湿手段では、エキスパンドメタル、金網、パンチングメタルのいずれにも多数の孔があるので、吸着材４を担持させる面積が増えて吸着面が広がり、結果として吸着能力を高めることができるとともに、平板の金属薄板を使用したものに比し、低熱容量となり吸着材１４の再生時間を短くすることもできる。
【００７５】
【発明の効果】
以上のように本発明は、車両空調手段と座席空調手段のそれぞれの特徴を生かして運転制御することにより、座席本体に着座した時から快適な冷涼感が簡単な構造で得られ、かつ身体にもやさしい空調を行うことができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施例１における自動車に搭載した冷凍サイクル式の車両空調手段と座席空調手段とを備えた空調座席装置の概略構成図
【図２】同実施例１における空調座席装置における除湿手段の再生時の構成図
【図３】本発明の実施例２における自動車に搭載した冷凍サイクル式の車両空調手段と座席空調手段とを備えた空調座席装置の概略構成図
【図４】本発明の実施例３における空調座席装置で、座席空調手段の除湿手段の概略斜視図
【図５】同実施例３における空調座席装置で、座席空調手段の除湿手段の断面図
【図６】同実施例３における空調座席装置で、座席空調手段の除湿手段の展開図
【図７】同実施例３における空調座席装置で、座席空調手段の他の除湿手段の展開図
【図８】同実施例３における空調座席装置で、座席空調手段の他の除湿手段の展開図
【図９】従来例における自動車の座席に搭載した空調座席装置の概略構成図
【図１０】同空調座席装置における空気乾燥装置部分の構成図
【符号の説明】
１ 座席本体
８ 車室
１１ 座席空調手段
１４ 吸着材
１５ 除湿手段
１６ 電気ヒータ（加熱手段）
２０ 噴出孔
２２ 車両空調手段
３２ 制御手段
２９、２９ａ 吹出し口
３６ エキスパンドメタル
３７ 金網
３８ パンチングメタル[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention dehumidifies the air in the vehicle compartment where the seat is provided from the surface of the refrigeration cycle type vehicle air-conditioning means having a blowout port for blowing cold air into the vehicle interior and the seat portion, back portion, etc. of the seat of an automobile or the like. The air conditioning system is equipped with a seat air-conditioning means that blows out and applies dehumidified air to the human body seated on the seat, so that both of the above-mentioned means can provide a comfortable seating feeling not only when the environmental temperature is high but also when sitting for a long time. The present invention relates to a seat device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional air-conditioning seat device using a hygroscopic material, a device as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-123959 (see, for example, Patent Document 1) is disclosed. In this air conditioning seat device, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the backrest portion 60 has an air passage 61 therein, and the non-ventilation between the backrest portion 60 and the air passage 61 is in accordance with the water vapor partial pressure gradient. A moisture permeable layer 62 having both properties and moisture permeability is arranged, and the air passage 61 has a structure in which moisture permeated through the moisture permeable layer 62 flows from the backrest portion 60 as indicated by an arrow. .
[0003]
On the other hand, the dry air dried through the air drying device 63 provided with a hygroscopic material is passed through the air passage 61, whereby the water vapor flowing into the air passage 61 is dried and discharged from the exhaust port 61a. The moisture permeable layer 62 permeates water vapor on the outside of the backrest portion 60 (such as the sweat of the human body on the backrest portion) by continuing the above operation, and the water vapor evaporates in dry air.
[0004]
The air drying device 63 has reaction vessels 64 and 65 filled with a hygroscopic material such as zeolite or silica gel having air inlets 66 and 67, and electric heaters 68 and 69 integrated respectively. The flow path is switched to the air outlet 71 connected to the inlet of the air passage 61 by the driven air flap 70 and the air inlet 72 opened to the outside air.
[0005]
In the above configuration, in order to continuously operate the air drying device 63, the two reaction vessels 64 and 65 are alternately switched to the moisture absorption process and the regeneration process. When one reaction vessel 64 is regenerated by the electric heater 68 (regeneration process), the other reaction vessel 65 dries the air flowing through the inside by the moisture absorption action of the adsorbent material, and heats the temperature of the air with the heat of adsorption. Yes (moisture absorption process). When the adsorbent in the reaction vessel 65 is saturated, the air flap 70 is switched as shown by a broken line, the electric heater 69 is energized to regenerate the reaction vessel 65, and the reaction vessel 64 dries the air flowing through the inside by the moisture absorption action of the adsorbent material. Let
[0006]
In such a device, sweat generated in the human body is not absorbed except where it touches the seat, and the amount of absorption is small because moisture is absorbed through the clothing and the permeable layer 62. In addition, it is considered that the air emitted from the air drying device 63 has a high temperature due to adsorption heat, and it is difficult to obtain a cool feeling even if the air is blown from the seating surface of the seat as it is.
