WO2020170753A1 - Vehicle air-conditioning unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle air-conditioning unit is provided with an air-conditioning case (12) in which an intra-case passage (124) is formed, and a cooler (16) that cools the air flowing through the intra-case passage. The vehicle air-conditioning unit is provided with a blower (20) having an impeller (201) that is rotated by a blower motor (202) to generate airflow through the intra-case passage, and a heater (18) that heats the air flowing out of the cooler in the intra-case passage. The vehicle air-conditioning unit is provided with a motor space formation part (30) that forms a motor space (30a) in which the blower motor is disposed. In the motor space formation part, a cold air inlet (30b) and a hot air inlet (30c) which communicate with the intra-case passage on the airflow downstream side relative to the impeller are formed. As the impeller generates airflow through the intra-case passage, the cold air cooled by the cooler flows into the motor space through the cold air inlet, and the hot air heated by the heater flows into the motor space through the hot air inlet.

Description

Vehicle air conditioning unit Cross-reference to related application

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-29676 filed on February 21, 2019, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle air conditioning unit.

As this type of vehicle air conditioning unit, for example, the vehicle air conditioning unit described in Patent Document 1 has been conventionally known. The vehicle air conditioning unit described in Patent Document 1 has a layout in which an evaporator and a heater core are arranged on the upstream side of an air flow with respect to a blower fan of a blower. Further, a fan downstream opening that discharges air from the air passage in the air conditioning case is provided on the downstream side of the air flow with respect to the blower fan, and an aspirator (in other words, Venturi pipe) is provided at the tip of the fan downstream opening. ) Is connected.
The aspirator is arranged outside the air conditioning case in the vehicle compartment. Then, the aspirator introduces the exhaust gas from the fan downstream opening as the primary air and sucks the internal air as the secondary air by the Venturi effect due to the flow of the primary air. The blower motor, which is the member to be cooled, is cooled by this secondary air. At this time, since the exhaust air from the fan downstream opening, which is the primary air, is specifically the conditioned air in the air conditioning case, the temperature of the exhaust air changes according to the operating state of the air mix door.

Patent No. 6384599

Considering the operation pattern of the air mix door in the vehicle air conditioning unit of Patent Document 1, for example, at the time of maximum cooling, the air discharged from the fan downstream opening becomes cool air of about 5°C. Therefore, when the cool air is discharged into the instrument panel in which the vehicle air conditioning unit is installed, the feet of the occupant may be cooled and the foot feeling may be deteriorated. In short, during maximum cooling, inconvenience may occur due to the discharge of the cold air.

Also, as another example, for example, during maximum heating, the air discharged from the fan downstream opening becomes hot air of about 75°C. Therefore, when the warm air is discharged into the instrument panel, the warm air is extremely hot, which may deteriorate the passenger's foot feeling, and the warm air is discharged to the destination. It is also necessary to consider heat damage to surrounding electronic components. In short, at the time of maximum heating, inconvenience may occur due to discharge of the warm air.

Further, in order to avoid heat damage to the electronic components, for example, it is possible to install a duct or a wind direction guide and move the hot air discharge place away from the electronic components. This leads to an increase in design man-hours and the number of parts. As a result of a detailed study by the inventor, the above has been found out.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-illustrated circumstances and the like, and even if the air used for cooling the blower motor is discharged into the passenger compartment, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience caused by the discharge of the air. An object is to provide a possible vehicle air conditioning unit.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle air conditioning unit includes:
An air-conditioning case in which a passage in the case through which the air flowing out to the passenger compartment flows is formed,
A cooler that is arranged in the air-conditioning case and cools the air flowing through the passage in the case;
A blower having a blower motor and an impeller that is rotated by the blower motor to generate an air flow in a passage in the case;
A heater that heats the air flowing out from the cooler in the passage in the case,
A motor space forming unit that forms a motor space in which a blower motor is arranged,
In the motor space forming portion, a cold air inlet and a warm air inlet that communicate with the passage in the case are formed on the air flow downstream side with respect to the impeller.
As the impeller generates an air flow in the passage in the case, the cold air cooled by the cooler flows into the motor space from the cold air inlet, and the warm air heated by the heater flows in the warm air flow. Inflow from the entrance.

In this way, the blower motor will be cooled by temperature-controlled air that is a mixture of cold air cooled by the cooler and warm air heated by the heater. Therefore, even if the temperature-controlled air is discharged into the passenger compartment, for example, after cooling the blower motor, there is no concern of deteriorating the foot feeling of the occupant, and heat damage to electronic components arranged around the vehicle air conditioning unit. There is no fear of giving it. That is, even if the air used for cooling the blower motor is discharged into, for example, the passenger compartment, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience caused by the discharge of the air.

Note that the reference numerals in parentheses attached to the respective constituent elements and the like indicate an example of a correspondence relationship between the constituent elements and the like and concrete constituent elements and the like described in the embodiments described later.

In 1st Embodiment, it is sectional drawing which showed the schematic structure of the air conditioning unit for vehicles typically. FIG. 2 is a sectional view schematically showing a II-II section of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a III-III cross section of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. In 2nd Embodiment, it is sectional drawing which showed the schematic structure of the air conditioning unit for vehicles typically, and is a figure corresponded to FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the VV cross section of FIG. 4 in the second embodiment and is a view corresponding to FIG. 3.

