U.S. patent application number 10/773165 was filed with the patent office on 2004-08-12 for air-conditioning system for a vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES LTD.. Invention is credited to Fujita, Masashi, Ishii, Kazuo, Kondo, Toshihisa, Nakagawa, Nobuya.
Application Number | 20040154789 10/773165 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 19057699 |
Filed Date | 2004-08-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040154789 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nakagawa, Nobuya ; et
al. |
August 12, 2004 |
Air-conditioning system for a vehicle
Abstract
An air conditioning system mountable in the rear of a vehicle
having a vent mode and a foot mode is disclosed. The air
conditioning system comprises a casing, an evaporator mounted at an
upper front portion within the casing, a heater core mounted below
the evaporator such that the evaporator and the heater core are not
superposed when seen in a vehicle front-to-rear direction. A
temperature controlling damper is provided for controlling rate of
air which is directed toward the heater core so as to attain a
selected final temperature of the air which is discharged into a
passenger compartment of the vehicle. Vent and foot outlets are
also provided.
Inventors: |
Nakagawa, Nobuya;
(Nishi-kasugai-gun, JP) ; Kondo, Toshihisa;
(Nishi-kasugai-gun, JP) ; Ishii, Kazuo;
(Nishi-kasugai-gun, JP) ; Fujita, Masashi;
(Nagoya-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND, MAIER & NEUSTADT, P.C.
1940 DUKE STREET
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES
LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
19057699 |
Appl. No.: |
10/773165 |
Filed: |
February 9, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10773165 |
Feb 9, 2004 |
|
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|
10198460 |
Jul 19, 2002 |
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6739388 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
165/202 ; 165/42;
165/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60H 2001/00107
20130101; B60H 1/00207 20130101; B60H 1/00007 20130101; B60H
1/00028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/202 ;
165/042; 165/043 |
International
Class: |
B60H 003/00; B61D
027/00; B60H 001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 25, 2001 |
JP |
2001-224565 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An air conditioning system mountable in the rear of a vehicle
having a vent mode and a foot mode, the air conditioning system
comprising: a casing; an evaporator mounted at an upper front
portion within the casing; a heater core mounted below the
evaporator such that the evaporator and the heater core are not
superposed when seen in a vehicle front-to-back direction; a vent
outlet provided at an upper rear portion of the casing for allowing
the air having a first selected final temperature to be discharged
into the passenger compartment in the vent mode; a foot outlet
provided at the front portion of the casing for allowing the air
having a second selected final temperature to be discharged into
the passenger compartment in the foot mode; a first passage
extending between the downstream side of the evaporator and the
vent outlet; a first heater core passage providing a fluid
communication between the rear side of the heater core and the
first passage; a second heater core passage providing a fluid
communication between the front side of the heater core and the
upstream side of the evaporator; and a temperature controlling
damper for controlling rate of air which is directed toward the
heater core so as to attain the first or second selected
temperature of the air which is discharged into a passenger
compartment of the vehicle;
2. An air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein said
temperature controlling damper controls the rate of a portion of
the air to flow through the evaporator and the rate of the
remaining air to bypass the evaporator and flow through heater core
in a controlled proportion.
3. An air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein said
air conditioning system further comprises a drain passage disposed
below the evaporator for draining a condensate from the evaporator,
said drain passage having a generally funnel-like
configuration.
4. An air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the
temperature controlling damper has a projecting member integrally
formed with the face of the damper facing the second heater core
passage.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an air conditioning system
for a vehicle, and in particular to an air conditioning system
mountable in the rear of a vehicle.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Typically, a vehicle air conditioning system is mounted
within the front of a vehicle, more particularly, within an
instrumental panel thereof.
[0005] Recently, an air conditioning system has been developed
which comprise an integral unit including an evaporator and a
heater core. The evaporator is a heat exchanger providing a cooling
capability and the heater core is a heat exchanger providing a
heating capability. Thereby, the system provides an improved space
availability in the lower area of a passenger compartment and also
a reduction of the manufacturing cost.
[0006] Examples of the vehicle air conditioning system of the type
having the integrated evaporator and heater core unit are disclosed
in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication Nos. 10-250344 and
10-250345. In the vehicle air conditioning system of these
publications, the heater core is disposed behind the evaporator,
and each of the heater core and the evaporator is in an upright
position.
[0007] On the other hand, the conventional front-mounted air
conditioning system of the above-mentioned type is not fully
satisfactory in a so-called minivan having a larger compartment
space due to a shortage of air conditioning capability thereof. To
overcome this problem, an additional rear-mounted air conditioning
system can be often installed in a space defined between a wheel
housing for a rear wheel and a D-pillar (the most-rearward
pillar-post of the vehicle).