[0007]
Furthermore, if such an air-conditioning seat device is installed in a car seat, it can be considered that it is used in combination with a cooling air-conditioning device which is a refrigeration cycle type refrigeration device already installed, that is, a car air-conditioner.
[0008]
However, since a car air conditioner is a refrigeration cycle type refrigeration system, it takes a certain amount of time to obtain cold air by exchanging heat with the air. It takes time to reach the cooling air conditioning area. Therefore, generally, in an environment where the room temperature of a passenger compartment parked under hot weather in summer rises to a high temperature and the surface of the seat rises above the high temperature, it is difficult to make the air conditioning area for a while.
[0009]
On the other hand, as described above, in the air-conditioning seat device, it is considered that the human body seated in the seat absorbs sweat slowly, and high-temperature air is released into the passenger compartment by the heat of adsorption emitted from the air drying device. From the above, it seems that it is difficult to obtain a cool feeling after sitting on a seat in a passenger compartment that has become a high room temperature due to parking under hot weather in summer.
[0010]
As described above, since both of the above air conditioners have their own circumstances, it is considered difficult to desire an air conditioner that can satisfy even if they are simply combined.
[0011]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 11-123959 A
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In view of the possible problems in the prior art, the problems to be solved by the present invention are the characteristics of the refrigeration cycle type vehicle air conditioning means and the seat air conditioning means for ejecting dehumidified air from the seating surface of the seat. It is an object of the present invention to provide an air-conditioning seat device that can provide a comfortable cooling feeling with a simple structure from the time it is seated on the seat body and that is also gentle on the body.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a refrigeration cycle type vehicle air-conditioning means provided in a vehicle and having a blow-out port for blowing cold air into the vehicle interior, and a dehumidifying means provided in the vehicle and dehumidifying the air sucked in the vehicle interior. The vehicle air-conditioning means and the seat air-conditioning means are air-conditioning seat devices that are linked to their operation control. The seat air-conditioning means includes an ejection hole for ejecting dehumidified air from the seating surface of the seat body.
[0014]
According to the above means, the vehicle air conditioning means and the seat air conditioning means that have started to operate in conjunction with each other can be dehumidified in the passenger compartment after the user gets on the seat body and the seat air conditioning means that starts up quickly. The air conditioning unit directly applies air conditioning to the human body and removes the latent heat of vaporization caused by the vaporization of sweat to obtain a cool feeling. The air conditioner starts up efficiently using the air conditioning directly on the human body, and after the air conditioning of the vehicle air conditioning means starts, the seat air conditioning means uses the low-temperature air in the air-conditioned cabin. It becomes possible to take away the latent heat of vaporization by the dehumidified air.
[0015]
Therefore, even in a passenger compartment that is heated to a high temperature due to parking under hot weather in summer, the temperature of the sensible air can be felt low when a person is seated in the seat, and the air conditioning means of the vehicle air conditioning means is also applied to the body because it is dehumidified air. The vehicle air-conditioning means can be felt more gently than directly applied to the vehicle, further enhances the cooling sensation by using the cooling capacity of the vehicle air-conditioning means, and can obtain a cooling sensation in a short time continuously from the time of boarding. Since the cooling capacity of the system is used, the configuration can be simplified.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Since the object of the present invention described above can be achieved by using the configuration described in each claim as an embodiment, the effects of the configuration will be described together with the configuration of each claim. The specific terms that require explanation in the configuration will be described in detail in the embodiment of the present invention by adding a detailed explanation.
[0017]
The invention according to claim 1 is provided in a vehicle and has a refrigeration cycle type vehicle air-conditioning means having a blow-out port for blowing cold air into the vehicle interior, a dehumidifying means provided in the vehicle and dehumidifying the air sucked in the vehicle interior, and dehumidification The vehicle air-conditioning means and the seat air-conditioning means are air-conditioning seat devices that are linked to the operation control thereof. The seat air-conditioning means has an ejection hole for ejecting the air from the seating surface of the seat body.
[0018]
According to the above-described embodiment, the vehicle air-conditioning means and the seat air-conditioning means that have started operation in conjunction with each other are the vehicles that have been installed since the seat air-conditioning means with a fast air-conditioning start-up and the user gets on and sits on the seat body. Dehumidify the indoor air and apply it to the human body to take away the latent heat of vaporization caused by sweat vaporization and directly cool the human body to obtain a cool feeling. On the other hand, the vehicle air-conditioning means with slow air-conditioning start operation together with the seat air-conditioning means Then, the seat air-conditioning means rises efficiently using the direct air-conditioning to the human body, gradually starts to cool and air-condition the cabin, and after the vehicle air-conditioning means starts up, the seat air-conditioning means However, it is possible to take away the latent heat of vaporization by the dehumidified air using the low-temperature air in the air-conditioned cabin.