Each embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following respective embodiments, the same or equivalent portions are designated by the same reference numerals in the drawings.

(First embodiment)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle air conditioning unit 10 of the present embodiment includes an air conditioning case 12, an evaporator 16, a heater core 18, a blower 20, a plurality of air volume ratio adjusting doors 23 and 24, and an upstream partition wall 26. , And a downstream side partition wall 27. The vehicle air conditioning unit 10 is installed in the vehicle compartment, and is, for example, arranged inside an instrument panel provided in the forefront portion of the vehicle interior. In addition, each arrow DR1, DR2, DR3 of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 shows the direction of the vehicle in which the vehicle air conditioning unit 10 is mounted. That is, the arrow DR1 in FIG. 1 indicates the vehicle front-rear direction DR1, the arrow DR2 indicates the vehicle vertical direction DR2, and the arrow DR3 in FIG. 2 indicates the vehicle left-right direction DR3, that is, the vehicle width direction DR3.

The air conditioning case 12 is a resin member that forms the outer shell of the vehicle air conditioning unit 10. The air conditioning case 12 has a plurality of air introduction parts 121 and 122 and a plurality of blowout openings. Inside the air conditioning case 12, an in-case passage 124 through which the air flowing out into the vehicle compartment flows is formed.

The blower 20 has a blower fan 201 which is arranged in the case passage 124 and rotates around the fan axis CLf, and a blower motor 202 which rotationally drives the blower fan 201.

The blower fan 201 is an impeller that is rotated by the blower motor 202 to generate an air flow in the case internal passage 124. Further, in the present embodiment, the blower fan 201 is a centrifugal fan, so the blower 20 is a centrifugal blower.

The blower 20 sucks air from one side in the axial direction DRa of the fan axis CLf by the rotation of the blower fan 201 and blows the sucked air to the outside in the radial direction of the blower fan 201. The air blown outward in the radial direction is guided by the inner wall surface of the air conditioning case 12, and is directed to the downstream side of the air flow with respect to the blower fan 201 in the case inner passage 124 (for example, the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction DR1 in FIG. 1). Flows.

The axial direction DRa of the fan axis CLf does not have to match the vehicle front-rear direction DR1, but in the present embodiment, the fan axis CLf axial direction DRa matches the vehicle front-rear direction DR1. Further, the axial direction DRa of the fan axis line CLf may be referred to as the fan axial direction DRa. In addition, the radial direction of the blower fan 201 is the radial direction of the fan axis CLf in other words. The radial direction of the fan axis CLf may be referred to as the fan radial direction.

The blower motor 202 is an electric motor that rotates the blower fan 201 when energized. Since the blower motor 202 is energized, it also generates heat as the blower fan 201 rotates.

The upstream partition wall 26 is arranged on the upstream side of the air flow with respect to the blower fan 201 in the case passage 124. The upstream partition wall 26 partitions the passage in the case 124 on the upstream side of the air flow from the blower fan 201 into two upstream passages 125a and 126a. The two upstream passages 125a and 126a are a first upstream passage 125a and a second upstream passage 126a provided in parallel with the first upstream passage 125a.

The downstream partition wall 27 is disposed in the case passage 124 on the downstream side of the air flow with respect to the blower fan 201. The downstream partition wall 27 partitions the passage in the case 124 on the downstream side of the air flow from the blower fan 201 into two downstream passages 125b and 126b. The two downstream passages 125b and 126b are a first downstream passage 125b and a second downstream passage 126b provided in parallel with the first downstream passage 125b.

Further, due to the relative positional relationship between the two upstream side passages 125a and 126a and the two downstream side passages 125b and 126b, the respective air flows in the two downstream side passages 125b and 126b are separated into the two upstream side passages 125a and 126a. There is the following relationship for each air flow of. That is, the air flowing out from the first upstream side passage 125a passes through the blower fan 201 and hardly flows into the second downstream side passage 126b, and flows exclusively into the first downstream side passage 125b. At the same time, the air flowing out from the second upstream side passage 126a passes through the blower fan 201 and hardly flows into the first downstream side passage 125b, and flows exclusively into the second downstream side passage 126b.

Therefore, the first downstream side passage 125b is connected in series to the first upstream side passage 125a in the air flow of the in-case passage 124, and the first upstream side passage 125a and the first downstream side passage 125b as a whole. The first passage 125 is configured. Similarly, the second downstream passage 126b is connected in series to the second upstream passage 126a in the air flow of the in-case passage 124, and the second upstream passage 126a and the second downstream passage 126b. Constitute the second passage 126 as a whole.

Therefore, the in-case passage 124 is partitioned by the upstream partition wall 26 and the downstream partition wall 27 into the first passage 125 and the second passage 126 provided in parallel with the first passage 125. Can be said to have been. The air flowing through the first passage 125 and the air flowing through the second passage 126 may slightly mix with each other in the blower fan 201, but almost never mix with each other and flow in the air conditioning case 12 respectively.