[0008] However, such a space between the wheel housing for the rear
wheel and the D-pillar is small and specifically the space is
limited in a vehicle front-to-back direction. Further, the
minivan-type vehicles may utilize sliding doors useful in providing
a large opening through which passengers get on or off in order to
give an easy access to the second and/or third rear seats for any
passengers or occupants. Due to this, the rear wheel wells are
displaced backward to some extent, which in turn may tend to
further limit the space between the wheel housing and the
D-pillar.
[0009] As a result, the rear-mounted air conditioning system must
be installed in the limited space between the wheel housing and the
D-pillar.
[0010] However, the conventional air conditioning systems as
disclosed in the publications are relatively long in the vehicle
front-to-back or longitudinal direction and therefore are difficult
to conveniently install in the rear of the vehicle due to the space
requirements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide to provide an air conditioning system for vehicle having a
reduced longitudinal dimension suitable for mounting in the rear of
the vehicle.
[0012] The above object is achieved according to the first aspect
of the present invention by providing an air conditioning system
mountable in the rear of a vehicle having a vent mode and a foot
mode, the air conditioning system comprising a casing, an
evaporator mounted at an upper front portion within the casing, a
heater core mounted below the evaporator such that the evaporator
and the heater core are not superposed when seen in a vehicle
front-to-back direction, a temperature controlling damper for
controlling a rate of air which is directed toward the heater core
so to attain a selected final temperature of the air which is
discharged into a passenger compartment of the vehicle, a vent
outlet provided at an upper rear portion of the casing for allowing
the air having the selected temperature to be discharged into the
passenger compartment in the vent mode, and a foot outlet provided
at the front portion of the casing for allowing the air having the
elected temperature to be discharged into the passenger compartment
in the foot mode.
[0013] According to the first aspect of the present invention,
since the evaporator and the heater core are not superposed when
seen in a vehicle front-to-back direction, such arrangement
provides a reduced longitudinal dimension of the air conditioning
system, so that it can be conveniently located in a limited space
between a wheel housing for a rear wheel and a D-pillar.
[0014] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
temperature controlling damper controls the rate of the air which
is directed toward the heater core after flowing through the
evaporator.
[0015] In the still preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the temperature controlling damper controls the rate of the air
which is directed toward the heater core before flowing through the
evaporator.
[0016] The present invention also provides, in a second aspect, an
air conditioning system mountable in the rear of a vehicle having a
vent mode and a foot mode, the air conditioning system comprising a
casing, an evaporator mounted at an upper front portion within the
casing, a heater core mounted below the evaporator such that the
evaporator and the heater core are not superposed when seen in a
vehicle front-to-back direction, a vent outlet provided at the
upper rear portion of the casing for allowing the air having a
first selected final temperature to be discharged into the
passenger compartment in the vent mode, a foot outlet provided at
the front portion of the casing for allowing the air having a
second selected final temperature to be discharged into the
passenger compartment in the foot mode, a first bypass passage
extending between the downstream side of the evaporator and the
vent outlet, a second bypass passage extending between the
downstream side of the evaporator and the foot outlet, a first
heater core passage providing a fluid communication between the
rear side of the heater core and the first bypass passage, a second
heater core passage providing a fluid communication between the
front side of the heater core and the second bypass passage, and a
temperature controlling damper for controlling rate of air which is
directed toward the heater core so as to attain the first or second
selected temperature of the air which is discharged into a
passenger compartment of the vehicle.
[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
temperature controlling damper controls a proportion in which the
rate of the air is divided into the first bypass passage and the
second bypass passage.
[0018] The present invention provides, in a third aspect, an air
conditioning system mountable in the rear of a vehicle having a
vent mode and a foot mode, the air conditioning system comprising a
casing, an evaporator mounted at the upper front portion within the
casing, a heater core mounted below the evaporator such that the
evaporator and the heater core are not superposed when seen in a
vehicle front-to-back direction, a vent outlet provided at an upper
rear portion of the casing for allowing the air having a first
selected final temperature to be discharged into the passenger
compartment in the vent mode, a foot outlet provided at the front
portion of the casing for allowing the air having a second selected
final temperature to be discharged into the passenger compartment
in the foot mode, a first passage extending between the downstream
side of the evaporator and the vent outlet, a first heater core
passage providing a fluid communication between the rear side of
the heater core and the first passage, a second heater core passage
providing a fluid communication between the front side of the
heater core and the upstream side of the evaporator, and a
temperature controlling damper for controlling rate of air which is
directed toward the heater core so as to attain the first or second
selected temperature of the air which is discharged into a
passenger compartment of the vehicle.
[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
temperature controlling damper controls the rate of a portion of
the air to flow through the evaporator and the rate of the
remaining air to bypass the evaporator and flow through heater core
in a controlled proportion.