[0019]
Therefore, even in a passenger compartment that is heated to a high temperature due to parking under hot weather in summer, the temperature of the sensible air can be felt low when a person is seated in the seat, and the air conditioning means of the vehicle air conditioning means is also applied to the body because it is dehumidified air. The vehicle air-conditioning means can be felt more gently than directly applied to the vehicle, further enhances the cooling sensation by using the cooling capacity of the vehicle air-conditioning means, and can obtain a cooling sensation in a short time continuously from the time of boarding. Since the cooling capacity of the system is used, the configuration can be simplified.
[0020]
Further, the vehicle air-conditioning means and the seat air-conditioning means can be operated in a single operation compared to operating individual operation buttons, for example, by providing an interlock operation button to link the operation control.
[0021]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigeration cycle type vehicle air-conditioning means that is provided in a vehicle and has a blowout opening for blowing cold air into the vehicle interior, and a dehumidifying means that is provided in the vehicle and dehumidifies the air sucked in the vehicle interior. A seat air-conditioning means having an ejection hole for ejecting the air from the seating surface of the seat body, and the dehumidifying means includes an adsorbent that adsorbs water vapor and dehumidifies the air, and a heating means that heats and regenerates the adsorbent. It is the air-conditioning seat apparatus which comprises.
[0022]
According to the above embodiment, the dehumidifying means of the seat air-conditioning means can dehumidify with the adsorbent regardless of the dew point of the sucked air, so the dehumidification amount can be increased under any conditions, but the heat generated during the adsorption There is a problem that the temperature of the air after dehumidification rises.
[0023]
However, in the present embodiment, in addition to the seat air-conditioning means, the vehicle air-conditioning means is also provided, so that the seat air-conditioning means takes the latent heat of vaporization by using the low-temperature air in the passenger compartment that is air-conditioned by the vehicle air-conditioning means. Therefore, the temperature rise of the air after dehumidification can be suppressed to a relatively low level by the heat generated during adsorption, and a comfortable cooling feeling can be obtained while taking advantage of the features of the adsorbent.
[0024]
The invention according to claim 3 is the air-conditioning seat device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vehicle air-conditioning means increases the air flow rate when the seat air-conditioning means is operated.
[0025]
According to the above-described embodiment, the seat air-conditioning means that deprives the human body seated on the seat body by dehumidifying the air in the passenger compartment and removes the latent heat of vaporization due to vaporization of sweat to obtain a cool feeling. When the air temperature in the passenger compartment is high, the effect of obtaining the cool feeling is weakened. However, when the seat air-conditioning means is operated, the vehicle air-conditioning means sends a lot of cold air into the passenger compartment, so that the temperature of the passenger compartment air as a whole decreases, and the wind speed blown out from the outlet increases, so that low-temperature air is supplied to the dehumidifying means. The seat air conditioning means uses the air in the passenger compartment that has been sent and the air temperature has been lowered to perform dehumidification air conditioning, so that it exhibits stable performance regardless of changes in the passenger compartment environment, resulting in a strong cooling sensation. be able to.
[0026]
The invention according to claim 4 is the air-conditioning seat device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vehicle air-conditioning means lowers the temperature of the blown air when the seat air-conditioning means is operated.
[0027]
According to the above-described embodiment, the seat air-conditioning means that deprives the human body seated on the seat body by dehumidifying the air in the passenger compartment and removes the latent heat of vaporization due to vaporization of sweat to obtain a cool feeling. When the air temperature in the passenger compartment is high, the effect of obtaining the cool feeling is weakened. However, when the seat air-conditioning means is operated, the driving capacity of the vehicle air-conditioning means is increased, and the temperature of the cold air is further lowered and sent to the passenger compartment. As a result, the temperature of the passenger compartment air is lowered as a whole. The seat air-conditioning means is used to perform dehumidification air-conditioning, so that stable performance is exhibited regardless of changes in the cabin environment, and as a result, a strong cooling feeling can be obtained.
[0028]
The invention according to claim 5 is the air-conditioning seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the vehicle air-conditioning means has a plurality of outlets and at least one outlet of the plurality of outlets. The mouth is configured to guide the cool air blown out so that the seat air-conditioning means can suck it. The seat air-conditioning means can efficiently take in the cold air cooled by the vehicle air-conditioning means, and It can be sprayed on the body dehumidified and vaporized to evaporate sweat and take away latent heat of vaporization, resulting in a strong cool feeling.
[0029]
The invention according to claim 6 is the air-conditioning seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the seat air-conditioning means can set the driving capacity in accordance with the driving capacity setting of the vehicle air-conditioning means. Therefore, if the vehicle air conditioning means adjusts the capacity setting according to the temperature environment in the passenger compartment, the seat air conditioning means also adjusts the driving capacity setting accordingly. Because the air temperature in the room is high, if the vehicle air-conditioning means lowers the cooling temperature, the seat air-conditioning means can also automatically increase the volume of dehumidified air that takes away the latent heat of vaporization. With less operation, the driving capacity of the other seat air-conditioning means can be set, and a cool feeling can be obtained with certainty.
