U.S. patent application number 13/515216 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-13 for air conditioning system for vehicles.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sanden Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Nobuhiko Fujii, Risa Nomura, Hirotaka Sakurai, Takashi Toyama. Invention is credited to Nobuhiko Fujii, Risa Nomura, Hirotaka Sakurai, Takashi Toyama.
Application Number | 20130145792 13/515216 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44145339 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130145792 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Toyama; Takashi ; et
al. |
June 13, 2013 |
Air Conditioning System for Vehicles
Abstract
Provided is an air conditioning system for vehicles, this air
conditioning system being configured in such a way that it is
possible to perform air conditioning for separate purposes, such as
for cooling a driver, this type of air conditioning being extremely
efficient in terms of energy, and that even if part of the air
conditioning system is installed in a vehicle cabin, it is possible
to meet requirements for securing a space in the vehicle cabin. The
aforementioned air conditioning system for vehicles comprises a
refrigeration circuit provided with a compressor, a condenser, an
expansion means, and an evaporator, and is characterized in that
the compressor and the condenser are disposed in an in-vehicle area
outside the vehicle cabin, and that the expansion means and the
evaporator are locally disposed in one or more selected specific
regions in the vehicle cabin, preferably in such a way as to be
incorporated into units.
Inventors: |
Toyama; Takashi;
(Isesaki-shi, JP) ; Fujii; Nobuhiko; (Isesaki-shi,
JP) ; Nomura; Risa; (Isesaki-shi, JP) ;
Sakurai; Hirotaka; (Isesaki-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Toyama; Takashi
Fujii; Nobuhiko
Nomura; Risa
Sakurai; Hirotaka |
Isesaki-shi
Isesaki-shi
Isesaki-shi
Isesaki-shi |
|
JP
JP
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Sanden Corporation
Gunma
JP
|
Family ID: |
44145339 |
Appl. No.: |
13/515216 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
December 8, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2010/007152 |
371 Date: |
September 11, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/498 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60H 1/00207 20130101;
B60H 1/00285 20130101; B60H 2001/00307 20130101; B60H 1/323
20130101; F25B 1/00 20130101; B60H 2001/00228 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/498 |
International
Class: |
F25B 1/00 20060101
F25B001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 10, 2009 |
JP |
2009-280327 |
Claims
1. An air conditioning system for vehicles having a refrigeration
circuit provided with a compressor for a refrigerant, a condenser,
an expansion means and an evaporator, wherein said compressor and
said condenser are disposed in an in-vehicle area outside a vehicle
cabin, and said expansion means and evaporator are locally disposed
in one or more specific regions selected in said vehicle cabin.
2. The air conditioning system for vehicles according to claim 1,
wherein at least one expansion means and one evaporator are
incorporated into a single unit and said unit or units are provided
by a number corresponding to a number of said specific region or
regions.
3. The air conditioning system for vehicles according to claim 2,
wherein an air blower is also incorporated in each of said unit or
units.
4. The air conditioning system for vehicles according to claim 2,
wherein a heater is also incorporated in each of said unit or
units.
5. The air conditioning system for vehicles according to claim 1,
wherein pairs of said expansion means and said evaporator are
connected to one compressor and one condenser in said refrigeration
circuit by branches of said refrigeration circuit.
6. The air conditioning system for vehicles according to claim 1,
wherein said specific region or regions include at least a region
around a driver's seat or an inner region of a seat, or both
thereof.
7. The air conditioning system for vehicles according to claim 1,
wherein said specific region or regions comprise a region around
any of occupant's seat including a driver's seat or an inner region
of a seat or both thereof, and is provided with an air outlet for
blowing conditioned air from a back side toward the rear
thereof.
8. The air conditioning system for vehicles according to claim 7,
wherein an air outlet for blowing air-conditioning wind having a
function as an air curtain from a side of said seat toward the
front is provided in said specific region or regions.
9. The air conditioning system for vehicles according to claim 1,
wherein said vehicle is an automobile.
