JP3511697B2 - Automotive air conditioners - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an automobile air conditioner in which one evaporator unit is constituted by arranging the evaporator core in an upper position and the heater core in a lower position so that the heater core is positioned in a lower position. JP-A-59-77918).

[0003]

In this type of air conditioner, the installation space of the air conditioner becomes large because the mechanism for mixing cold air and warm air is bulky. Therefore, the inventors have installed an air conditioner unit in which an evaporator connected with a refrigerant pipe and a heater core connected with a hot water pipe are installed in a casing in series so that the heater core is located on the downstream side, and air inside and outside the vehicle. A blower offset / semi-center placement type automotive air conditioner was prototyped in which a ventilation unit for blowing air to the evaporator was arranged adjacent to the air conditioning unit to reduce the installation space.

However, when the evaporator is retrofitted (when the cooler is purchased later) or when the evaporator is inspected or repaired, the blower unit is removed and then the hot water pipe is removed or the heater core is pulled out with the hot water pipe attached. We found that there is a need and that workability is poor.

An object of the present invention is that the installation space is small and the evaporator is retrofitted and the evaporator is inspected.
The purpose of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning system for automobiles that is excellent in workability when performing repairs.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems,
The present invention has the following configurations. (1) An evaporator connected to a refrigerant pipe for inflowing and outflowing a refrigerant, and a heater core connected to a heat medium pipe for inflowing and outflowing a heat medium, so that the heater core is located on the passenger compartment side of the casing. An air conditioning unit fitted in series from each mounting port provided on the same side and mounted in series, and a ventilation duct connected to the mounting port side by connecting a ventilation duct to the front face of the casing or the casing side face in front of the evaporator. And a unit, the space through which the evaporator passes when the evaporator is attached and detached is removed, and the heat medium pipe is led out in the front direction of the air conditioning unit.

(2) The evaporator core connected to the refrigerant pipe for inflowing and outflowing the refrigerant and the heater core connected to the heat medium pipe for inflowing and outflowing the heat medium are arranged so that the heater core is located on the passenger compartment side. , An air conditioning unit fitted in series from each mounting port provided on the same side of the casing and mounted in series, and a ventilation duct connected to the casing front face or the casing side face in front of the evaporator on the opposite side of the mounting port. A blower unit is installed laterally, and the heat medium pipe is led out in the front direction of the air conditioning unit by removing the space through which the evaporator passes when the evaporator is attached and detached.

(3) A heater core in which an evaporator, to which a refrigerant pipe for inflowing and outflowing a refrigerant is connected, is fitted into the casing through an evaporator mounting port provided on a side surface of the casing to connect a heat medium pipe for inflowing and outflowing a heat medium. Is fitted into the casing from the heater core mounting port provided on the opposite side of the casing, and the air conditioning unit in which the two are mounted in series so that the heater core is rearward, and the casing front face or the casing side face in front of the evaporator. A blower unit that is connected to the blower duct and that is installed laterally on the evaporator mounting port side of the air conditioning unit.

(4) It has the structure of (1) or (2) or (3) above, and the blower unit is disposed on the side of the passenger side casing. (5) Having the configuration of (1) or (2) or (3) or (4) above,
The evaporator has a refrigerant-refrigerant heat exchange section and a refrigerant-air heat exchange section. (6) Having the configuration of (1) or (2) or (3) or (4) above,
The heat medium is hot water heated by the engine.

[0010]

[Operation and effect of the invention]

[Claim 1] When the evaporator is retrofitted, the blower duct is removed from the casing, and the blower unit is removed from the air conditioning unit. The evaporator is fitted into the casing from the evaporator mounting port provided on the side surface of the casing and mounted, and after the mounting, the refrigerant pipe is connected to the evaporator. When there is a joint in the refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant pipe is connected to the evaporator and fitted in the casing. Connect the blower duct to the casing and reattach the blower unit to the air conditioning unit.