[0020] In a still preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the air conditioning system further comprises a drain passage
disposed below the evaporator for draining a condensate from the
evaporator, the drain passage having a generally funnel-like
configuration.
[0021] In a further still preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the temperature controlling damper has a projecting
member integrally formed with the face of the damper facing the
second heater core passage.
[0022] The above and other objects and features of the present
invention will be apparent from the following description made with
reference to the accompany drawings showing preferred embodiments
of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] In the accompanying drawings:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of a vehicle
having separate air conditioning units mounted in the front and
rear of the vehicle;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of the air
conditioning system according to the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a view showing a flow pattern of air in the air
conditioning system according to the first embodiment of the
invention when in a vent mode (a max-cool state);
[0027] FIG. 4 is a view showing a flow pattern of the air in the
air conditioning system according to the first embodiment of the
invention when in a vent mode (a mix state);
[0028] FIG. 5 is a view showing a flow pattern of the air in the
air conditioning system according to the first embodiment of the
invention when in a vent mode (a max-heat state);
[0029] FIG. 6 is a view showing a flow pattern of the air in the
air conditioning system according to the first embodiment of the
invention when in a foot mode (a max-cool state);
[0030] FIG. 7 is a view showing a flow pattern of the air in the
air conditioning system according to the first embodiment of the
invention when in a foot mode (a mix state);
[0031] FIG. 8 is a view showing a flow pattern of the air in the
air conditioning system according to the first embodiment of the
invention when in a foot mode (a max-heat state);
[0032] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the air
conditioning system according to the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 10 is a view showing a flow pattern of the air in the
air conditioning system according to the second embodiment of the
invention when in a vent mode (a max-cool state);
[0034] FIG. 11 is a view showing a flow pattern of the air in the
air conditioning system according to the second embodiment of the
invention when in a vent mode (a mix state);
[0035] FIG. 12 is a view showing a flow pattern of the air in the
air conditioning system according to the second embodiment of the
invention when in a vent mode (a max-heat state);
[0036] FIG. 13 is a view showing a flow pattern of the air in the
air conditioning system according to the second embodiment of the
invention when in a foot mode (a max-cool state);
[0037] FIG. 14 is a view showing a flow pattern of the air in the
air conditioning system according to the second embodiment of the
invention when in a foot mode (a mix state);
[0038] FIG. 15 is a view showing a flow pattern of the air in the
air conditioning system according to the second embodiment of the
invention when in a foot mode (a max-heat state);
[0039] FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of the vehicle air
conditioning system including a drain passage according to another
example of the second embodiment of the invention;
[0040] FIG. 17 is a fragmentary view taken in the direction of the
arrow R in FIG. 16; and
[0041] FIG. 18 is a partly enlarged view of an another example of
the temperature controlling damper according to the second
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0042] Preferred embodiments of an air conditioning system for use
in a vehicle according to the present invention will now be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0043] Firstly, referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, a first embodiment of
the vehicle air conditioning system of the present invention will
be described below;
[0044] Referring to FIG. 1, a reference numeral 1 designates a
vehicle or automotive of a so-called minivan type. The vehicle 1
has a conventional first air conditioner unit 2 located in an
instrumental panel within the front thereof and a second air
conditioner unit 4, which is a first embodiment of the present
invention, located within the back or rear thereof. More
specifically, the second air conditioner unit 4 is positioned
within a limited space between a wheel housing 6 for a rear wheel
and a D-pillar 8 which is the most-rearward pillar-post of the
vehicle.
[0045] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a basic construction of the
second air conditioner unit 4 (hereinafter referred to as air
conditioning system 4) according to the first embodiment of the
present invention, a description of which will be given below.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 2, the air conditioning system 4 includes
an air conditioning unit casing 10. An evaporator 12 working as a
heat exchanger providing a cooling function is mounted generally in
an upright position in the upper portion of the casing 10. A heater
core 14 working as a heat exchanger providing a heating function is
mounted below the bottom end of the evaporator 12 such that the
heater core 14 and the evaporator 12 are not superposed when seen
in a front-to-back direction of the vehicle. That is, the heater
core 14 and the evaporator 12 are located within a relatively short
distance or dimension in a vehicle front-to-back or longitudinal
direction. The evaporator 12 is connected with a compressor (not
shown) and a condenser (not shown) via a refrigerant conduit to
complete a refrigerant circuit. The heater core 14 is located below
a radiator (not shown) so that it can receive and utilize a hot
engine coolant being fed by gravity from the radiator.
[0047] As shown, the evaporator 12 has an air intake duct 16
fluidly connected to the air intake side (upstream side) of the
evaporator. At its upstream end, the air intake duct 16 is in fluid
communication with one or more return air inlets (not shown)
through which air is drawn from the passenger compartment of the
vehicle into the air intake duct 16. The return air then flows into
the evaporator 12 via the air duct 16.