10. The air conditioning system for vehicles according to claim 1,
wherein said in-vehicle area outside said vehicle cabin, in which
said compressor and said condenser are disposed, is a front area of
the vehicle ahead of an instrument panel or a rear area of an
instrument panel.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning system
for vehicles, and specifically, to an air conditioning system for
vehicles which is suitable for energy conservation in general
automobiles, enhancement of efficiency of air-conditioning for
occupants and securing the front space in the vehicle cabin.
BACKGROUND ART OF THE INVENTION
[0002] An air conditioning system for general automobiles except
construction vehicles, etc. usually has a refrigeration circuit
provided with a compressor for refrigerant, a condenser, an
expansion means (an expansion valve) and an evaporator. Such a
refrigeration circuit provided with these instruments is configured
to be generally disposed at a position forward of an instrument
panel (such a situation is also referred to as "in the instrument
panel" herein) so as to send air from the refrigeration circuit
into the vehicle cabin through air outlets of air-conditioning wind
provided at various positions. Further, in some cases, a single
unit incorporating an air blower in addition to the expansion means
and the evaporator integrally is disposed in or under the
instrument panel similarly. Generally, by using such an air
conditioning system for vehicles, the whole inside of the vehicle
cabin can be cooled.
[0003] In the conventional technology related to the present
invention, a configuration is known that an air conditioning system
is disposed under a manipulator seat in a construction vehicle such
as a vehicle with a shovel (e.g. Patent Document 1). However, in a
construction vehicle, the air conditioning system must be placed
under the seat or at the back of the seat, etc. because the
installation space of the air conditioning system such as an engine
room does not exist in front of the manipulator (the driver) to
begin with. Therefore, the object of Patent Document 1 is
essentially different from the object of the present invention
described later.
PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS
Patent Document
[0004] Patent document 1: JP-A-2006-192997
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0005] In a conventional air conditioning system for general
automobiles as described above, basically, the whole inside of the
vehicle cabin is cooled by the air conditioning system. However, in
the case where the driver is the only occupant in the vehicle, it
is often unnecessary to cool the whole inside of the vehicle cabin,
and in such a case cooling the whole inside of the vehicle cabin is
disadvantageous from the viewpoint of energy.
[0006] Further, because occupation volume of the whole air
conditioning system for vehicles is relatively large, it may be
difficult to secure the occupation volume of the whole system in
the engine room. Furthermore, when part of the system such as a
unit comprising the expansion means, the evaporator and the air
blower is disposed under the instrument panel, there is a fear that
securing the foot space of the passenger seat or walking through
between the driving seat and the passenger seat may be prevented,
and there is also a fear that it may become difficult to satisfy
the demand to secure space in the vehicle cabin.
[0007] Accordingly, paying attention to the above-described
problems in conventional air conditioning systems for general
automobiles, the object of the present invention is to provide an
air conditioning system for vehicles which enables an individual
air-conditioning that is extremely efficient in energy terms, and
which is configured so as to meet the demand to secure space in the
vehicle cabin even when part of the air conditioning system is
disposed in the vehicle cabin.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0008] To achieve the above-described object, an air conditioning
system for vehicles according to the present invention is an air
conditioning system for vehicles having a refrigeration circuit
provided with a compressor, a condenser, an expansion means and an
evaporator, characterized in that the compressor and the condenser
are disposed in an in-vehicle area outside a vehicle cabin, and the
expansion means and evaporator are locally disposed in one or more
specific regions selected in the vehicle cabin.
[0009] The refrigerant compressed by the compressor and condensed
by the condenser in the high-pressure part of the refrigeration
circuit is decompressed and expanded by the expansion means, and is
vaporized in the evaporator. The refrigerant in the evaporator
exchanges heat with external air, and the cooled air is used as
cooling air for air-conditioning in the vehicle. In the air
conditioning system for vehicles according to the present
invention, the above-described expansion means and evaporator are
disposed in one or more specific regions selected in the vehicle
cabin away from positions of the compressor and the condenser.