[0030]
The invention according to claim 7 is the air-conditioning seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the seat air-conditioning means is configured so that the driving ability can be set according to the traveling speed of the vehicle. In general, since the vehicle air-conditioning means uses an engine as a drive source, for example, if the engine speed is reduced to lower the traveling speed, the capacity of the vehicle air-conditioning means also decreases and the air-conditioning temperature in the passenger compartment increases. The cool feeling by the seat air-conditioning means using the room air is also reduced.
[0031]
However, if the seat air-conditioning means decreases the traveling speed, the setting of the driving capacity, for example, increases the blast volume of the dehumidified air, even if the vehicle air-conditioning means decreases in capacity according to the traveling speed. Complementary cooling can be ensured.
[0032]
The invention according to claim 8 is the air-conditioning seat device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the heating means carries the adsorbent on the surface and can be regenerated by directly heating the adsorbent. As a result, the temperature rises quickly and can be played back in a short time, and the operating time for obtaining a cool feeling can be lengthened to improve the cool feeling, further reducing power consumption and reducing the overall size of the device. Can be connected.
[0033]
The invention according to claim 9 is the air conditioning seat device according to claim 8, wherein the heating means is an expanded metal obtained by cutting and stretching a metal thin plate, or a metal mesh knitted with a metal wire, or a metal thin plate. In this configuration, an electric current is passed through a porous body such as punched metal subjected to hole machining.
[0034]
According to the above embodiment, it is easy and accurate by changing notching specifications of expanded metal notches, punching specifications such as wire mesh strand diameter / weave spacing, punching metal hole diameter and pitch, etc. Since the resistance value of the metal body can be adjusted well, a desired heating element can be easily realized.
[0035]
In addition, because it is a porous body, it is easy to carry an adsorbent by dipping or the like, and since the surface area is large, the adsorption speed per unit area of the dehumidifying means is increased, and the seat air-conditioning means sucks air, For example, the air conditioning unit portion centering on the dehumidifying means for dehumidifying can be reduced in size.
[0036]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
[0037]
(Example 1)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an air-conditioning seat apparatus in which a vehicle is provided with a refrigeration cycle type vehicle air-conditioning means and a seat air-conditioning means in a vehicle according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a regeneration of dehumidifying means in the air-conditioning seat apparatus. It is a block diagram at the time.
[0038]
Reference numeral 1 denotes a seat body of an automobile or the like having a seat portion 2 and a back portion 3, an outer skin 4 as a member constituting the seat, a cushion material 5 for improving the seating feeling of the human body, and holding this to support the human body as a seat function It consists of a working seat housing 6 and the like. And the seat main body 1 is installed side by side adjacent to each other on the floor 9 which is the floor of the passenger compartment 8 which is a room of a limited space of the automobile 7, for example.
[0039]
The seat body 1 includes a single dehumidifying air-conditioning unit 10 in the seat housing 6 of the seat 2 close to the floor 9, and faces the back, waist, and thighs of a person seated on the seat 2 and the back 3. A seat air-conditioning means 11 configured to blow out dehumidified air from the outer skin 4 is provided. The dehumidifying air-conditioning unit 10 is configured by integrally incorporating the constituent means described below in the unit case 10a.
[0040]
That is, the air blower 12 having a variable air blowing capacity using a sirocco fan that sucks and blows air in the passenger compartment 8 as a constituent means, and the lower side of the seat portion 2 of the seat body 1 located on the air intake side of the air blower 12 A dehumidifying means 15 for adsorbing the moisture of the air blown by the blower 12 with an adsorbent 14 such as corrugated or granular silica gel or activated alumina, and an adsorbent 14. The heater 14 is heated to evaporate the adsorbed moisture to regenerate the adsorbent 14, and the adsorbent 14 is regenerated. The adsorbent 14 is regenerated, the discharge passage 17 for discharging the air containing the evaporated moisture, and the dehumidified. A dehumidifying air passage 18 that guides air so as to blow out from the skin 2 of the seat portion 2 and the back portion 3; an electrically driven air passage switching means 19 that switches between the discharge passage 17 and the dehumidifying air passage 18; Fine person in the back 3 are numerous openings in the skin 4 to be seated, and a dehumidifying and natural heat exchanged air ejection outlet 20 spurted toward the human body sitting on the seat body 1.
[0041]
The dehumidifying air-conditioning unit 10 sends a dehumidified air to the seat portion 2 and the back portion 3 alone, so that the dehumidifying air passage 18 of each of the seat portion 2 and the back portion 3 has a branch passage 18 a provided in the seat body 1. Connected through. Therefore, the branch passage 18a is also a means for constituting the dehumidified air passage. Reference numeral 21 denotes an exhaust port of the discharge passage 17.
