JP3289460B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner in which the amount of air passing through a heating means is adjusted in accordance with the movement of a film member having a ventilation opening.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an air conditioner for a vehicle, the structure of the air outlet switching damper or the air mix damper is simplified by using a film-like member made of a flexible material film such as plastic. It is conceived to reduce the weight and size of the device and the whole. FIGS. 6 and 7 show an example of the configuration of an air conditioner in which such a film damper is applied to an air mix damper.

[0003] That is, the heater unit 1 is disposed in an air duct (not shown), and has a form in which a heater core 3 through which engine cooling water flows is housed in a plastic heater case 2 having front and rear surfaces opened. A first air passage 4 and a second air passage 5 indicated by arrows in FIG. 7A are formed between the upper and lower portions of the heater core 3 and the air duct (not shown). The heater unit 1 includes a frame 6 formed integrally with the heater case 2, and the frame 6 supports a pair of winding shafts 7 and 8.

An air mix film damper 9 as a film-like member is arranged so as to surround the front surface (upstream side surface) of the heater core 3, and both ends thereof are connected to the winding shafts 7 and 8. Thereby, the film damper 9 is configured to be able to reciprocate on the upstream side of the heater core 3 by a winding operation according to the rotation of the winding shafts 7 and 8.

The film damper 9 has a plurality of ventilation openings 9a and 9b, and one opening 9a.
Is moved to the maximum heating position corresponding to the heater core 3 (the opening 9a is at the position shown in FIG. 7A), the air passages 4 and 5 are closed. Further, the film damper 9 is provided with each ventilation opening 9.
In the state in which a and 9b are moved to the heating stop position corresponding to the first air passage 4 and the second air passage 5, respectively (a state where the openings 9a and 9b are at the positions shown in FIG. 7C). ,
The front surface of the heater core 3 is closed.

The movement position of the film damper 9 can be adjusted linearly by, for example, a temperature adjustment lever provided on an instrument panel of an automobile. The lower half of one opening 9a corresponds to the upper half of the heater core 3 and the upper half corresponds to the first air passage 4, and the other opening 9b corresponds to the second air passage 5. In the intermediate heating position (a state in which the openings 9a and 9b are at the positions shown in FIG. 7B). Therefore, by adjusting the moving position of the film damper 9 in accordance with the operation of the temperature adjusting lever, the ratio of the amount of heated air passing through the heater core 3 to the amount of air passing through each of the air passages 4 and 5 can be controlled. Therefore, the temperature of the air-conditioned air can be adjusted.

The heater core 3 in the heater case 2
6, a plurality of ribs 10 oriented vertically in FIG. 6 are arranged by integral molding with the heater case 2, and these ribs 10 are brought into sliding contact with the film damper 9 to It has a guide function. An auxiliary rib 11 intersecting with the rib 10 is provided on the heater case 2 with the rib 10 and the frame 6.
The auxiliary rib 11 causes the film damper 9 to fall downstream (toward the heater core 3) when the moving position of the film damper 9 shifts. The situation is prevented, and the reinforcing effect of the rib 10 is obtained.

[0008]

By the way, in the above configuration, the existence of the auxiliary rib 11 is determined by the presence of the film damper 9.
For example, the film damper 9 moves the entire opening 9a from the maximum heating position in which the entire opening 9a corresponds to the heater core 3 to a position below the opening 9a. When the half is moved to the intermediate heating position corresponding to the upper half of the heater core 3, FIG.
As shown by an arrow W, the air passing through the opening 9a flows intensively only through the upper half of the heater core 3,
In the lower half of the heater core 3, heat exchange with cooling air hardly occurs. Therefore, in such a state, the heat exchange ability of the heater core 3 is not sufficiently exhibited, and the heat exchange efficiency is reduced.
Due to this, the change characteristic of the actual conditioned air blowing temperature with respect to the temperature adjustment position by the temperature adjustment lever does not have a linear relationship, and the temperature adjustment during the heating operation using the heater core 3 becomes inaccurate. was there.