Therefore, the installation space of the expansion means and
evaporator taking charge of air-conditioning can be small and it is
possible to achieve reductions in size and in thickness. Further,
the expansion means and the evaporator can be disposed at arbitrary
positions in the vehicle cabin by routing refrigerant plumbing
appropriately because the compressor and the condenser in the
refrigeration circuit are connected to the expansion means and the
evaporator with the refrigerant plumbing. Therefore, by selecting
an appropriate region in the vehicle cabin as the specific region,
for example, a region which is other than the foot space of the
passenger seat, etc. and is almost a dead space that is not
effectively used conventionally, a refrigerated air-conditioning
locally in the vicinity of the region (like a spot) through the
expansion means and the evaporator which are disposed at the region
can be performed. Conditioning local air as needed instead of
conditioning the whole air in the vehicle cabin makes it possible
to keep a load on the compressor in a requisite minimum range and
to achieve energy conservation. Further, as will be described
later, if a region such as a region under the seat is selected as
the above-described specific region or regions, the space under the
instrument panel may not be used, the foot space of the passenger
seat can be secured widely, and it is possible to meet the demand
to secure space in the front part of the vehicle cabin.
[0010] In the air conditioning system for vehicles according to the
present invention, a structure may be employed wherein at least one
expansion means and one evaporator are assembled into a single unit
and the unit or units are provided by a number corresponding to a
number of the above-described specific region or regions. By
assembling the expansion means and the evaporator into the unit,
the unit can be made thinner and smaller as a whole with ease, and
the unit incorporating these instruments integrally can be easily
disposed in the specified region or regions selected in the vehicle
cabin as described above.
[0011] In this case, a configuration may be employed wherein an air
blower is also assembled in each of the unit(s). Such a
configuration makes it possible to exchange heat between the air
coming from the air blower and the evaporator as needed, and makes
it possible to send the air to a desired destination as air for
air-conditioning.
[0012] Further, a configuration may also be employed wherein a
heater is also assembled in each of the unit(s). Such a
configuration enables heating performed by the heater as needed.
And this configuration also makes it possible to exchange heat
between the air coming from the air blower and the evaporator and
makes it possible to send the air to a desired destination as air
for air-conditioning.
[0013] Further, in the air conditioning system for vehicles
according to the invention, basically, it is preferred that two or
more specific regions selected in the vehicle cabin are configured
so that air-conditioning can be performed locally in a specified
region out of those specific regions that is needed at that moment.
Such a configuration can be realized by a branch configuration of
the refrigeration circuit (a branch configuration of refrigerant
plumbing). Namely, it is a configuration wherein one compressor and
one condenser in the refrigeration circuit are connected to pairs
of the expansion means and the evaporator with a branch or branches
of the refrigeration circuit.
[0014] Further, the above-described specific region or regions may
include at least a region around a seat for the driver (a region
around a seat including a lower portion of the seat), a region in a
seat (an inner region of the seat itself) or both of those regions.
Such a configuration makes it possible to perform spot
air-conditioning which is performed only in a region of the seat
for the driver, and makes it possible to perform the most efficient
air-conditioning in energy consumption when the driver is the only
occupant in the vehicle. In addition, other region can also be
selected and configured as the above-described specific region or
regions. For example, a region of a roof panel or its vicinity can
be selected as the specific region or regions.
[0015] Furthermore, a configuration may be employed wherein the
specific region or regions comprise a region around any of
occupant's seat including a driver's seat, an inner region of a
seat or both of those regions, and the specific region or regions
are provided with an air outlet for blowing air-conditioning wind
from the back of the seat toward the rear. Such a configuration
makes it possible that the unit incorporating at least the
expansion means and the evaporator integrally is provided with the
driving seat and passenger seat so that each specific region can be
air-conditioned, and makes it possible that the rear seat region is
air-conditioned as needed by the air-conditioning wind blown from
the air outlet provided on the back of the driving seat and
passenger seat toward the rear. Therefore, while the number of the
units incorporating the expansion means and evaporator integrally
is kept in a requisite minimum, the on-demand air-conditionings can
be carried out from the local air-conditioning to the
air-conditioning of the whole vehicle cabin.