[0042]
22 is a vehicle air-conditioning means constituted by a refrigeration system of a refrigeration cycle, and is constructed so that a refrigerant is circulated by connecting a compressor 23, a condenser 24, a decompressor 25, and an evaporator 26 in an annular shape by piping. The air sucked by the blower 27 having a variable capacity is heat-exchanged with the evaporator 26, and the cold air-conditioned air is blown into the passenger compartment 8 from the air outlet 29 opened in the front part 28 of the driver's seat to indirectly air-condition. . The compressor 23 rotates using the engine 30 as a drive source.
[0043]
31 is an operation setting means for instructing operation of both the seat air-conditioning means 11 and the vehicle air-conditioning means 22, and both the seat air-conditioning means 11 and the vehicle air-conditioning means 22 are instructed to perform linked operation and stop by a single operation. Linked operation button (not shown), the seat air conditioning means 11 and the vehicle air conditioning means 22 are independently operated independently (not shown) and independently operated. A driving capability setting button (not shown) for setting capability, a regeneration button (not shown) for instructing when the adsorbent 14 is regenerated, and the like are provided.
[0044]
Reference numeral 32 denotes a control means comprising a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits, and incorporates a program for executing an operation control sequence for the seat air-conditioning means 11 and the vehicle air-conditioning means 22 in accordance with the instructions received from the operation setting means 31. ing. That is, the control means 32 is electrically connected to the blower 12, the electric heater 16, and the air path switching means 19 of the seat air conditioning means 11, and the compressor 23 and the blower 27 of the vehicle air conditioning means 22, respectively.
[0045]
When the control means 32 takes in the ON / OFF instruction of the interlock operation button of the operation setting means 31, it operates and stops the interlocking operation of the seat air conditioner 11 and the vehicle air conditioner 22, and the blower of the vehicle air conditioner 22. A control signal is sent so that the air flow rate is increased to 27 compared to that during the single operation, or the refrigerant circulation amount in the refrigeration cycle is controlled so that the temperature of the air blown from the outlet 29 is lower than that during the single operation. It has a program that sends control signals.
[0046]
Further, when the control means 32 instructs the adjustment of the increase / decrease in the capacity by the driving capacity setting button of the vehicle air conditioning means 22 in the operation setting means 31 in the interlocking operation of the seat air conditioning means 11 and the vehicle air conditioning means 22, the instruction is taken in and the seat is taken in. There is a program for automatically sending a control signal to the blower 12 of the seat air-conditioning means 11 to adjust the operation capacity setting of the air-conditioning means 11.
[0047]
Further, in the interlock operation of the seat air conditioning unit 11 and the vehicle air conditioning unit 22, the control unit 32 takes in a signal corresponding to the traveling speed of the vehicle via the compressor 23 and operates the seat air conditioning unit 11 in inverse proportion to this signal. There is also a program for automatically sending a control signal to the blower 12 of the seat air-conditioning means 11 to adjust the capacity setting.
[0048]
Further, when the control unit 32 operates the regeneration button of the operation setting unit 31, the control unit 32 captures this signal to stop the rotation of the blower 12, energizes the electric heater 16, and switches the electric air path switching unit 19 to switch the dehumidified air path. There is also a program for sending a control signal to the blower 12, the electric heater 16, and the electric air passage switching means 19 so as to close the 18 side and open the discharge passage 17. A power source 33 supplies power to the seat air conditioning unit 11 and the vehicle air conditioning unit 22 as well as the control unit 32.
[0049]
In the above embodiment, the operation and action of the seat air-conditioning means 11 and the vehicle air-conditioning means 22 which are air-conditioning seat devices mounted on an automobile will be described. In general, when the vehicle is parked under hot weather in summer, the room temperature of the passenger compartment 8 rises to 35 ° C. or higher, and the skin 4 of the seat body 1 also rises to about 60 ° C. When the driver gets on the vehicle, when the engine 30 is started and the linked operation button of the operation setting means 31 is operated, the control means 32 starts the operation of both the seat air-conditioning means 11 and the vehicle air-conditioning means 22. Then, the blower 12 of the dehumidifying air conditioning unit 10 of the seat air conditioning unit 11 rotates, and the air passage switching unit 19 closes the discharge passage 17 and communicates the dehumidified air passage 18 to the discharge side of the dehumidifying unit 15 via the branch passage 18a. To do.
[0050]
The air in the passenger compartment 8 sucked from the air inlet 13 by the blower 12, for example, air having a temperature of 35 ° C. and a humidity of 55% is 0.2 m in the adsorbent 14. 3 Per minute, water vapor is adsorbed by the adsorbent 14 to lower the humidity, and heat is generated by the adsorption heat to become high-temperature and low-humidity air, and enters the dehumidified air passage 18 via the branch passage 18a. It diffuses because it is guided to the spout 20 of the nozzle.