When the evaporator is inspected and repaired, the air duct is removed from the casing and the air blow unit is removed from the air conditioning unit. Remove the refrigerant pipe from the evaporator, pull out the evaporator from the evaporator installation port, and perform inspection and repair. When there is a joint in the refrigerant pipe, the evaporator is pulled out from the evaporator mounting port with the refrigerant pipe connected to the evaporator, and inspection / repair is performed.

After the inspection and repair are completed, the evaporator is fitted into the casing through the evaporator mounting port provided on the side surface of the casing and mounted, and after the mounting, the refrigerant pipe is connected to the evaporator. When there is a joint in the refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant pipe is connected to the evaporator and fitted in the casing. Connect the blower duct and reattach the blower unit to the air conditioning unit.

When the evaporator is attached and detached, the space through which the evaporator passes is removed and the heat medium piping is led out in the front direction of the air conditioning unit. Therefore, when the evaporator is retrofitted or the evaporator is inspected or repaired, the heat medium piping is connected to the heater core. It is excellent in workability because it does not require the troublesome work of removing it or taking out the heater core with the heat medium pipes connected.

The evaporator and the heater core are arranged in series in the casing, and a ventilation duct is connected to the front surface of the casing or the side surface of the casing in front of the evaporator to laterally install the ventilation unit on the mounting opening side of the air conditioning unit.
Since it is a blower offset type, the installation space of the automobile air conditioner is small.

[Claim 2] When the evaporator is retrofitted, the evaporator is fitted into the casing from the evaporator mounting port provided on the side surface of the casing and mounted, and after the mounting, the refrigerant pipe is connected to the evaporator. still,
If there is a joint in the refrigerant pipe, insert the refrigerant pipe into the casing with the refrigerant pipe connected to the evaporator.

When the evaporator is inspected and repaired, the refrigerant pipe is removed from the evaporator, and the evaporator is pulled out from the evaporator mounting port to be inspected and repaired. When there is a joint in the refrigerant pipe, the evaporator is pulled out from the evaporator mounting port with the refrigerant pipe connected to the evaporator, and inspection / repair is performed.

After completion of the inspection and repair, the evaporator is fitted into the casing through the evaporator mounting port provided on the side surface of the casing and mounted, and after the mounting, the refrigerant pipe is connected to the evaporator. When there is a joint in the refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant pipe is connected to the evaporator and fitted in the casing.

Since the air blower unit is installed laterally on the side of the casing opposite to the mounting port, the space through which the evaporator passes when the evaporator is attached and detached is removed and the heat medium pipe is led out in the forward direction of the air conditioning unit. There is no need for troublesome work such as removing the blower unit from the air conditioning unit, removing the heat medium pipe from the heater core, or taking out the heater core with the heat medium pipe connected, when inspecting or repairing the evaporator and the evaporator. Excellent workability.

The evaporator and the heater core are arranged in series in the casing, and a ventilation duct is connected to the front surface of the casing or the side surface of the casing in front of the evaporator to laterally install the ventilation unit on the side opposite to the mounting port of the air conditioning unit. However, since it is a blower offset type, the installation space of the automobile air conditioner is small.

[Claim 3] When the evaporator is retrofitted, the blower duct is removed from the casing, and the blower unit is removed from the air conditioning unit. The evaporator is fitted into the casing through an evaporator mounting port provided on the side surface of the casing on the side where the blower unit is disposed, and after mounting, the refrigerant pipe is connected to the evaporator. When there is a joint in the refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant pipe is connected to the evaporator and fitted in the casing. Connect the blower duct to the casing and reattach the blower unit to the air conditioning unit.

When inspecting and repairing the evaporator, the air duct is removed from the casing, and the air blow unit is removed from the air conditioning unit. Remove the refrigerant pipe from the evaporator, pull out the evaporator from the evaporator installation port, and perform inspection and repair. When there is a joint in the refrigerant pipe, the evaporator is pulled out from the evaporator mounting port with the refrigerant pipe connected to the evaporator, and inspection / repair is performed.