[0048] The casing 10 is provided at its rear upper portion with at
lease one vent outlet 18 for discharging a conditioned air toward
the upper portion of the passenger. The casing is further provided
at its front lower portion with at least one foot outlet 20 for
discharging a conditioned air toward the foot area of the
passenger.
[0049] The first embodiment of the air conditioning system of the
present invention can operate in two modes of a vent mode and a
foot mode. The vent outlet 18 is open and the foot outlet is closed
in the vent mode, and the vent outlet 18 is closed and the foot
outlet 20 is open in the foot mode.
[0050] The evaporator 12 also has a first bypass passage 22 fluidly
connected to the air discharge side (downstream side) of the
evaporator and operatively placed in fluid communication with the
vent outlet 18. In the vent mode of the air conditioning system,
for example after passing through the evaporator 12, the
conditioned air may flow through the first bypass passage 22 and
then out of the vent outlet 18 while bypassing the heater core 14.
Also, the evaporator has a second bypass passage 24 fluidly
connected to the air discharge side of the evaporator and
operatively placed in fluid communication with foot outlet 20. In
the foot mode of the air conditioning system, for example, after
passing through the evaporator 12, the conditioned air may flow
through the second bypass passage 24 and then out of the foot
outlet 20 while bypassing the heater core 14.
[0051] The heater core 14 has a first heater core passage 26
fluidly connected to the rear side thereof and placed in fluid
communication with the first bypass passage 22 and the vent outlet
18. The heater core 14 further has a second heater core passage 28
fluidly connected to the front side thereof and placed in fluid
communication with the second bypass passage 24 and the foot outlet
20.
[0052] The vent outlet 18 is provided with a vent damper 30 working
as a mode switching damper, while the foot outlet 20 is provided
with a foot damper 32 working as a mode switching damper. In the
vent mode, opening of the vent damper 30 can cause the vent outlet
18 to be open while at the same time closing of the foot damper 30
can cause the vent outlet to be closed. In the foot mode, closing
of the vent damper 30 can cause the vent outlet 18 to be closed
while at the same time opening of the foot damper 32 can cause the
foot outlet 20 to be open.
[0053] A temperature controlling damper 34 is provided at the end
of the second bypass passage associated with the evaporator 12
(i.e., at the inlet of the bypass passage 24). An opening of the
temperature controlling damper 34 can be controlled so as to
determine a proportion in which the rate of air after flowing
through the evaporator 12 is divided into the first bypass passage
22 and the second bypass passage 24. The opening of the temperature
controlling damper 34 can range from 0% to 100%. The temperature
controlling damper 34 is operated so as to direct all of the air
flow from the evaporator 12 toward the second bypass passage 24 at
100% opening of the damper. The temperature controlling damper 34
is operated so as to direct all of the air flow from the evaporator
toward the first bypass passage 22 at 0% opening of the damper.
[0054] An operation of the first embodiment of the air conditioning
system according to the present invention will be described below.
FIGS. 3 to 5 illustrate a flow pattern of the air in the air
conditioning system 4 when the system is in the vent mode. FIGS. 6
to 8 illustrate a flow pattern of the air in the air conditioning
system 4 when the system is in the FOOT mode.
[0055] Firstly, referring to FIG. 3, when it is desired that the
conditioned air is discharged via the vent outlet 18 into the
passenger compartment in its fully cooling state at a vent mode (a
max-cool state), the vent damper 30 is opened and at the same time
the foot damper 32 is closed while the temperature controlling
damper 34 is in the fully closed position (at 0% opening thereof).
Such operation of the dampers 30, 32 and 34 permits all of the air
which is dehumidified and cooled by means of the evaporator 12 to a
desired temperature to flow through the first bypass passage 22 to
the vent outlet 18 and then into the passenger compartment. In this
case, such air is preventing from being directed toward the heater
core 14, i.e., flowing through the second bypass passage 24.
[0056] Secondly, referring to FIG. 4, when it is desired that the
conditioned air is discharged via the vent outlet 18 into the
passenger compartment at a desired temperature at a vent mode (a
mix state), the vent damper 30 is opened and at the same time foot
damper 32 is closed while the temperature controlling damper 34 is
set to a predetermined opening (0% to 100% opening) depending on
the desired temperature in the passenger compartment. In such
operation of the dampers 30, 32 and 34, the air which is
dehumidified and cooled by means of the evaporator 12, is caused to
partly flow through the first bypass passage 22 to the vent outlet
18, while the remaining air flow is directed through the second
bypass passage 24 and the second heater core passage 28 toward the
heater core 14 where it experiences a rise in temperature. Then,
the remaining air thus heated can flow to the vent outlet 18 where
it mixes with the cooled air flow from the evaporator 12 to produce
an air flow having a desired or selected final temperature which is
then discharged into the passenger compartment via the vent outlet
18.