The air flow passing through the blower fan 201 is twisted in the circumferential direction of the fan axis CLf between the upstream side and the downstream side of the air flow of the blower fan 201 as the blower fan 201 rotates. Therefore, in accordance with the twist of the air flow in the blower fan 201, the two downstream passages 125b and 126b are arranged to be twisted in the circumferential direction of the fan axis CLf with respect to the two upstream passages 125a and 126a. In addition, arrows FLa, FLb, FLc, FLd, FLe, FLf, FLg, FLh, FLi, FLj, FLk, and FLm in FIGS. 1 to 3 indicate air flows in the in-case passage 124.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the plurality of air introducing portions 121, 122 is formed with a vent hole for introducing air from outside the air conditioning case 12 into the case internal passage 124. It is connected to the air flow upstream side of the in-case passage 124. Specifically, the first air introduction part 121 of the plurality of air introduction parts 121, 122 is connected to the air flow upstream end of the first upstream passage 125a. The second air introduction part 122 of the plurality of air introduction parts 121 and 122 is connected to the air flow upstream end of the second upstream passage 126a.

Suction switching doors (not shown) are provided in the plurality of air introducing units 121 and 122, and the suction modes of the vehicle air conditioning unit 10 are the outside air mode, the inside air mode, and the inside/outside according to the operation of the suction switching doors. It can be switched to the two-layer mode.

In the outside air mode, the outside air, which is the air outside the vehicle compartment, is introduced into both of the air introduction parts 121 and 122, and the outside air flows into both of the two upstream passages 125a and 126a. In the inside air mode, the inside air, which is the air in the vehicle compartment, is introduced into both the air introducing portions 121 and 122, and the inside air flows into both of the two upstream passages 125a and 126a.

Further, in the inside/outside air two-layer mode, the first air introduction part 121 functions as an outside air introduction part, and the outside air is introduced into the first air introduction part 121. On the other hand, the second air introduction part 122 functions as an inside air introduction part, and the inside air is introduced into the second air introduction part 122. Therefore, in the inside/outside air two-layer mode, the outside air flows exclusively through the first upstream passage 125a and the inside air flows exclusively through the second upstream passage 126a. That is, in the inside/outside air two-layer mode, the first passage 125 including the first upstream side passage 125a functions exclusively as an outside air passage through which the outside air flows, and the second passage 126 including the second upstream side passage 126a exclusively receives inside air. It functions as a flowing inside air passage. Strictly speaking, the outside air flows more in the first passage 125 than the inside air, and the inside air flows in the second passage 126 more than the outside air.

The evaporator 16 is a heat exchanger for cooling that cools the air passing through the evaporator 16. In short, the evaporator 16 is a cooler.

The evaporator 16 is arranged in the air conditioning case 12 and cools the air flowing through the case passage 124. Specifically, the evaporator 16 is arranged so as to straddle both the first upstream side passage 125a and the second upstream side passage 126a. Therefore, the evaporator 16 has the first cooling unit 161 arranged in the first upstream passage 125a and the second cooling unit 162 arranged in the second upstream passage 126a.

For example, the evaporator 16 constitutes a well-known refrigeration cycle device that circulates a refrigerant together with a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion valve (not shown). The evaporator 16 exchanges heat between the air passing through the evaporator 16 and the refrigerant, and the heat exchange evaporates the refrigerant and cools the air.

The blower 20 is arranged in the air conditioning case 12 on the downstream side of the air flow with respect to the evaporator 16. That is, the vehicle air conditioning unit 10 of the present embodiment has a suction layout in which the blower fan 201 is arranged on the air flow downstream side with respect to the evaporator 16.

The blower 20 is arranged so that one side of the fan axial direction DRa, which is the air suction side of the blower fan 201, faces the air outflow surface 16b of the evaporator 16. Therefore, the blower fan 201 is arranged such that the other side of the fan axis line CLf, which coincides with the other side in the fan axis direction DRa, extends toward the air flow downstream side of the in-case passage 124.

The heater core 18 is arranged in the air conditioning case 12 on the downstream side of the air flow with respect to the blower fan 201. In other words, the heater core 18 is arranged on the air flow downstream side of the blower fan 201 in the case internal passage 124. The heater core 18 is a heater (in other words, a heat exchanger for heating) that heats the air flowing out from the evaporator 16 in the case internal passage 124. Specifically, the heater core 18 heats the air passing through the heater core 18 among the air blown from the blower fan 201.

Further, the heater core 18 is arranged so as to straddle both the first downstream side passage 125b and the second downstream side passage 126b. Therefore, the heater core 18 has the first heating part 181 arranged in the first downstream side passage 125b and the second heating part 182 arranged in the second downstream side passage 126b.

The first air volume ratio adjustment door 23 and the second air volume ratio adjustment door 24 are so-called air mix doors, and are arranged in the air conditioning case 12 on the downstream side of the air flow with respect to the blower fan 201. For example, the first air volume ratio adjustment door 23 and the second air volume ratio adjustment door 24 are slide type door mechanisms, and are slid by an electric actuator.

Specifically, the first air volume ratio adjusting door 23 is arranged on the upstream side of the air flow with respect to the first heating part 181 of the heater core 18 in the first downstream passage 125b. Then, the first air volume ratio adjusting door 23 controls the air volume of the air passing through the first heating section 181 and the first heating section 181 among the air flowing out from the first cooling section 161 of the evaporator 16 in the first passage 125. Adjust the ratio with the air volume of the bypass air flow. As a result, the temperature of the air blown into the vehicle compartment through the first downstream passage 125b is adjusted.