After the inspection and repair are completed, the evaporator is fitted into the casing from the evaporator mounting port provided on the side surface of the casing and mounted, and after the mounting, the refrigerant pipe is connected to the evaporator. When there is a joint in the refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant pipe is connected to the evaporator and fitted in the casing. Connect the air duct to the casing,
Reinstall the blower unit on the air conditioning unit.

Since the heater core mounting port is provided on the side of the casing opposite to the evaporator mounting port and on the side opposite to the blower unit, the heater core is fitted into the casing through the heater core mounting port so that the heating medium pipe can be mounted. In addition to the high degree of freedom in deriving the heat exchanger, the troublesome work of removing the heat medium pipe from the heater core or taking out the heater core with the heat medium pipe connected is not necessary when the evaporator is retrofitted or the evaporator is inspected or repaired. And has excellent workability.

The evaporator and the heater core are arranged in series in the casing, and a ventilation duct is connected to the front surface of the casing or a side surface of the casing in front of the evaporator to laterally install the ventilation unit on the mounting port side of the air conditioning unit.
Since it is a blower offset type, the installation space of the automobile air conditioner is small.

[Claim 4] In the case of a right-hand drive vehicle, the side surface of the casing on the driver's side is close to the body of the vehicle, and there is little room. However, the side surface of the casing on the passenger seat side has a sufficient space, which is suitable for disposing the blower unit.

[Claim 5] In the evaporator, since the refrigerant / refrigerant heat exchange section evenly distributes the refrigerant to the refrigerant / air heat exchange section, the evaporator has high cooling efficiency. In addition, due to the structure, the refrigerant pipe can be taken out from the side surface.

[Claim 6] Since the air conditioner is installed in the automobile, the hot water heated by the engine can be used as the heat medium.

[0028]

The first embodiment of the present invention (claims 1, 4, 5, 6)
Will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. As shown in the figure, an automobile air conditioner A includes an evaporator 1 in which refrigerant pipes 11 and 12 are connected, and a heater core 2 in which hot water pipes 21 and 22 are connected to each other. And a blower unit 5 that is offset to the right hand drive vehicle.

The evaporator 1 has a built-in expansion valve (not shown) and a joint part 13 for connecting the refrigerant pipes 11 and 12, and a refrigerant / refrigerant heat exchange part 14 for exchanging heat between the upstream side refrigerant and the downstream side refrigerant. A refrigerant air heat exchange section 15 having a fixed throttle (not shown) for depressurizing the upstream side refrigerant and a heat absorbing fin 151, and for exchanging heat between the refrigerant introduced through the fixed throttle and the introduced air. And.

The expansion valve is an expansion valve that automatically adjusts the pressure reduction amount and the refrigerant circulation amount so that the evaporation and vaporization of the refrigerant is completed at the outlet of the evaporator 1, for example, the amount of superheat at the outlet is constant. Is.

The refrigerant pipes 11 and 12 are connected to a receiver and a refrigerant compressor arranged in the engine room, through a pipe joint arranged in a partition wall located between the refrigerant pipes 11 and 12. The refrigerant flows through the refrigeration cycle in the order of the refrigerant pipe 12 → refrigerant compressor (driven by the engine) → condenser (exchanges heat with outdoor air) → receiver (separation of gas / liquid) → refrigerant pipe 11.

The heater core 2 is provided with a joint portion 23 for connecting the hot water pipes 21 and 22 on the side surface, and a heat exchange portion 24 for exchanging heat between hot water and passing air. In addition, the heat exchange section 24 is a tube 24 having a radiation fin 241 arranged on the outer circumference.
It is formed by meandering 2.