[0016] If the region around the occupant's seat, etc. is configured
to be the specific region or regions in the present invention, a
configuration may be employed wherein an air outlet for blowing
air-conditioning wind having a function as an air curtain from a
side of the seat toward the front is provided in the specific
region or regions. Such a configuration makes it possible that the
air-conditioning wind blown from the air outlet flows from the side
(e.g. both sides) of the seat toward the front and then flows
forward of the occupant as detouring. Therefore, as for the
occupant, a comfortable air-conditioned state can be obtained
because an atmosphere directly around the occupant can be shielded
appropriately from an outer atmosphere in terms of temperature so
that the local air-conditioning (spot-like air-conditioning) can be
performed most efficiently while a discomfort caused by
air-conditioning wind coming into direct contact with skin is not
caused.
[0017] Such an air conditioning system for vehicles according to
the present invention is applicable to any kind of vehicles, and is
particularly useful in cases where the vehicle comprises an
automobile, basically.
[0018] As described above, the region where at least the expansion
means and the evaporator are disposed is a selected specific region
in the vehicle cabin. However, as for the region out of the vehicle
cabin on the vehicle where the compressor and the condenser are
disposed, for example, a forward region of the vehicle than the
instrument panel (for example, inside the engine room) or a region
in the rear of the instrument panel can be adopted. In addition to
these regions, for example, a trunk room can also be adopted.
Effect According to the Invention
[0019] Thus, in the air conditioning system for vehicles according
to the present invention, local air-conditioning in the vehicle
cabin can be performed and energy conservation can be achieved as
keeping the load on the compressor in a requisite minimum range.
Further, by choosing a region under a seat as the specified region
or regions in the vehicle cabin where the expansion means and the
evaporator are disposed, expansion of the foot space of the
passenger seat can be achieved and it is possible to meet the
demand to secure space in the front part of the vehicle cabin.
Furthermore, more efficient spot-like air conditioning and more
comfortable local air conditioning can be carried out if the
air-conditioning wind from the specified region has an air-curtain
function.
BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view of an air
conditioning system for vehicles according to an embodiment of the
present invention in a vehicle-mounted state.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of an air conditioning
system for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present
invention in a vehicle-mounted state.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration
example of a unit disposed under a seat.
EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
explained referring to figures.
[0024] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 depict an example of a vehicle-mounted
state of an air conditioning system for vehicles according to an
embodiment of the present invention. In the figures, symbol 1
depicts the whole air conditioning system for vehicles, and air
conditioning system for vehicles 1 is provided with refrigeration
circuit 2 in which refrigerant is circulated. Refrigeration circuit
2 is provided with plural local air conditioning units 7, in which
one refrigerant compressor 3, condenser 4, expansion valve 5 as an
expansion means connected to the compressor 3 and condenser 4
through refrigerant plumbing, and evaporator 6 are assembled into
one unit. In this embodiment, each local air conditioning unit 7 is
disposed locally under each seat 8 including a driver's seat 8a (a
driving seat), and such region under each seat is equivalent to one
or more specific regions selected in vehicle cabin 9 as referred to
in the present invention. Compressor 3 and condenser 4 is placed on
the forward side than instrument panel 10 as an in-vehicle area
outside the vehicle cabin, and plural local air conditioning units
7 are placed on the backward side than instrument panel 10 inside
the vehicle cabin. In this embodiment, as an individual air
conditioning unit different from above-described local air
conditioning unit 7 in the vehicle cabin, air conditioning unit for
defrosters 11 is installed below the windshield. Air conditioning
unit for defrosters 11 is configured so that the exterior air can
also be taken therethrough as well, and each of plural local air
conditioning units 7 is basically configured so as to take the
interior air (the in-vehicle air) therethrough.
[0025] As for the refrigerant plumbing in refrigeration circuit 2
shown in FIG. 2, the plumbing displayed as solid lines mean high
pressure refrigerant plumbing 12, and the plumbing displayed as
dashed lines mean low pressure refrigerant plumbing 13. High
pressure refrigerant plumbing 12 to respective local air
conditioning units 7 are branched at branch portion 14, and are
configured so as to pass the refrigerant only to needed unit 7
through a valve, etc. Low pressure refrigerant plumbing 13 from
respective local air conditioning unit 7 are connected to
compressor 3 after being joined. Therefore, it is possible to
select which local air conditioning unit 7 to be operated.