Further, the second air volume ratio adjusting door 24 is arranged on the air flow upstream side of the second heating portion 182 of the heater core 18 in the second downstream passage 126b. Then, the second air volume ratio adjustment door 24 controls the air volume of the air passing through the second heating section 182 and the second heating section 182 among the air flowing out from the second cooling section 162 of the evaporator 16 in the second passage 126. Adjust the ratio with the air volume of the bypass air flow. As a result, the temperature of the air blown into the vehicle compartment through the second downstream passage 126b is adjusted.

The air-conditioning case 12 has a plurality of first blowout openings (not shown) connected to the downstream side of the first heating portion 181 of the heater core 18 in the first flow passage 125b. At the same time, the air conditioning case 12 has a plurality of second blowout openings (not shown) that are connected to the downstream side of the second heating portion 182 of the heater core 18 in the second flow path 126b. These first and second outlets are connected to mutually different vehicle interior outlets provided in the vehicle interior via ducts and the like, and the air flowing out from the first and second outlets is , Is blown into the vehicle interior from the vehicle interior air outlet.

The plurality of first blowout openings are provided with blowout opening doors that open and close the first blowout openings for each of the first blowout openings. By the opening/closing operation of the blowout opening door, the conditioned air in the first downstream passage 125b can be blown into the vehicle interior from an arbitrary vehicle interior outlet out of the vehicle interior outlets connected to the first outlet opening. ..

Similarly, the plurality of second outlet openings are provided with outlet opening doors that open and close the second outlet openings for each second outlet opening. By the opening/closing operation of the blowout opening door, the conditioned air in the second downstream passage 126b can be blown into the vehicle interior from an arbitrary vehicle interior outlet out of the vehicle interior outlets connected to the second outlet opening. .. The blowout opening door is called, for example, a face door, a foot door, or a defroster door.

Comfort of the vehicle interior is controlled by blowing out the conditioned air whose temperature is adjusted by the operation of the air volume ratio adjustment doors 23, 24 from the desired vehicle interior outlet to the vehicle interior.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the vehicle air conditioning unit 10 includes a motor space forming portion 30 arranged in an air conditioning case 12, a warm air passage portion 32 forming a warm air introduction passage 32a, and a vehicle interior communication. It is provided with the vehicle interior communication part 34 which forms the passage 34a.

The motor space forming unit 30 forms a motor space 30a in which the blower motor 202 is arranged. Specifically, the motor space forming unit 30 is arranged so as to be surrounded by the in-case passage 124. The motor space forming unit 30 forms a motor space 30a inside the motor space forming unit 30, and the blower motor 202 is housed in the motor space 30a.

The fact that the blower motor 202 is housed in the motor space 30a does not necessarily mean that the blower motor 202 is entirely inside the motor space 30a, but most of the blower motor 202 is inside the motor space 30a. All you have to do is enter. Therefore, even if a part of the rotating shaft or the non-rotating part of the blower motor 202 is exposed to the outside of the motor space 30a, if most of the blower motor 202 is in the motor space 30a, the blower motor 202 will be in the motor space. It can be said that it is housed in 30a.

The motor space forming unit 30 is configured as a partition wall that partitions the motor space 30a and the case internal passage 124.

Since the blower 20 is arranged in the air conditioning case 12 on the downstream side of the air flow with respect to the evaporator 16 as described above, the motor space forming unit 30 is also arranged in the air conditioning case 12 on the downstream side of the air flow with respect to the evaporator 16. ing.

Further, the motor space forming unit 30 is arranged in the air conditioning case 12 on the upstream side of the air flow with respect to the heater core 18 and the air volume ratio adjusting doors 23 and 24.

The blower motor 202 and the motor space forming unit 30 are arranged on the other side of the blower fan 201 in the fan axis direction DRa. For example, the motor space forming unit 30 is fixed to the air conditioning case 12, and the non-rotating part of the blower motor 202 is fixed to the air conditioning case 12 via the motor space forming unit 30.

The motor space forming unit 30 is configured such that the cool air cooled by the evaporator 16 and the hot air heated by the heater core 18 flow into the motor space 30a from the in-case passage 124 as the blower 20 operates. The operation of the blower 20 is that the blower fan 201 is rotated by the blower motor 202 to generate an air flow in the case internal passage 124.

In order to let the cold air and the hot air flow into the motor space 30a, specifically, the motor space forming unit 30 has a cold air inlet 30b, a warm air inlet 30c, and a cooling air outlet 30d connected to the motor space 30a. Has been done. The cold air inlet 30b and the warm air inlet 30c communicate with the in-case passage 124 on the air flow downstream side of the blower fan 201. More specifically, the cold air inlet 30b and the warm air inlet 30c communicate with the first passage 125 of the in-case passage 124 instead of the second passage 126.

The communication between the motor space 30a and the in-case passage 124 is blocked by the motor space forming unit 30, except for the communication via the two inlets 30b and 30c. It is preferable that the motor space forming portion 30 completely prevent the communication, but the motor space 30a is provided inside the case at a position other than the two inflow ports 30b and 30c via a small gap generated due to manufacturing reasons. It is permissible to allow slight communication with passageway 124.