[0057] Thirdly, referring to FIG. 5, when it is desired that the
conditioned air is discharged via the vent outlet 18 into the
passenger compartment in its fully heating state at a vent mode (a
max-heat state), the vent damper 30 is opened and at the same time
the foot damper 32 is closed while the temperature controlling
damper 34 is in the fully open position (at 100% opening thereof).
Such operation of the dampers 30, 32, 34 permits all of the air
which is dehumidified by means of the evaporator 12 to flow through
the second bypass passage 24 and the second heater core passage 28
toward the heater core 14 where it experiences a rise in
temperature. Then, the air thus heated can flow through the first
vent passage 26 to the vent outlet 18 and then into the passenger
compartment. In this case, such air is preventing from flowing
through the first bypass passage 22.
[0058] Fourthly, referring to FIG. 6, when it is desired that the
conditioned air is discharged via the foot outlet 20 into the
passenger compartment in its fully cooling state at a foot mode (a
max-cool state), the vent damper 30 is closed and at the same time
the foot damper 32 is opened while the temperature controlling
damper 34 is in the fully open position (at 100% opening thereof).
Such operation of the dampers 30, 32 and 34 permits all of the air
which is dehumidified and cooled by means of the evaporator 12 to a
desired temperature to flow through the second bypass passage 24 to
the foot outlet 20 and then into the passenger compartment. In this
case, such air is preventing from being directing toward the heater
core 14, i.e., flowing through the first bypass passage 22.
[0059] Fifthly, referring to FIG. 7, when it is desired that the
conditioned air is discharged via the foot outlet 20 into the
passenger compartment at a desired or selected final temperature at
a foot mode (a mix state), the vent damper 30 is closed and at the
same time foot damper 32 is opened while the temperature
controlling damper 34 is set to a predetermined opening (0% to 100%
opening) depending on the desired temperature in the passenger
compartment. In such operation of the dampers 30, 32 and 34, the
air which is dehumidified and cooled by means of the evaporator 12,
is caused to partly flow through the first bypass passage 22 and
the first heater core passage 26 to the heater core 14 where it
experiences a rise in temperature. Then, the air thus heated can
flow to the foot outlet 20, while the remaining air flow is
directed through the second bypass passage 24 toward the foot
outlet 20. The remaining air is prevented from flowing through the
heater core 14. Then, the flow of the remaining air can pass to the
foot outlet 20 where it mixes with the cooled air flow from the
evaporator 12 to produce an air flow having a desired temperature
which is then discharged into the passenger compartment via the
foot outlet 20.
[0060] Sixthly, referring to FIG. 8, when it is desired that the
conditioned air is discharged via the foot outlet 20 into the
passenger compartment in its fully heating state at a foot mode (a
max-heat state), the vent damper 30 is closed and at the same time
the foot damper 32 is opened while the temperature controlling
damper 34 is in the fully closed position (at 0% opening thereof).
Such operation of the dampers 30, 32 and 34 permits all of the air
which is dehumidified by means of the evaporator 12 to flow through
the first bypass passage 22 and the first heater core passage 26
toward the heater core 14 where it experiences a rise in
temperature. Then, the flow of the air thus heated can flow through
the second heater core passage 28 to the foot outlet 20 and then
into the passenger compartment. In this case, such air is
preventing from flowing through the second bypass passage 24.
[0061] According to the first embodiment of the present invention,
the arrangement of the evaporator 12 and the heater core 14 is such
that they are not superposed when seen in the front-to-back
direction or longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Such
arrangement provides a reduced longitudinal dimension of the air
conditioning system, so that it can be conveniently located in a
limited space, e.g., the space between the wheel housing 6 for the
rear wheel and the D-pillar.
[0062] Further, according to the first embodiment of the invention,
opening of the temperature controlling damper 34 can be controlled
so as to control a proportion in which the rate of the air is
divided into the first and second bypass passages 22 and 24 located
backward or downstream of the evaporator 12, thereby making it
possible to discharge the air having a desired selected final
temperature via either the vent outlet 18 or the foot outlet 20
into the passenger compartment.
[0063] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the first
and second heater core passages 26 and 28 are located forwardly and
backwardly of the heater core 14, respectively so as to be in fluid
communication with the first and second bypass passages 22 and 24,
respectively, thereby making it possible to provide a more compact
air conditioning system.
[0064] Referring to FIGS. 9 to 18, a second embodiment of the
vehicle air conditioning system of the invention will be described
below.