[0051]
Further, the expanded high-temperature and low-humidity air is deprived of heat by the branch passage 18 a, the constituent members of the dehumidifying air passage 18, the cushion material 5, and the skin 4 before reaching the jet outlet 20 of the seat body 1. The heat is naturally exchanged, and the air becomes low humidity with a temperature of 37 ° C. and a humidity of 20%, and is ejected from the seat 2 of the seat body 1 and the spout 20 of the back 3 toward the seated human body. Flows through the thigh, waist, and back. Accordingly, by evaporating the sweat on the surface of the human body, it is possible to take away the latent heat of vaporization and obtain a cooler feeling, and even if the seat body 1 is not in contact with the seating surface, the human body part outside the seat that faces in the direction However, the blown-out air hits and loses the latent heat of vaporization, which can surely give a cool feeling to a wide range of human body parts.
[0052]
On the other hand, the vehicle air-conditioning means 22 has already been started together with the seat air-conditioning means 11, and while the seat air-conditioning means 11 performs the dehumidifying air-conditioning directly on the human body, the refrigerant is cooled by the compressor 23 with the condenser 24, the decompressor 25, The air that circulates with the evaporator 26 and the compressor 23 and is sent by the blower 27 and exchanges heat with the evaporator 26 gradually decreases in temperature and rises efficiently, and cool air blows into the vehicle compartment 8 from the blowout port 29. The air conditioning of the passenger compartment 8 is started.
[0053]
Thus, when the vehicle air-conditioning means 22 whose air-conditioning start-up is slower than the seat air-conditioning means 11 starts to air-condition, the cold air coming out from the outlet 29 is inevitably a vehicle as shown by the dotted line arrows including the air that has been air-conditioned. The seat air-conditioning means 11 sucks this cold air from the air inlet 13 and dehumidifies it, and then ejects it from the jet outlet 20. Therefore, even if the cold air is heated by the heat generated when the adsorbent 14 is dehumidified, the air is dehumidified at a much lower temperature than when only the seat air-conditioning means 11 performs the air-conditioning action, and the seating is performed. Actively vaporize the sweat on the surface of the human body and take away the latent heat of vaporization, so that a strong cool feeling can be obtained.
[0054]
In addition, the control means 32 that takes in a signal for operating not only the vehicle air-conditioning means 22 but also the seat air-conditioning means 11 increases the amount of air blown by the blower 27 of the vehicle air-conditioning means 22 or the air blown from the air outlet 29. The vehicle air-conditioning means 22 is instructed to control the temperature of the vehicle. Therefore, a larger amount of cool air is blown out from the air outlet 29 of the vehicle air-conditioning means 22 than in a single operation, or cold air having a lower temperature is blown out.
[0055]
Therefore, even if the vehicle air-conditioning means 22 uses the air in the passenger compartment 8 that has been air-conditioned by the seat air-conditioning means 11, the vehicle air-conditioning means 22 performs stable cooling air-conditioning without interfering with the original air-conditioning of the passenger compartment 8. The air-conditioning means 11 can use a large amount of cold air from the air outlet 29 of the vehicle air-conditioning means 22 or cold air having a low temperature, and vaporizes the sweat on the surface of the sitting human body, thereby removing the latent heat of vaporization and cooling. The effect of obtaining a feeling can be further enhanced.
[0056]
Furthermore, when the temperature of the passenger compartment 8 is extremely high due to parking in the hot weather in summer, both the seat air-conditioning means 11 and the vehicle air-conditioning means 22 are interlocked, and the driving capability setting button in the operation setting means 31 of the vehicle air-conditioning means 22 If, for example, an instruction is given to increase the amount of air blown from the outlet 29 or to lower the temperature, the control means 32 that takes in this instruction and the instruction for the linked operation will send the blower 12 of the seat air-conditioning means 11. The driving capacity setting of the seat air-conditioning means 11 is automatically adjusted so as to increase the air volume, and the driving capacity of both of them can be adjusted only by operating the driving capacity setting button of one vehicle air-conditioning means 22 with respect to the temperature environment of the passenger compartment 8. It can be set, sufficient air conditioning can be performed, and the corresponding operation can be simplified.
[0057]
Further, when the seat air-conditioning means 11 and the vehicle air-conditioning means 22 are operated in conjunction with each other and the speed of the automobile changes while traveling on the road, the control means 32 that takes in the signal of this speed change. For example, when the traveling speed decreases, the vehicle air conditioning means 22 decreases the rotation speed of the compressor 23 and the cooling capacity decreases, so conversely, the seat air conditioning means 11 sends a control signal to the blower 12 to increase the amount of air flow, It increases the capacity of dehumidifying air conditioning. Therefore, even if the cooling capacity changes due to a change in the traveling speed of the vehicle in the vehicle air-conditioning means 22, the seat air-conditioning means 11 always exhibits a stable capacity and can perform stable dehumidification air-conditioning.