According to the measurement by the inventor of the present invention, the relationship between the temperature control position by the temperature control lever and the blowing temperatures TFT and TFA of the conditioned air from the foot outlet and the face outlet is shown in FIG. FIG. 8 shows that the temperature adjustment position by the temperature adjustment lever is 5 degrees.
0% (about 50% of the heater core 3 is
(corresponding to the state corresponding to a)), and the blowing temperature TFT of the conditioned air
It can be seen that an inflection point occurs in TFA and TFA. Note that such an inflection point can be seen from the state shown in FIG. 7B while the air-conditioning air only passes through the upper half of the heater core 3 and the ventilation resistance increases in the state shown in FIG. 7B. When the state is switched to the state shown in FIG. 7D, the conditioned air flows through the entire heater core 3 as shown by the arrow W, so that the ventilation resistance is rapidly reduced and the outlet temperature is rapidly increased. Is what you do.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a rib to which a film-like member for adjusting the amount of air passing through a heating means slides, and a film crossing the rib. An air-conditioning system that has a configuration having an auxiliary rib having a receiving portion, but can always exert the heat exchange capacity of the heating means to the maximum, and can accurately perform temperature control during a heating operation. It is to provide a device.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a heating means provided in an air duct, and a movably disposed upstream position of the heating means. A flexible film-like member having the film-like member, a moving unit for moving the film-like member, and an upstream side of the heating unit so as to be directed in a moving direction of the film-like member and to be in sliding contact with the film-like member. And a rib receiving portion which is flush with the rib at least at the intersection with the rib in a state where the rib intersects with the rib, and circulates air in the moving direction of the film-shaped member. In this case, an auxiliary rib formed by forming a ventilation means that allows the air flow is provided (claim 1).

In this case, the auxiliary ribs may be formed in a plate shape connecting the ribs, and the ventilation means may be formed by removing a part of the auxiliary ribs. Claim 2).

[0013]

In the air conditioner according to the present invention, the relative position between the ventilation opening of the film member and the heating means can be changed by moving the film member. The amount of air passing through the heating means via the section can be adjusted. When such a film-like member moves, the film-like member comes into sliding contact with the ribs to provide a guiding function, and the moving position of the film-like member is shifted and the film-like member falls to the downstream side. Is prevented by the receiving portion of the auxiliary rib provided at the intersection with the rib.

In this case, since the auxiliary rib is provided with a ventilation means for allowing air to flow in the moving direction of the film member, only a part of the ventilation opening of the film member is connected to the heating means. Even in the corresponding state, the air that has passed through the ventilation opening also flows through the ventilation means in the direction not corresponding to the ventilation opening in the heating means. Therefore, the air that has passed through the ventilation opening does not pass through only a part of the heating means, and the heat exchange ability of the heating means can be sufficiently exhibited regardless of the moving position of the membrane member. Therefore, there is no possibility that the temperature adjustment during the heating operation becomes inaccurate unlike the conventional configuration.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the auxiliary rib is formed in a plate-like shape connecting the ribs, the auxiliary rib has a function of preventing the film-shaped member from dropping by the receiving portion. The effect of reinforcing the ribs can also be obtained.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a vehicle air conditioner will be described below with reference to FIGS. However, in this embodiment, since there are many parts that are the same as those of the conventional configuration shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those of the conventional configuration, Description is omitted.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a state in which the heater unit 1 is disposed in an air duct 12 of an air conditioner for a vehicle (a frame 6 (see FIG. 1) of the heater unit 1 and the like). Is omitted). In FIG.
The air duct 12 has an outside air inlet and an inside air inlet (not shown) at its most upstream side, and has a defroster outlet 13, a face outlet 14 and a foot outlet 15 at the most downstream side. The defroster outlet 13 is provided for blowing air toward the inside of the windshield, the face outlet 14 is provided for blowing air toward the upper body of the occupant, and the foot outlet 15 is provided at the foot of the occupant. It is provided for blowing out air toward.