[0065] In FIG. 9, there is shown an air conditioning system
designated reference numeral 40. As with the first embodiment, the
air conditioning system 40 is positioned within a limited space
between a wheel housing 6 for a rear wheel and a D-pillar 8 which
is the most-rearward pillar-post of the vehicle 1 of the
minivan-type.
[0066] The air conditioning system 40 includes an air conditioning
casing 42. Evaporator 12 working as a heat exchanger providing a
heating function is mounted generally in an upright position in the
upper portion of the casing 42. A heater core 14 working as a heat
exchanger providing a cooling function is mounted below the bottom
end of the evaporator 12 such that the heater core 14 and the
evaporator 12 are not superposed when seen in the front-to-back
direction or longitudinal direction of the vehicle. That is, the
heater core 14 and the evaporator 12 are located within a
relatively short distance or dimension in a vehicle front-to-back
or longitudinal direction. The evaporator 12 is connected with
other components as with the first embodiment to complete a
refrigerant circuit. The heater core 14 is located below a radiator
(not shown) for the same reason as set forth above.
[0067] Preferably, the heater core 14 is disposed generally
perpendicular to a flow direction of the air through the foot
outlet 20 to provide a reduced flow resistance of the air through
the heater core 14.
[0068] The evaporator 12 has an air intake duct 16 fluidly
connected to the air intake side (upstream side) of the evaporator.
As with the first embodiment, the air intake duct 16 at its
upstream end is in fluid communication with one or more return air
inlets (not shown) through which air is drawn from the passenger
compartment of the vehicle into the air intake duct 16. The return
air then flows into the evaporator 12 via the air duct 16.
[0069] The casing 42 is provided at its rear upper portion with at
least one vent outlet 18 for discharging a conditioned air toward
the upper portion of the passenger. The casing 42 is further
provided at its front lower portion with at least one foot outlet
20 for discharging a conditioned air toward the foot area of the
passenger.
[0070] As with the first embodiment, the second embodiment of the
air conditioning system of the present invention can operate either
in the vent mode or in the foot mode.
[0071] The evaporator 12 also has a first passage 44 fluidly
connected to the air discharge side (downstream side) of the
evaporator and operatively placed in fluid communication with the
vent outlet 18. In the vent mode of the air conditioning system,
for example, after passing through the evaporator 12, the
conditioned air may flow through the first passage 44 and then out
of the vent outlet 18 while bypassing the heater core 14.
[0072] The heater core 14 has a first heater core passage 46
fluidly connected to the rear side thereof and placed in fluid
communication with the first passage 44 and vent outlet 18, and a
second heater core passage 48 fluidly connected to the front side
thereof and placed in fluid communication with the foot outlet 20
on the one hand and in direct communication with the upstream side
of the evaporator 12, i.e., the downstream side 16a of the air
intake duct 16 in such a manner not as to interpose the evaporator
12 therebetween on the other hand.
[0073] As with the first embodiment, the vent outlet 18 is provided
with a vent damper 30 while the foot outlet 20 is provided with a
foot damper 32. In the vent mode, opening of the vent damper 30 can
cause the vent outlet 18 to be open while at the same time closing
of the foot damper 30 can cause the vent outlet to be closed. In
the foot mode, closing of the vent damper 30 can cause the vent
outlet 18 to be closed while at the same time opening of the foot
damper 32 can cause the foot outlet 20 to be open.
[0074] A temperature controlling damper 50 is provided between the
second heater core passage 48 and the end 16a of the air intake
duct 16. An opening of the temperature controlling damper 50 can be
controlled so as to determine the rate of a portion of the air
flowing through the air intake duct 16 into the evaporator 12 and
the rate of the remaining air bypassing the evaporator 12 and
entering into the second heater core passage 48 in a controlled
proportion. Again, the opening of the temperature controlling
damper 50 can range from 0% to 100%. The temperature controlling
damper 50 is operated to direct all of the air flow from the air
intake duct 16 toward the evaporator 12 at 0% opening of the
temperature controlling damper 50 and to direct the air toward the
evaporator 12 and the second heater core passage 48 in a
predetermined ratio at 100% opening of the damper.
[0075] The casing 42 is connected at its lower end to a floor panel
52 of the vehicle. As shown, the floor panel 52 is provided with a
drain conduit 54 for draining any condensate from the evaporator 12
and a conduit for use with the heater core.
[0076] An operation of the second embodiment of the air
conditioning system according to the present invention will be
described below. FIGS. 10 to 12 illustrate an air flow in the air
conditioning system 40 when the system is in the vent mode. FIGS.
13 to 15 illustrate an air flow in the air conditioning system 4
when the system is in the foot mode.
[0077] Firstly, referring to FIG. 10, when it is desired that the
conditioned air is discharged via the vent outlet 18 into the
passenger compartment in its fully cooling state at a vent mode (a
max-cool state), the vent damper 30 is opened and at the same time
the foot damper 32 is closed while the temperature controlling
damper 50 is in the fully closed position (at 0% opening thereof).