[0058]
Furthermore, when the seat air-conditioning means 11 is operated in this way to perform dehumidification air-conditioning, the capacity of the adsorbent 14 of the dehumidification means 15 is gradually decreased due to saturation of moisture. In such a state, the regeneration button of the operation setting unit 31 is turned on and off to regenerate the dehumidifying unit 15 of the seat air conditioning unit 11.
[0059]
That is, when a reproduction instruction is given by the reproduction button of the operation setting means 31, the control means 32 that has taken in this signal stops the rotation of the blower 12, as shown in FIG. 2, energizes the electric heater 16, and the electric air passage The switching means 19 is switched to send the control signal to close the dehumidified air passage 18 side and open the discharge passage 17. The adsorbent 14 heated by the electric heater 16 evaporates water vapor from the adsorbent 14, and the air containing moisture from the exhaust port 21 by natural convection generated between the intake port 13 and the exhaust port 21, as indicated by an arrow. It is discharged near the floor 9 of the passenger compartment 8 and the regeneration is completed after a certain time. When this regeneration is completed, the seat air-conditioning means 11 can be used again.
[0060]
Although the adsorbent 14 is used as the dehumidifying means 15 in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be used to condense water vapor in the air using a Peltier element or a compression refrigeration cycle. The same effect as the invention can be expected.
[0061]
(Example 2)
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an air-conditioning seat apparatus in which a refrigeration cycle type vehicle air-conditioning means and a seat air-conditioning means are provided in a vehicle according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The present embodiment differs from the invention of the first embodiment in that a plurality of air outlets into the vehicle interior of the vehicle air-conditioning means are provided, and at least one outlet can guide air to the vicinity of the seat air-conditioning means. Other parts having the same configuration and operational effects are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof is omitted, and different points are mainly described with reference to FIG.
[0062]
In addition to the air outlet 29 of the vehicle air conditioning means 22, another air outlet 29 a is provided in the driver seat front portion 28. The air outlet 29a is configured to actively guide the air to be blown out to the vicinity of the seat air conditioning means 11. That is, the air outlet 29a is arranged and oriented so that the air inlet 13 of the dehumidifying air conditioning unit 10 disposed below the seat portion 2 of the seat body 1 can positively suck the cold air blown from the air outlet 29a. The configuration is set to include. Reference numeral 34 denotes an electric air path switching means for switching the air path for use in both the air outlet 29 and the air outlet 29a of the vehicle air-conditioning means 22 or independently.
[0063]
When the control unit 32 is electrically connected to the electric air path switching unit 34 and operates the interlock operation button of the operation setting unit 31, the control unit 32 takes in this signal and rotates the electric air path switching unit 34 to the position indicated by the solid line. The air outlet 29 is completely closed, the air outlet 29a is fully opened, and is rotated to the position indicated by the dotted line after a certain time, and the air outlet 29a is completely closed and the air outlet 29 is completely opened, or the air outlet 29 And a program for executing a control sequence of whether or not the air outlet 29a is rotated to a usable position.
[0064]
In the above embodiment, the operation and action of the dehumidification air conditioning for the human body through the seat body 1 by the seat air conditioning means 11 and the cooling air conditioning of the passenger compartment 8 by the vehicle air conditioning means 22 are as described in the first embodiment. When both the seat air-conditioning means 11 and the vehicle air-conditioning means 22 operate in conjunction with each other, the control means 32 rotates the electric air passage switching means 34 and closes the air outlet 29, so that only the air outlet 29a that is completely opened is used. Then, the cool air blows out, and the cool air is guided by the air outlet 29a in the direction of the air inlet 13 of the seat air-conditioning means 11 as indicated by the dotted arrows. The seat air-conditioning means 11 sucks low-temperature air from the intake port 13 and dehumidifies it, and blows it from the ejection hole 20 toward the human body seated on the seat body 1.
[0065]
Therefore, since the vehicle is parked under hot weather in summer, when the temperature of the passenger compartment 8 is extremely high, the dehumidification air-conditioning operation using low-temperature air gives a positive feeling of coolness to the sweating human body from the beginning. Can quickly relieve the user's feelings in a short time. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the control means 32 rotates the electric air passage switching means 34 to the position indicated by the dotted line arrow, and cool air is blown out only from the outlet 29 to actively cool and air-condition the passenger compartment 8. Alternatively, the cold air is dispersed and blown out from both of the outlets 29 and 29a. In any case, the seat air-conditioning means 11 does not change the use of the cold air that accumulates in the vicinity of the floor 9 as the dehumidified air.
[0066]
Note that the control of the electric air path switching means 34 by the control means 32 is not limited to the form described in the above embodiment, and both the seat air conditioning means 11 and the vehicle air conditioning means 22 start operation in conjunction with each other. The cold air may be blown out from both the blowout port 29 and the blowout port 29a from the time when the operation is stopped until the dehumidification and air-conditioning action by the seat air conditioning means 11 after a certain time has passed. The degree of opening may be selected according to the temperature environment of the passenger compartment 8.