Inside the air duct 12, from the upstream side to the downstream side, an inside / outside air switching damper (not shown) as an introduction air switching means for selecting an inside air suction mode or an outside air suction mode, the outside air introduction port or the inside air introduction port are provided. A blower (or fan) (not shown) as a blowing means for blowing the air taken in through the downstream side, an evaporator 16 as a cooling means, and the heater core 3 (corresponding to a heating means in the present invention) are provided. I have. Air duct 12
A sleeve wall portion 17 formed integrally with the air duct 12 is provided above the heater core 3 in the inside, and the sleeve wall portion 17 allows the cool air exchanged with the evaporator 16 to bypass the heater core 3. Face outlet 14
Means constituting an air passage for directing the air in the direction, specifically, a cool air bypass port 18 is formed. The cool air bypass port 18 is provided with a passage opening / closing means for selectively enabling the cool air bypass function, specifically, a plate damper 19.

The heater core 3 is disposed such that a predetermined gap exists between the lower end of the sleeve wall portion 17 and the lower surface of the air duct 12, so that the heater core 3 is provided above and below the heater core 3. Are the first air passage 4 and the second
Air passage 5 is formed. The air duct 12
On the downstream side of the heater core 3 in the inside, a guide 20 integrated with the air duct 12 is divided so as to partition the downstream side into two spaces communicating with the air passages 4 and 5.
Are formed as means for preventing air mixing between different passages. This guide 20 is used for the heater core 3
Has a shape extending from the downstream side surface to a position corresponding to the central portion of the face outlet 14, and for the purpose of mixing the air in the first air passage 4 and the second air passage 5 with each other, A plurality of notches (not shown) are formed to extend in the longitudinal direction.

The position adjacent to the edge of the defroster outlet 13 near the sleeve wall 17 in the air duct 12 and the position adjacent to the lower edge of the foot outlet 15 are:
The winding shafts 21 and 22 are rotatably supported with a predetermined gap between the winding shafts 21 and 22. A means for aligning a film damper 24 to be described later along each of the air outlets 13 to 15 is provided at an intermediate position between the defroster air outlet 13 and the face air outlet 14 in the air duct 12, specifically, a shaft having a circular cross section. Guide member 2 configured in
3 is rotatably supported with a predetermined gap between the air duct 3 and the air duct 12. In this embodiment, the guide member 23 is configured to be rotatable. However, the guide member 23 may be provided in a fixed state. When the guide member 23 is provided in such a fixed state, at least the surface in contact with the film damper 24 is provided. It is sufficient that the cross-sectional shape has a shape that does not hinder the movement of the film damper 24, for example, a curved shape.

An air outlet switching film damper 24 is provided between the winding shafts 21 and 22 by a guide member 23 and an air duct 12.
By being passed over in the gap between
The defroster outlet 13, the face outlet 14, and the foot outlet 15 are provided so as to be movable in a state facing the upstream from the upstream side. Both ends of the film damper 24 are connected to winding shafts 21 and 22, respectively.
It is configured to move according to the rotation of 1, 22.

Although not shown, the film damper 24
Is provided with, for example, two sets of ventilation openings at predetermined positions, and in accordance with the movement thereof, the relative position between the defroster outlet 13, the face outlet 14, and the foot outlet 15 and the ventilation opening group. The opening degree of each of the air outlets 13 to 15, that is, the air outlet mode is adjusted by changing the air flow rate. Specifically, a differential mode in which only the defroster outlet 13 is opened, a face differential mode in which the defroster outlet 13 and the face outlet 14 are opened, and only a face outlet 14 is opened in accordance with the moving position of the film damper 24. The mode is switched between the face mode in which the face air outlet 14 and the foot air outlet 15 are opened, and the foot mode in which only the foot air outlet 15 is opened.

The heater unit 1 has a position in which the winding shafts 7 and 8 provided on the heater unit 1 face the lower end of the sleeve wall portion 17 in the air duct 12 and the position of the foot outlet 1.
5 is disposed at each position facing the lower edge from below. Thus, the air mix film damper 9 corresponding to the film-like member according to the present invention can control the distribution amount of the air that has passed through the evaporator 16 to the heater core 3 side and the air passages 4 and 5 side. I have.