Such operation of the dampers 30, 32 and 50 permits all of the air
flowing through the air intake duct 16 to be directed toward the
evaporator 12 where it is dehumidified and cooled to a desired
temperature. The air having the desired temperature then flows
through the first passage 44 to the vent outlet 18 and then into
the passenger compartment. In this case, it is noted that such air
is preventing from flowing through the heater core 14.
[0078] Secondly, referring to FIG. 11, when it is desired that the
conditioned air is discharged via the vent outlet 18 into the
passenger compartment at a desired temperature at a vent mode (a
mix state), the vent damper 30 is opened and at the same time foot
damper 32 is closed while the temperature controlling damper 50 is
set to a first predetermined opening (0% to 100% opening) depending
on the desired temperature in the passenger compartment. In such
operation of the dampers 30, 32 and 50, a portion of the air
flowing through the air intake duct 16 is caused to flow into the
evaporator 12 where it is dehumidified and cooled. Such air portion
then flows through the first passage 44 to the vent outlet 18. The
remaining air from the air intake duct 16 bypasses the evaporator
12 and flows directly through the second heater core passage 48
toward the heater core 14 where it experiences a rise in
temperature. Then, the remaining air thus heated can flow through
the first heater core passage 46 and the first passage 44 to the
vent outlet 18 where it mixes with the cooled air flow from the
evaporator 12 to produce an air flow having a desired temperature
which is then discharged into the passenger compartment via the
vent outlet 18.
[0079] Thirdly, referring to FIG. 12, when it is desired that the
conditioned air is discharged via the vent outlet 18 into the
passenger compartment in its fully heating state at a vent mode (a
max-heat state), the vent damper 30 is opened and at the same time
the foot damper 32 is closed while the temperature controlling
damper 50 is in the fully open position (at 100% opening thereof.
In such operation of the dampers 30, 32 and 50, a portion (minimum
in flow rate) of the air flowing through the air intake duct 16 is
caused to flow into the evaporator 12 where it is dehumidified and
cooled. Such air portion flows through the first passage 44 to the
vent outlet 18. The remaining air (maximum in flow rate) from the
air intake duct 16 bypasses the evaporator 12 and flows directly
through the second heater core passage 48 toward the heater core 14
where it experiences a rise in temperature. Then, the remaining air
thus heated can flow through the first heater core passage 46 and
the first passage 44 to the vent outlet 18 where it mixes with the
dehumidified air flow from the evaporator 12 to produce an air flow
having a desired or selected final temperature which is then
discharged into the passenger compartment via the vent outlet
18.
[0080] Fourthly, referring to FIG. 13, when it is desired that the
conditioned air is discharged via the foot outlet 20 into the
passenger compartment in its fully cooling state at a foot mode (a
max-cool state), the vent damper 30 is closed and at the same time
the foot damper 32 is opened while the temperature controlling
damper 50 is in the fully closed position (at 0% opening thereof).
Such operation of the dampers 30, 32 and 50 permits all of the air
flowing through the air intake duct 16 to be directed toward the
evaporator 12 where it is dehumidified and cooled to a desired
temperature. The air having the desired temperature then flows
through the first passage 44, the first heater core passage 46, the
heater core 14 and then the second heater core passage 48 to the
foot outlet 20 and then into the passenger compartment
[0081] Fifthly, referring to FIG. 14, when it is desired that the
conditioned air is discharged via the foot outlet 20 into the
passenger compartment at a desired temperature at a foot mode (a
mix state), the vent damper 30 is closed and at the same time foot
damper 32 is opened while the temperature controlling damper 50 is
set to a second predetermined opening (0% to 100% opening)
depending on the desired temperature in the passenger compartment.
In such operation of the dampers 30, 32 and 50, a portion of the
air flowing through the air intake duct 16 is caused to flow into
the evaporator 12 where it is dehumidified and cooled. Such air
portion then flows through the first passage 44 and the first
heater core 46 to the heater core 14 where it is heated to a
predetermined temperature. Then, the air portion flows to the foot
outlet 20. The remaining air from the air intake duct 16 flows
directly into the second heater core passage 48 by bypassing both
of the evaporator 12 and the heater core 14, i.e., while subjecting
to neither of cooling nor heating. Such the remaining flow of the
unconditioned air flows to the foot outlet 20 where it is mixed
with the conditioned air flow to produce an air flow having a
desired temperature which is then discharged into the passenger
compartment via the foot outlet 20.
[0082] Sixthly, referring to FIG. 15, when it is desired that the
conditioned air is discharged via the foot outlet 20 into the
passenger compartment in its fully heating state at a foot mode (a
max-heat state), the vent damper 30 is closed and at the same time
the foot damper 32 is opened while the temperature controlling
damper 50 is in the fully open position (at 100% opening thereof).