The cooling air outlet 30d is connected to one end of the vehicle interior communication passage 34a, and the other end of the vehicle interior communication passage 34a is opened to the vehicle interior as a cooling air outlet. That is, the cooling air outlet 30d communicates with the vehicle interior through the vehicle interior communication passage 34a.

The vehicle interior communication section 34 is formed in a tubular shape, and is arranged so as to cross the in-case passage 124. More specifically, the vehicle interior communication portion 34 crosses the second downstream passage 126b of the in-case passage 124. Then, the vehicle interior communication portion 34 separates the vehicle interior communication passage 34 a formed therein from the case interior passage 124.

The cold air inlet 30b of the motor space forming unit 30 communicates with the in-case passage 124 on the upstream side of the air flow with respect to the heater core 18 and the air volume ratio adjusting doors 23 and 24. In detail, since the cold air inlet 30b communicates with the first downstream passage 125b of the in-case passage 124, the air flow upstream with respect to the first heating portion 181 of the heater core 18 and the first air volume ratio adjustment door 23. And communicates with the first downstream passage 125b on the side. Therefore, the motor space forming unit 30 is configured such that the cold air cooled by the evaporator 16 can flow into the motor space 30a regardless of the operating state of the first and second air volume ratio adjusting doors 23 and 24. There is.

In the present embodiment, the cold air inlet 30b is formed as a through hole formed in the wall-shaped motor space forming portion 30. Further, the cold air inlet 30b is opened to the case inner passage 124 in a direction not receiving the dynamic pressure of the air flowing through the case inner passage 124. For example, the direction that does not receive the dynamic pressure of the air flowing in the case internal passage 124 is the direction orthogonal to the direction of the air flow of the case internal passage 124, or the direction toward the downstream side of the air flow compared to the direction orthogonal to the direction. It was the direction I was in. An arrow FL1 in FIG. 1 indicates a flow of cold air flowing from the in-case passage 124 through the cold air inlet 30b into the motor space 30a.

The warm air passage portion 32 is formed, for example, in a tubular shape having a flat cross section, and a warm air introduction passage 32 a is formed inside the warm air passage portion 32. The warm air introduction passage 32a is an air passage for guiding the warm air heated by the heater core 18 to the warm air inlet 30c. An arrow FL2 in FIGS. 1 and 3 indicates a flow of warm air flowing from the in-case passage 124 into the motor space 30a through the warm air introduction passage 32a and the warm air inlet 30c.

Specifically, the warm air introduction passage 32a is a passage that connects the in-case passage 124 (specifically, the first downstream passage 125b in the in-case passage 124) and the warm air inlet 30c. Then, in detail, the outlet end which is one end of the warm air introduction passage 32a is connected to the warm air inlet 30c. The inlet end 32c, which is the other end of the warm air introduction passage 32a, is connected to the first heating part 181 of the heater core 18 from the motor space forming part 30 side of the first heating part 181.

Therefore, the air on the downstream side of the first heating portion 181 in the first downstream passage 125b flows into the warm air introduction passage 32a after passing through the first heating portion 181. That is, the warm air introduction passage 32a allows the air in the first downstream passage 125b on the downstream side of the air flow with respect to the first heating portion 181 to flow from the side opposite to the motor space forming portion 30 side of the first heating portion 181 to the motor space. The first heating unit 181 is passed to the formation unit 30 side and then guided to the warm air inlet 30c. In FIG. 1, the motor space forming part 30 side of the first heating part 181 is the front side in the vehicle front-rear direction DR1, and the side opposite to the motor space forming part 30 side of the first heating part 181 is the vehicle front-rear direction. It is the rear side of DR1.

Further, the warm air introduction passage 32a extends through a portion outside both the movable range R1 of the first air volume ratio adjusting door 23 and the movable range R2 of the second air volume ratio adjusting door 24. Specifically, the warm air introduction passage 32a extends between the two movable ranges R1 and R2 and extends from the air flow downstream side of the air volume ratio adjusting doors 23 and 24 in the in-case passage 124 to the upstream side. .. Therefore, in the motor space forming unit 30 having the warm air inlet 30c to which the warm air introduction passage 32a is connected, the warm air heated by the heater core 18 is irrespective of the operating state of the air volume ratio adjusting doors 23, 24. It is configured to be able to flow into.

Further, since the inlet end 32c of the warm air introduction passage 32a is connected to the first heating unit 181, as described above, the inlet end 32c of the warm air introduction passage 32a is connected to the first downstream passage 125b. The first downstream passage 125b is open toward the downstream side of the air flow. That is, the inlet end 32c of the warm air introduction passage 32a opens toward the first downstream passage 125b in a direction not receiving the dynamic pressure of the air flowing through the first downstream passage 125b.

Note that the flow resistance of the cold air passing through the cold air inlet 30b, the flow resistance of the warm air passing through the warm air inlet 30c and the warm air introducing passage 32a, and the flow resistance of the exhaust air passing through the cooling air outlet 30d and the vehicle interior communication passage 34a. Of these, the exhaust flow resistance is the smallest.