Here, one of the winding shafts 7 and 8 has
An output shaft of a step motor (not shown) attached outside the air duct 12 is connected to the take-up shafts 7 and 8 and the step motor. The output shaft of another step motor (not shown) attached to the outside of the air duct 12 is connected to one of the winding shafts 21 and 22. Means for transmitting the movement of one winding shaft to the other winding shaft, such as a belt and a wire, are provided between the winding shafts 7 and 8 and between the winding shafts 21 and 22, respectively. I have. Then, the step motor is rotated by an angle corresponding to the number of drive pulses sent from the control device, and one of the winding shafts is rotated accordingly, so that the film dampers 9 and 24 move.

The moving means is not limited to a stepping motor, but may be a servomotor, an ultrasonic motor or the like. Further, the mounting position of these motors is not limited to the outside of the air duct 12, but may be inside the air duct 12 or inside the corresponding winding shaft.

In FIG. 1, a plurality of ribs 10 and auxiliary ribs 25 intersecting with the ribs 10 are integrally formed with the heater case 2 at the center of the heater case 2 at the upstream side of the heater core 3. Is formed. In this case, the auxiliary rib 25 is formed by each rib 10 and the heater case 2.
A film receiving portion 25a flush with the rib 10 is formed at the intersection of the rib 10 and the sealing surface portion 6a of the frame 6, and a film receiving portion 25a is formed on the upstream edge. A cut-out portion 25b (corresponding to a ventilation means in the present invention) which is opened leaving the film receiving portion 25a is formed. Thus, the cutout portion 25b allows air to flow in the moving direction of the film damper 9 (vertical direction in the drawing).

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, for example, during the heating operation in the bi-level mode in which the face air outlet 14 and the foot air outlet 15 are opened by the air outlet switching film damper 24, the temperature (not shown) is increased. By moving the air mix film damper 9 by operating the adjustment lever, the temperature of the conditioned air blown out from the outlets 14 and 15 can be adjusted. That is, by moving the film damper 9 for air mixing, the ventilation openings 9 a and 9 b of the film damper 9, the heater core 3, the first air passage 4, and the second air passage 5 are provided.
Is changed, the amount of air passing through the heater core 3 through the opening 9a and the opening 9a, 9
Since the ratio with respect to the amount of air passing through the first and second air passages 4 and 5 can be adjusted through b, the temperature of the conditioned air blown from the face outlet 14 and the foot outlet 15 can be adjusted. Become.

When the air damper 9 moves, the film damper 9 comes into sliding contact with the rib 10 to provide a guiding function.
A situation in which the moving position of the film damper 9 shifts and the film damper 9 falls to the downstream side is prevented by the film receiving portion 25a of the auxiliary rib 25 provided at the intersection with the rib 10 and the sealing surface portion 6a. Become.

In this case, since the auxiliary rib 25 is formed with a cutout 25b which allows air to flow in the moving direction of the film damper 9 for air mixing, for example, the opening 9a of the ventilation hole 9a of the film damper 9 is formed. Even when only the upper half corresponds to the heater core 3, the air that has passed through the ventilation opening 9 a does not correspond to the ventilation opening 9 a in the heater core 3 through the notch 25 b (lower half). It also flows in the direction. Therefore, the air that has passed through the ventilation opening 9 a does not pass through only a part of the heater core 3, and the heat exchange ability of the heater core 3 is sufficiently exhibited regardless of the moving position of the film damper 9. become able to.

That is, according to the configuration of this embodiment described above, the heat exchange capacity of the heater core 3 is maximized regardless of the moving position of the film damper 9 for air mixing, and the temperature of the temperature control lever is adjusted. The relationship between the adjustment position and the outlet temperatures TFT and TFA of the conditioned air from the face outlet 14 and the foot outlet 15 can be made linear as shown by the solid line in FIG. This eliminates the possibility that the temperature adjustment during the heating operation becomes inaccurate (the curve shown by the broken line in FIG. 3 is the characteristic of the conventional configuration shown in FIG. 8). In addition, the auxiliary rib 25 is
In addition, since it is formed in a plate shape connecting between the heater cases 2, the function of preventing the film damper 9 from dropping to the downstream side (the side of the heater core 3) and the reinforcing effect of the rib 10 can be obtained. There is.