The hot water pipes 21 and 22 are led out in the forward direction of the air conditioning unit 4 through the lower portion of the evaporator mounting port 311 and are connected to the engine room through a pipe joint provided in a partition wall located between the engine room and the engine room. Connected to the hot water valve and water jacket of the engine, which is located.
The hot water flows through the hot water passage in the order of the hot water pipe 22, the water pump, the engine, the hot water valve, the hot water pipe 21, and the tube 242.

The casing 3 (made of resin or metal) is
It has a hollow box shape, and on the side surface 31 side (left side in FIG. 1) on the passenger side, in order from the upstream side, a connection port 310, an evaporator mounting port 311 (rectangular), and a heater core mounting port 3
12 (rectangle) is open.

The front part of the casing 3 has a tapered shape, and guides the air carried in from the connection port 310 to the front of the evaporator 1. Further, a tubular portion 32 for communicating with the foot outlet is formed on the lower rear surface of the casing 3, and tubular portions 33, 34 for communicating with the center face outlet and the defroster outlet are formed on the upper rear surface. Cylindrical parts 35, 3 for communicating with the side face outlet on the rear side surface.
5 is formed. Incidentally, reference numerals 61 and 62 are film doors for opening and closing the air outlets.

Further, in the casing 3, a retaining wall (not shown) for positioning the evaporator 1 and the heater core 2 which is fitted from the evaporator mounting port 311 and the heater core mounting port 312 is provided upright. .

The blower unit 5 includes a spiral casing 51.
It has an air blower 52 and an inside / outside air switching box 53, and is installed laterally on the side surface 31 side of the air conditioning unit 4 (for a right-hand drive vehicle).

The spiral casing 51 has an air inlet opening at the top, and a cylindrical portion 511 to which the blower 52 is assembled.
And the connecting port 3 extending laterally from the side wall of the cylindrical portion 511.
And a cylindrical (rectangular cross-section) extending portion 512 connected to 10.

The blower 52 includes a motor 521 and a cylindrical portion 5
11 and the blades 522 that are rotatably driven by the motor 521 and generate an airflow toward the air conditioning unit 4.

The inside / outside air switching box 53 is a spiral casing 5
The inside air / outside air switching damper which is fixed to the upper surface of No. 1 and is driven by a servomotor or the like is built in, and the outside air introduction mode in which the outside air is introduced from the outside air suction port 531 and the inside air circulation mode in which the room air is introduced from the inside air suction port 532. And are switched appropriately.

Next, the procedure for retrofitting the evaporator 1 in the automobile air conditioner A will be described. (1) The connection between the extending portion 512 of the spiral casing 51 and the connecting port 310 of the casing 3 is released, and the blower unit 5
Is removed from the air conditioning unit 4.

(2) The evaporator 1 is fitted into the casing 3 through the evaporator mounting port 311 provided on the side surface 31 of the casing 3 and mounted. (3) After mounting, the refrigerant pipes 11 and 12 are connected to the joint portion 13.

(4) Extension portion 512 of the spiral casing 51
Is connected to the connection port 310 of the casing 3, and the blower unit 5 is attached to the air conditioning unit 4 again.

Further, in the automobile air conditioner A, the procedure for inspecting and repairing the evaporator 1 will be described. The connection between the extending portion 512 of the spiral casing 51 and the connection port 310 of the casing 3 is released, and the blower unit 5 is removed from the air conditioning unit 4.

Refrigerant piping 11, 12 and joint section 13
Then, the refrigerant pipes 11 and 12 are displaced so as not to interfere with the pulling-out of the evaporator 1 performed by. The evaporator 1 is pulled out of the casing 3 from the evaporator mounting port 311 provided on the side surface 31 of the casing 3. Check and repair the evaporator 1.

After the inspection and repair are completed, the evaporator 1 is fitted into the casing 3 through the evaporator mounting port 311 and mounted. After mounting, the refrigerant pipes 11 and 12 are connected to the joint portion 13. The extending portion 512 of the spiral casing 51 is connected to the connecting port 310 of the casing 3, and the blower unit 5 is attached to the air conditioning unit 4 again.