With the above-described configuration, with the operation of the blower 20, the cold air cooled by the evaporator 16 flows into the motor space 30a from the in-case passage 124 via the cold air inlet 30b as indicated by the arrow FL1. .. At the same time, the warm air heated by the heater core 18 also flows into the motor space 30a from the in-case passage 124 via the warm air introduction passage 32a and the warm air inlet 30c as indicated by an arrow FL2. Then, the cold air and the hot air are mixed in the motor space 30a to be temperature-controlled air, and the fan motor 202 is cooled by the temperature-controlled air that is the motor cooling air. Then, the temperature-adjusted air used for cooling the blower motor 202 is discharged into the vehicle interior as indicated by an arrow FL3 through the cooling air outlet 30d and the vehicle interior communication passage 34a.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the motor space forming unit 30, the cold air inlet port communicating with the in-case passage 124 on the air flow downstream side of the blower fan 201. 30b and the warm air inlet 30c are formed. Then, as the blower fan 201 generates an air flow in the in-case passage 124, the cold air cooled by the evaporator 16 flows into the motor space 30a from the cold air inlet 30b. At the same time, the warm air heated by the heater core 18 also flows into the motor space 30a from the warm air inlet 30c.

Therefore, the blower motor 202 arranged in the motor space 30a is cooled by temperature-controlled airflow that is a mixture of the cold air cooled by the evaporator 16 and the warm air heated by the heater core 18. Therefore, the motor cooling air discharged from the cooling air outlet 30d into the vehicle compartment after cooling the blower motor 202 is not the cold air or the warm air but the temperature-controlled air. Even if such temperature-controlled air is discharged into the passenger compartment, there is no concern that the foot feeling of the occupant will be deteriorated, and the electronic components arranged around the vehicle air conditioning unit 10 may be damaged by heat. Absent. That is, even if the air used for cooling the blower motor 202 is discharged into the vehicle compartment, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience caused by the discharge of the air.

Further, in the vehicle air conditioning unit of Patent Document 1 described above, since the venturi effect of the aspirator is used to obtain the motor cooling air for cooling the blower motor, the air volume discharged from the air conditioning case is the motor cooling air. It increases with the amount of wind. This leads to an increase in power consumption of the vehicle air conditioning unit. On the other hand, in the vehicle air conditioning unit 10 of the present embodiment, the venturi effect is not used, and the air that becomes the motor cooling air is taken in from the case internal passage 124 in the air conditioning case 12. Therefore, as compared with the vehicle air conditioning unit of Patent Document 1, a sufficient amount of motor cooling air can be easily secured, and an increase in power consumption of the vehicle air conditioning unit 10 can be suppressed.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the blower 20 and the motor space forming unit 30 are arranged in the air conditioning case 12 on the downstream side of the air flow with respect to the evaporator 16. Then, the motor space forming unit 30 partitions between the in-case passage 124 and the motor space 30a. Therefore, depending on the amount of air blown by the blower 20, the blower motor 202 is likely to be overcooled by the cool air from the evaporator 16 flowing around the motor space forming portion 30, and the temperature control air is a mixture of the cold air and the warm air. The blower motor 202 can be cooled appropriately.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the motor space forming unit 30 controls the motor space regardless of whether the cool air cooled by the evaporator 16 and the hot air heated by the heater core 18 are operated by the air volume ratio adjusting doors 23, 24. It is configured such that it can flow into 30a. Therefore, it is possible to allow the cold air and the hot air to flow into the motor space 30a even during the maximum cooling or the maximum heating, for example. In short, it is possible to cool the blower motor 202 with temperature-controlled air that is a mixture of the cold air and the warm air without being affected by the operating states of the air volume ratio adjusting doors 23 and 24.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the cold air inlet 30b of the motor space forming portion 30 is provided with the first passage of the in-case passage 124 on the upstream side of the air flow with respect to the heater core 18 and the first air volume ratio adjusting door 23. It communicates with 125. Therefore, it is possible to easily realize the inflow of the cold air into the motor space 30a without being affected by the operating state of the first air volume ratio adjusting door 23 by the arrangement of the cold air inlet 30b.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the warm air passage portion 32 forms the warm air introduction passage 32a, and the warm air introduction passage 32a connects the in-case passage 124 and the warm air inlet 30c to supply the warm air. Lead to the warm air inlet 30c. The warm air introduction passage 32a extends through a portion outside the movable ranges R1 and R2 of the first and second air volume ratio adjusting doors 23 and 24. Therefore, it is possible to easily realize the inflow of the warm air into the motor space 30a without being affected by the operating states of the first and second air volume ratio adjusting doors 23 and 24 by the arrangement of the warm air introduction passage 32a. It is possible.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the heater core 18 is arranged in the air conditioning case 12 on the downstream side of the air flow with respect to the blower fan 201 and the motor space forming unit 30. The warm air introduction passage 32a moves the air in the air passage downstream side of the heater core 18 in the in-case passage 124 from the side opposite to the motor space forming portion 30 side of the heater core 18 to the motor space forming portion 30 side. After passing, it is guided to the warm air inlet 30c. Therefore, the air heated by passing through the heater core 18 reaches the motor space forming portion 30 side of the heater core 18 at the same time when passing through the heater core 18. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the warm air introduction passage 32a that guides the air heated by the heater core 18 (that is, the warm air) to the warm air inlet 30c of the motor space forming unit 30. This leads to downsizing of the vehicle air conditioning unit 10.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the in-case passage 124 includes the first passage 125 and the second passage 126 provided in parallel with the first passage 125 by the upstream partition wall 26 and the downstream partition wall 27. It is divided into In the inside/outside air two-layer mode, the outside air flows through the first passage 125 more than the inside air, and the inside air flows more than the outside air through the second passage 126. The cold air inlet 30b and the warm air inlet 30c communicate with the first passage 125 of the in-case passage 124 instead of the second passage 126. Here, the outside air has a lower humidity than the inside air. Therefore, for example, the dew condensation prevention effect of the blower motor 202 can be improved as compared with the case where the cold air inlet 30b and the warm air inlet 30c communicate with the second passage 126 instead of the first passage 125.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, points different from the above-described first embodiment will be mainly described. Further, the same or equivalent portions as those of the above-described embodiment will be omitted or simplified for the description.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the present embodiment, the route along which the warm air introduction passage 32a extends is different from that in the first embodiment. Note that FIG. 2 described above is also a cross-sectional view schematically showing the cross section IIa-IIa of FIG. 4 in the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the warm air introduction passage 32a extends through a portion outside the movable ranges R1 and R2 (see FIG. 1) of the first and second air volume ratio adjusting doors 23 and 24. Therefore, the warm air introduced into the warm air introduction passage 32a can flow into the motor space 30a regardless of the operating state of the air volume ratio adjusting doors 23 and 24. Further, the outlet end of the warm air introduction passage 32a is connected to the warm air inlet 30c. These are the same as in the first embodiment.