[0026] Each local air conditioning unit 7 is configured so that a
region in which the unit is installed can be air-conditioned
individually and locally. For example, in the case where the unit
is installed under a seat, particularly in the case under the
driving seat as shown in the figures, air-conditioning wind 16 and
17 are blown toward the front from the back of the seat, and
further, toward the front from the side of the seat to the front of
driver 15 as detouring. In particular, air-conditioning wind 17 is
blown as a flow in air curtain form and is configured so as to
shield an atmosphere closely around driver 15 from outer atmosphere
in terms of temperature appropriately, raising local air
conditioning efficiency in this area. Further, causing discomfort
in local air conditioning is prevented because air-conditioning
wind 17 is configured not to come into direct contact with driver
15 on the front side. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, when local
air conditioning unit 7 is installed for driving seat 8a or
passenger seat 8, it is possible to configure the unit so that it
can blow air-conditioning wind partly toward the rear seat. In the
example shown in the figure, air-conditioning wind 18 is "VENT"
air-conditioning wind for the rear seat and air-conditioning wind
19 is "FOOT" air-conditioning wind for the rear seat. In the case
where such air outlets for air-conditioning wind 18 and 19 are
provided, local air conditioning unit 7 under the rear seat is
omissible. In this embodiment, expansion valve 5 is placed in
vehicle cabin 9. However, expansion valve 5 can also be placed in
the engine room. Such a configuration makes it possible that a
larger space in the vehicle cabin can be provided.
[0027] Each local air conditioning unit 7 is configured, for
example, as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 depicts the case where local
air conditioning unit 7 is placed under driving seat 8a or
passenger seat 8. In this example, evaporator 6, air blower 20
which takes air-conditioning air from the vehicle cabin and blows
it out toward evaporator 6, and heater core 21 are provided in unit
7. Symbol 22 means "VENT" air outlet for air-conditioning wind on
seat 8 (to an upper body of an occupant) in unit 7 and symbol 23
means "FOOT" air outlet for air-conditioning wind to the feet of
the occupant, respectively. The air blown from "FOOT" air outlet 23
can be regulated by "FOOT" damper 24 provided in unit 7. The
BILEVEL mode of "VENT"/"FOOT", in which air-conditioning wind is
blown from both air outlets 22 and 23, is also available.
[0028] In air conditioning system for vehicles 1 according to this
embodiment, local air conditioning unit 7 into which expansion
valve 5 and evaporator 6 of refrigeration circuit 2 are
incorporated is placed in each specific region or regions where
local air conditioning is required in the vehicle cabin so as to
operate air conditioning efficiently only in a region where air
conditioning is required at that time with requisite minimum
energy. Therefore, it is possible to provide energy conservation
for the vehicle as a whole and to seek to cut down on fuel.
[0029] Further, each local air conditioning unit 7 placed in the
specific region or regions can be configured to be a small thin
unit so as to install unit 7 easily and appropriately by making
effective use of an unused space, for example, a space under a
seat. As a result, by installing the unit under the driving seat or
passenger seat instead of under the instrument panel, for example,
the foot space for the passenger seat can be secured widely and it
is possible to meet the demand for securing space in the front part
of the vehicle cabin effectively. Further, it is possible to
contribute to secure space in the engine room because the total
volume of instruments placed in the front part of the instrument
panel can be kept small.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS OF THE INVENTION
[0030] The air conditioning system for vehicles according to the
present invention is particularly suitable for automobiles, and
more realistically, suitable as a structure capable of local air
conditioning around the driver.
EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS
[0031] 1: air conditioning system for vehicles [0032] 2:
refrigeration circuit [0033] 3: compressor [0034] 4: condenser
[0035] 5: expansion valve as expansion means [0036] 6: evaporator
[0037] 7: local air conditioning unit [0038] 8, 8a: seat [0039] 9:
vehicle cabin [0040] 10: instrument panel [0041] 11: air
conditioning unit for defrosters [0042] 12: high pressure
refrigerant plumbing [0043] 13: low pressure refrigerant plumbing
[0044] 14: branch portion [0045] 15: driver [0046] 16, 17, 18, 19:
air-conditioning wind [0047] 20: air blower [0048] 21: heater core
[0049] 22: "VENT" air outlet [0050] 23: "FOOT" air outlet [0051]
24: "FOOT" damper
* * * * *