The advantages of the vehicle air conditioner A according to this embodiment are as follows. [A] The hot water pipes 21 and 22 are formed by removing the space through which the evaporator passes when the evaporator 1 is attached and detached.
It is led out in the forward direction. Specifically, it is led out in the front direction of the air conditioning unit 4 through below the evaporator mounting port 311.

Therefore, when retrofitting the evaporator 1 or inspecting or repairing the evaporator 1, it is not necessary to remove the hot water pipes 21 and 22 from the heater core 2 and the workability is excellent.

[A] Since the evaporator 1 and the heater core 2 are arranged in series in the casing 3 and the blower unit 5 is installed horizontally, the air conditioner A for automobiles has a small installation space because it is a blower offset type.

[C] Since the evaporator is the evaporator 1, the refrigerant / refrigerant heat exchange section 14 can evenly distribute the refrigerant to the refrigerant / air heat exchange section 15, resulting in high cooling efficiency.
Further, since the refrigerant pipes 11 and 12 can be taken out from the side due to the structure, it is suitable for use in an air conditioner of a type in which the evaporator 1 and the heater core 2 are arranged in series in the casing 3 and the blower is installed horizontally. ing.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention (claim 3,
(Corresponding to 4, 5, and 6) will be described with reference to FIGS.
The automotive air conditioner B of this embodiment has only the following configuration
It is different from the automobile air conditioner A of the embodiment.

The heater core mounting port 312 (rectangular) is open on the side surface 36 side (right side in FIG. 5) on the driver's seat side.
The hot water pipes 21 and 22 are led out in the forward direction of the air conditioning unit 4 along the side surface 36 on the opposite side of the evaporator mounting port 311. In the automobile air conditioner B, the evaporator 1
The retrofitting and inspection / repair of the evaporator 1 are the same as those of the automobile air conditioner A described above.

The vehicle air conditioner B according to this embodiment has the following advantages in addition to the advantages according to the above [a] and [c]. [D] A heater core mounting port 312 is provided on the side surface 36 of the casing 3 on the side opposite to the evaporator mounting port 311 and on the side opposite to the blower unit 5, and the heater core 2 is fitted into the casing 3 from the heater core mounting port 312 and mounted. It is a composition.

For this reason, the hot water pipes 21 and 22 have a high degree of freedom in derivation, and the hot water pipe 2 can be used when the evaporator 1 is retrofitted or the evaporator 1 is inspected or repaired.
The workability is excellent because the troublesome work of detaching 1, 22 from the heater core 2 is unnecessary.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention (claim 2,
(Corresponding to 4, 5, and 6) will be described with reference to FIG. The vehicle air conditioner C of this embodiment differs from the vehicle air conditioner A of the first embodiment only in the following configuration.

The heater core mounting opening 312 and the evaporator mounting opening 311 are both open to the side surface 36 side (right side in FIG. 6) on the driver's seat side. The hot water pipes 21 and 22 extend along the side surface 36 on the driver's seat side, and also have an evaporator attachment port 31.
The air-conditioning unit 4 is led out in the front direction through the lower part of the unit 1.

Next, the procedure for retrofitting the evaporator 1 in the automobile air conditioner C will be described. (1) The evaporator 1 is fitted into the casing 3 through the evaporator mounting port 311 provided on the side surface 31 of the casing 3 and mounted. (2) After mounting, the refrigerant pipes 11 and 12 are connected to the joint portion 13.

The procedure for inspecting and repairing the evaporator 1 in the automobile air conditioner C will be described. The connection between the refrigerant pipes 11 and 12 and the joint portion 13 is released, and the refrigerant pipes 11 and 12 are displaced to a position that does not interfere with the withdrawal of the evaporator 1 performed by.