[0067]
In the above embodiment, only one outlet 29a is shown, but there may be a plurality of outlets 29a, and the position thereof is not limited to the example shown. However, various modifications can be made within a range in which the intended purpose can be achieved.
[0068]
Example 3
4 is a schematic perspective view of the dehumidifying means used for the seat air-conditioning means in the air-conditioning seat device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the dehumidifying means used for the seat air-conditioning means, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a development view of other dehumidifying means used for the seat air-conditioning means, and FIG. 8 is a development view of other dehumidifying means used for the seat air-conditioning means. is there. The present embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments in that the configuration of the dehumidifying means used for the seat air-conditioning means is specified. Description will be omitted, and different points will be mainly described with reference to FIGS.
[0069]
The dehumidifying means 15 in this embodiment is configured by integrally forming an adsorbent 14 and a heating means as an electric heater 16 that is a regeneration means. For example, a strip-shaped electric resistance heating element 16a that becomes the electric heater 16 is processed into a wave shape. The adsorbent 14 is supported on the surface. And the part processed into the waveform is arrange | positioned in parallel with the direction through which air flows. In the figure, 16b is a terminal.
[0070]
In the above embodiment, the dehumidifying means 15 of the dehumidifying air-conditioning unit 10 includes the electric heater 16 inside. Therefore, when the adsorbent 14 is regenerated, the electric heater 16 directly heats the adsorbent 14 by energization, and the heat is Efficiently transmitted to the adsorbent 14, the heating rate of the adsorbent 14 is increased. That is, even if the regeneration time is shortened, most of the water vapor adsorbed on the adsorbent 14 is released.
[0071]
Therefore, since the adsorption capacity is restored in a short time, for example, even in a form where the dehumidification air conditioning mode and the regeneration mode of the dehumidification air conditioning unit 10 of the seat air conditioning unit 11 are repeatedly used, sufficient dehumidification air conditioning capacity can be exhibited, The dehumidifying means 15 can be greatly downsized, and the dehumidifying air conditioning unit 10 can be easily incorporated into the seat body 1 by downsizing the dehumidifying air conditioning unit 10. Further, since the electric heater 16 directly heats the adsorbent 14, the air consumption is reduced, so that power consumption can be reduced.
[0072]
Further, even when the dehumidifying means 15 is left unused for a long period of time, a strict seal for preventing natural adsorption of water vapor in the atmosphere is no longer necessary, and in this respect, downsizing is possible. Furthermore, further downsizing of the dehumidifying air conditioning unit 10 can be achieved.
[0073]
As the electric resistance heating element 16a, as shown in FIG. 6, an expanded metal 36 obtained by cutting and extending a thin metal plate such as stainless steel, a wire mesh 37 knitted with a stainless metal wire as shown in FIG. 7, or FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, an undercoat 39 in which aluminum hydroxide, cerium nitrate or the like is sintered as shown in FIG. An adsorption material 14 such as zeolite, titanium silicate, silica gel or activated alumina is supported on the surface of the undercoat 39.
[0074]
In the dehumidifying means using such an electric resistance heating element 16a, since there are a large number of holes in any of the expanded metal, the wire mesh, and the punching metal, the area for supporting the adsorbent 4 is increased and the adsorption surface is expanded. The adsorption capacity can be increased and the regeneration capacity of the adsorbent 14 can be shortened due to a lower heat capacity than that using a flat metal sheet.
[0075]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a comfortable cooling feeling can be obtained with a simple structure from the time of sitting on the seat body by controlling the operation by utilizing the characteristics of the vehicle air conditioning means and the seat air conditioning means, and on the body. Easy air conditioning.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air-conditioning seat apparatus including a refrigeration cycle type vehicle air-conditioning means and a seat air-conditioning means mounted on an automobile in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram at the time of regeneration of the dehumidifying means in the air-conditioning seat device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air-conditioning seat apparatus including a refrigeration cycle type vehicle air-conditioning means and a seat air-conditioning means mounted on an automobile in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a dehumidifying means of a seat air-conditioning means in an air-conditioning seat device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a dehumidifying means of a seat air-conditioning means in the air-conditioning seat device according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a development view of the dehumidifying means of the seat air-conditioning means in the air-conditioning seat device according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a development view of other dehumidifying means for the seat air-conditioning means in the air-conditioning seat device according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a development view of other dehumidifying means for the seat air-conditioning means in the air-conditioning seat device according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioning seat device mounted on a car seat in a conventional example.
FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an air drying device portion in the air conditioning seat device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Seat body
8 Car cabin
11 Seat air conditioning means
14 Adsorbent
15 Dehumidifying means
16 Electric heater (heating means)
20 Ejection hole
22 Vehicle air-conditioning means
32 Control means
29, 29a outlet
36 Expanded Metal
37 Wire mesh
38 punching metal