However, unlike the first embodiment, the inlet end 32c of the hot air introduction passage 32a in the present embodiment is opened to the first downstream passage 125b on the upstream side of the heater core 18 in the first downstream passage 125b. doing. That is, the inlet end 32c of the hot air introduction passage 32a is provided on the motor space forming portion 30 side of the heater core 18.

A part of the heater core 18 is provided in the warm air introduction passage 32a. The air entering from the inlet end 32c into the warm air introduction passage 32a passes through the heater core 18 from the motor space forming portion 30 side of the heater core 18 to the side opposite to the motor space forming portion 30 side as indicated by an arrow FL4a. It becomes hot air when heated. The warm air introduction passage 32a guides the warm air from the side opposite to the side of the motor space forming portion 30 of the heater core 18 to the hot air inlet 30c of the motor space forming portion 30 by bypassing the heater core 18 as indicated by an arrow FL4c. Extends to.

As described above, the warm air introduction passage 32a allows the air on the upstream side of the air flow with respect to the heater core 18 in the case internal passage 124 from the motor space forming portion 30 side of the heater core 18 to the side opposite to the motor space forming portion 30 side. After passing through the heater core 18, it is guided to the warm air inlet 30c. 4 and 5, the motor space forming portion 30 side of the heater core 18 is the front side in the vehicle front-rear direction DR1, and the opposite side of the heater core 18 to the motor space forming portion 30 side is the rear side in the vehicle front-rear direction DR1. On the side. In addition, an arrow FL4a in FIG. 4 and arrows FL4b and FL4c in FIG. 5 indicate flows of air flowing from the in-case passage 124 into the motor space 30a via the warm air introduction passage 32a and the warm air inlet 30c.

Except for what has been described above, this embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. Then, in the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the first embodiment, which is achieved by the configuration common to the first embodiment described above.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the warm air introduction passage 32a guides the air in the case inside passage 124 on the upstream side of the air flow to the heater core 18 as shown by an arrow FL4a in FIG. That is, in the warm air introduction passage 32 a, the air in the air flow upstream side of the heater core 18 in the case internal passage 124 is moved from the motor space forming portion 30 side of the heater core 18 to the side opposite to the motor space forming portion 30 side. And then to the warm air inlet 30c.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the air before being passed through the heater core 18 by the warm air introduction passage 32a has not yet passed through the heater core 18 in the case internal passage 124. On the other hand, in the above-described configuration of the first embodiment, the air that has already passed through the heater core 18 in the in-case passage 124 is passed through the heater core 18 again when flowing into the warm air introduction passage 32a.

For this reason, in the present embodiment, when the warm air is introduced into the motor space 30a through the warm air introduction passage 32a, it is not necessary that the air that has passed through the heater core 18 once passes through the heater core 18 again. .. Therefore, as compared with the first embodiment, there is an advantage that it is easy to secure the air volume of the warm air.

(Other embodiments)
(1) In each of the above-described embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, the motor cooling air used to cool the blower motor 202 is discharged from the motor space 30a into the vehicle interior. Not limited to the passenger compartment. In short, the discharge destination of the motor cooling air may be outside the vehicle air conditioning unit 10.

(2) In each of the above-described embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, partition walls 26 and 27 are provided in the air conditioning case 12, and the in-case passage 124 is provided with the partition walls 26 and 27. It is divided into the first passage 125 and the second passage 126, but this is an example. For example, the partition walls 26 and 27 may not be provided, and the in-case passage 124 may not be divided into a plurality of passages provided in parallel. That is, the vehicle air conditioning unit 10 may not be capable of changing the suction mode to the inside/outside air two-layer mode.

(3) Although the orientation of the vehicle is described in each of the drawings such as FIG. 1 described in each of the above-described embodiments, this is for convenience, and the orientation of the vehicle air conditioning unit 10 may be any orientation. There is no limitation as to whether it will be installed in the vehicle.