In the above embodiment, since the rib 10 and the auxiliary rib 25 are integrally formed with the heater case 2, there is an advantage that the number of parts is reduced. The configuration may be such that it is formed as a separate member from the case 2. In this case, the advantage is obtained that the shapes and arrangement of the rib 10 and the auxiliary rib 25 can be easily changed. In the above embodiment, the notch 25b opened at the upstream edge of the auxiliary rib 25 is used.
However, it is also possible to provide a cutout portion opened at the downstream edge as ventilation means.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and only the portions different from the first embodiment will be described below. That is, the second embodiment is characterized in that an auxiliary rib 26 is provided instead of the auxiliary rib 25 in the first embodiment. The auxiliary rib 26 is formed in a plate-like shape that connects between each rib 10 and the heater case 2.
The entire front edge portion including the intersection with zero is configured to function as the film receiving portion 26a flush with the rib 10 and the sealing surface portion 6a, and a large number of circular through holes are provided over the entire region. 26b (corresponding to the ventilation means in the present invention)
Are formed.

In this embodiment having such a structure, the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.
In particular, in the present embodiment, there is an advantage that it is possible to secure a ventilation amount through the group of through holes 26b while minimizing a decrease in the strength of the auxiliary rib 26. In this embodiment, the through holes 26 are used.
Although the shape of b is circular, other shapes such as a square shape and a hexagonal shape may be used, and at least one through hole 26b may be provided.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, and only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described below. That is, the third embodiment is characterized in that an auxiliary rib 27 is provided instead of the auxiliary rib 25 in the first embodiment. The auxiliary ribs 27 are integrally formed into a pair of protrusions on the opposing side surfaces of the respective ribs 10 and the heater case 2, and a front edge portion thereof serves as a film receiving portion 27 a flush with the ribs 10 and the sealing surface portion 6 a. In addition to functioning, the space between each pair of auxiliary ribs 27 is configured to function as a space 27b corresponding to the ventilation means in the present invention.

In this embodiment having such a structure, the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be obtained except for the effect of reinforcing the rib 10. Particularly, in this embodiment, the space is provided. There is an advantage that a sufficient amount of air can be secured through the portion 27b.

[0036]

As apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the amount of air passing through the heating means is adjusted in accordance with the movement of the film-like member, the film-like In a state where the member intersects with the rib to which the member slides, a film receiving portion is formed at least at the intersection with the rib and is flush with the rib, and ventilation means for allowing air to flow in the moving direction of the film-like member is provided. Since the auxiliary ribs formed are provided, the heat exchange capacity of the heating means can always be maximized regardless of the existence of the auxiliary ribs, and the temperature adjustment during the heating operation can be accurately performed. It has a beneficial effect of being able to obtain.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary rib is formed in a plate shape connecting the ribs, and the ventilation means is formed by removing a part of the auxiliary rib. Therefore, the effect of reinforcing the ribs can also be obtained by the auxiliary ribs.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the present invention in a partially broken state.

FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the whole;

FIG. 3 is a temperature characteristic curve diagram of air-conditioned air.

FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1, showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a conventional example.

FIG. 7 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a main part.

FIG. 8 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

In the drawings, 1 is a heater unit, 2 is a heater case, 3 is a heater core (heating means), 9 is a film damper (film-like member) for air mixing, 9a and 9b are ventilation openings,
Is a rib, 12 is an air duct, 21 and 22 are take-up shafts (drive means), 24 is a film damper for switching the outlet, and 25 and 2.
Reference numerals 6 and 27 denote auxiliary ribs, 25a, 26a and 27a denote film receiving portions, 25b denotes a cutout portion (venting means), 26b denotes a through hole (venting means), and 27b denotes a space portion (venting means).

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A heating means provided in an air duct, a flexible film-shaped member movably arranged at a position upstream of the heating means and having a ventilation opening, A moving means for moving; a rib provided on the upstream side of the heating means in a moving direction of the film-like member so that the film-like member comes into sliding contact with the rib; An auxiliary rib formed at a crossing portion of the rib with a receiving portion flush with the rib and formed with a ventilation means for allowing air to flow in a moving direction of the film-shaped member. Air conditioner. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary rib is formed in a plate shape connecting the ribs, and the ventilation means is formed by removing a part of the auxiliary rib. An air conditioner as described.