The evaporator 1 is inserted into the casing 3 from the evaporator mounting port 311 provided on the side surface 31 of the casing 3.
Pull it out. Check and repair the evaporator 1.

After completion of inspection and repair, the evaporator 1 is fitted into the casing 3 through the evaporator mounting port 311 and mounted. After mounting, the refrigerant pipes 11 and 12 are connected to the joint portion 13.

The vehicle air conditioner C according to this embodiment has the following advantages in addition to the advantages according to the above [a] and [c]. [E] The heater core mounting port 312 and the evaporator mounting port 311 are opened to the side face 36 side on the driver's seat side. Therefore, when the evaporator 1 is retrofitted or the evaporator 1 is inspected or repaired, the troublesome work of removing the blower unit 5 from the air conditioning unit 4 and removing the hot water pipes 21 and 22 from the heater core 2 is unnecessary. ,
Excellent workability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automobile air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the automobile air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an automobile air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view of an automobile air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of an automobile air conditioner according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

A car air conditioner 1 evaporator 2 heater core 3 casing 4 air conditioning unit 5 Blower unit 11, 12 Refrigerant piping 14 Refrigerant Refrigerant heat exchange section 15 Refrigerant air heat exchange section 21, 22 Hot water piping (heat medium piping) 31 Side (side of casing on the passenger side) 311 Evaporator mounting port 312 Heater core mounting port 512 Extension part (air duct)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-47-44747 (JP, A) JP-A-5-196321 (JP, A) JP-A-56-82628 (JP, A) Actual development Sho-57- 202311 (JP, U) Actually open 63-32912 (JP, U) Actually open 57-22411 (JP, U) Actually open 2-141789 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B60H 1/00-3/06

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. An evaporator to which a refrigerant pipe for inflowing and outflowing a refrigerant is connected, and a heater core to which a heat medium pipe for inflowing and outflowing a heat medium are connected, so that the heater core is located on the passenger compartment side. Air-conditioning units that are fitted in series from the respective mounting openings provided on the same side of the casing and are mounted in series, and a ventilation duct is connected to the front of the casing or the side of the casing in front of the evaporator so that it is lateral to the mounting side. An air conditioner for an automobile, comprising: a blower unit provided, wherein a space through which the evaporator passes when the evaporator is attached and detached is removed and the heat medium pipe is led out in a front direction of an air conditioning unit. 2. An evaporator to which a refrigerant pipe for inflowing and outflowing a refrigerant is connected, and a heater core to which a heat medium pipe for inflowing and outflowing a heat medium is connected so that the heater core is located on the passenger compartment side. Air-conditioning units that are fitted in series from the respective mounting openings provided on the same side of the casing and are mounted in series, and a ventilation duct is connected to the front of the casing or the side of the casing in front of the evaporator to connect it to the side opposite the mounting opening. An air conditioner for an automobile, comprising: a blower unit that is installed, wherein a space through which the evaporator passes when the evaporator is attached and detached is removed and the heat medium pipe is led out in a front direction of the air conditioning unit. 3. An evaporator, which is connected to a refrigerant pipe for inflowing and outflowing the refrigerant, is fitted into the casing from an evaporator mounting port provided on a side surface of the casing, and a heater core is connected to a heat medium pipe for inflowing and outflowing the heat medium. , An air conditioning unit in which the heater core mounting port provided on the opposite side of the casing is fitted into the casing so that the heater core is rearward, and an air conditioning unit in which both are mounted in series, and a casing front surface or a casing side surface in front of the evaporator, An air conditioner for a vehicle, comprising: a blower unit connected to a blower duct, and a blower unit provided laterally on the evaporator mounting port side of the air conditioning unit. 4. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the blower unit is disposed on a side surface of a casing on a passenger side. 5. The evaporator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the evaporator has a refrigerant-refrigerant heat exchange section and a refrigerant-air heat exchange section.
Alternatively, the automobile air conditioner according to claim 3 or 4. 6. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the heat medium is hot water heated by an engine.