In such operation of the dampers 30, 32 and 50, a portion (minimum
in flow rate) of the air flowing through the air intake duct 16 is
caused to flow into the evaporator 12 where it is dehumidified and
cooled. Such air portion: flows through the first passage 44 and
the first heater core 46 to the heater core 14 where it is heated
to a predetermined temperature. Then, the air portion flows to the
foot outlet 20. The flow of the remaining air from the air intake
duct 16 flows directly into the second heater core passage 48 by
bypassing both of the evaporator 12 and the heater core 14, i.e.,
while subjecting to neither of cooling nor heating. Such the
remaining flow of the unconditioned air flows to the foot outlet 20
where it is mixed with the conditioned air flow to produce an air
flow having a desired temperature which is then discharged into the
passenger compartment via the foot outlet 20.
[0083] According to the second embodiment of the present invention,
the arrangement of the evaporator 12 and the heater core 14 is such
that they are not superposed when seen in the front-to-back
direction or longitudinal direction of the vehicle, as with the
first embodiment described above. Such arrangement provides a
reduced longitudinal dimension of the air conditioning system 40,
so that it can be conveniently located in a limited space, e.g.,
the space between the wheel wells 6 for the rear wheels and the
D-pillar.
[0084] Further, according to the second embodiment of the present
invention, opening of the temperature controlling damper 50 which
is disposed between the second heater core passage 48 and the
downstream side 16a of the air intake duct 16 can be controlled so
as to determine the rate of the air flowing through the air intake
duct into the evaporator 12 and the rate of the air bypassing the
evaporator 12 and flowing directly into the second heater core in a
controlled proportion, thereby making it possible to discharge the
air having a desired temperature via either the vent outlet 18 or
the foot outlet 20 into the passenger compartment.
[0085] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, in view of
the fact that the temperature controlling damper 50 is disposed
between the second heater core passage 48 and the downstream side
16a of the air intake duct 16 so that the unconditioned air, i.e.,
the air bypassing the evaporator 12 can be passed through the
second heater core passage 48, the temperature controlling capacity
provided by the air conditioning system of the second embodiment
might be less than that of the first embodiment. However, the air
conditioning system of the second embodiment is more compact than
that of the first embodiment due to a simplified arrangement of the
ducts in the casing 42.
[0086] Referring now to FIGS. 16 and 17, an another example of the
second embodiment will be described below. FIG. 16 is a
cross-sectional view of the vehicle air conditioning system
including a drain passage. FIG. 17 is a fragmentary view taken in
the direction of the arrow R in FIG. 6. As shown in FIGS. 16 and
17, a drain passage 60 is connected to the bottom of the evaporator
for draining a condensate produced in the evaporator 12. The drain
passage 60 has a receptacle 60a conforming the lower configuration
of the evaporator 12 and a lower end portion 60b extending to a
position spaced oppositely from the drain pipe 54 attached to the
floor panel 52. The drain passage 60 has a generally funnel-shaped
configuration which provides a reduced flow resistance of the air.
The drain passage 60 is firmly attached to a wall member 48a of the
second heater core passage 48.
[0087] Next, referring to FIG. 18, an another example of the second
embodiment will be described below. As shown in FIG. 18, the
temperature controlling damper 50 of the second embodiment is
operable to direct the air flow from the downstream side 16a of the
air intake duct 16 directly toward the second heater core 48. A
problem may arise when the temperature controlling damper 50 is in
its slightly opened state in contrast to when in the fully or
substantially opened state, because the high-velocity air
drastically flows through a gap between the distal end of the
damper 50 and the opposite wall of the duct 16 into the second
heater core 48. Accordingly, the damper 50 when in its slightly
opened state dose not provide a linear relationship between the
amount of the air which flows through the evaporator 12 and the
amount of the air which flows into the second heater core passage
48.
[0088] To overcome such problem, in one aspect of the second
embodiment, advantageously, a projecting member 62 in the shape of
a triangle as viewed in FIG. 18 can be secured to the temperature
controlling damper 50 at its face facing the second heater core 48.
When the temperature controlling damper 50 is the slightly opened
state, the projecting member 62 provide an increased flow
resistance for the air flowing into the second heater core passage
48 to prevent the drastic flow of the air thereinto, thereby making
it possible to provide the linear relationship between the amount
of the air which flows through the evaporator 12 and the amount of
the air which flows into the second heater core passage 48.
[0089] Although the present invention has been explained with
reference to specific, preferred embodiments, one of ordinary skill
in the art will recognize that modifications and improvements can
be made while remaining within the scope and spirit of the present
invention. The scope of the present invention is determined solely
by appended claims.
* * * * *