(4) In each of the above-described embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, the blower fan 201 is arranged so that the other side of the fan axis line CLf faces the direction extending toward the air flow downstream side of the in-case passage 124. The direction of the blower fan 201 is not limited to this.

(5) It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented with various modifications. Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, it is needless to say that the elements constituting the embodiment are not necessarily indispensable except when explicitly indicated as being indispensable and when it is considered to be indispensable in principle. Yes.

Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, when numerical values such as the number of components of the embodiment, numerical values, amounts, ranges, etc. are mentioned, it is clearly limited to a particular number when explicitly stated to be essential. It is not limited to the specific number except for the case where it is done. Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, when referring to the material, shape, positional relationship, etc. of the constituent elements, etc., unless specifically stated or in principle limited to a specific material, shape, positional relationship, etc. However, the material, shape, positional relationship, etc. are not limited.

(Summary)
According to the first aspect shown in part or all of each of the above-described embodiments, the vehicle air conditioning unit includes the motor space forming portion that forms the motor space in which the blower motor is arranged. In the motor space forming portion, a cold air inlet and a warm air inlet that communicate with the in-case passage are formed on the downstream side of the air flow with respect to the impeller. Then, as the impeller generates an air flow in the passage in the case, the cold air cooled by the cooler flows into the motor space from the cold air inlet, and the warm air heated by the heater is heated. Inflow from the hot air inlet.

Further, according to the second aspect, the blower and the motor space forming unit are arranged in the air conditioning case on the downstream side of the air flow with respect to the cooler, and the motor space forming unit partitions the passage in the case and the motor space. ing. Therefore, depending on the amount of air blown by the blower, the blower motor in the motor space forming portion is likely to be overcooled by the cold air flowing around the motor space forming portion. Can be appropriately cooled.

Further, according to the third aspect, the air volume ratio adjustment door is arranged in the air conditioning case, and the air volume of the air flowing out of the cooler that passes through the heater and the air volume of the air that bypasses the heater and flow. Adjust the ratio of. Further, the motor space forming unit is configured to allow the cold air and the warm air to flow into the motor space regardless of the operating state of the air volume ratio adjustment door. Therefore, it is possible to allow the cold air and the warm air to flow into the motor space even during the maximum cooling or the maximum heating, for example. In short, it is possible to cool the blower motor with temperature-controlled air that is a mixture of the cold air and the warm air without being affected by the operating state of the air volume ratio adjustment door.

Also, according to the fourth aspect, the heater is arranged on the downstream side of the air flow with respect to the impeller in the air conditioning case. The cold air inlet communicates with the passage inside the case on the upstream side of the air flow with respect to the heater and the air volume ratio adjusting door. Therefore, it is possible to easily realize the inflow of the cold air into the motor space without being affected by the operating state of the air volume ratio adjustment door by the arrangement of the cold air inlet.

According to a fifth aspect, the warm air passage portion forms a warm air introduction passage, and the warm air introduction passage connects the in-case passage and the warm air inlet to guide the warm air to the warm air inlet. .. The hot air introduction passage extends through a portion outside the movable range of the air volume ratio adjustment door. Therefore, it is possible to easily realize the inflow of the warm air into the motor space without being affected by the operating state of the air volume ratio adjusting door by the arrangement of the warm air introduction passage.

Further, according to the sixth aspect, the heater is arranged on the downstream side of the air flow with respect to the impeller and the motor space forming unit in the air conditioning case. The warm air introduction passage is configured to allow the air on the downstream side of the air flow to the heater in the passage in the case to pass through the heater from the side opposite to the motor space forming portion side of the heater to the motor space forming portion side. , Lead to the warm air inlet. Therefore, the air heated by passing through the heater reaches the motor space forming portion side of the heater at the same time as passing through the heater. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the hot air introduction passage that guides the air heated by the heater (that is, the hot air) to the hot air inlet of the motor space forming unit. This leads to downsizing of the vehicle air conditioning unit.

Further, according to the seventh aspect, the warm air introduction passage is configured such that the air in the case internal passage on the upstream side of the air flow with respect to the heater is opposite to the motor space forming portion side of the heater from the motor space forming portion side. After passing the heater to the side, lead to the warm air inlet.

Therefore, since the air before being passed through the heater by the hot air introduction passage is on the upstream side of the air flow to the heater in the case internal passage, it has not yet passed through the heater in the case internal passage. On the other hand, conversely, for example, assuming that the air before being passed through the heater by the hot air introduction passage is temporarily on the downstream side of the air flow with respect to the heater in the case internal passage, the air is In some cases, the heater may have already passed through the passage in the case.

From this, according to the seventh aspect, when the warm air is introduced into the motor space through the warm air introduction passage, it is necessary that the air that has passed through the heater once passes through the heater again. Since it is not so, there is an advantage that it is easy to secure the air volume of the warm air.

Also, according to the eighth aspect, the passage in the case is partitioned into a first passage and a second passage provided in parallel with the first passage. The outside air flows more than the inside air in the first passage, and the inside air flows more than the outside air in the second passage. The cold air inlet and the warm air inlet communicate with the first passage in the case inner passage. Here, the outside air has a lower humidity than the inside air. Therefore, for example, the dew condensation prevention effect of the blower motor can be improved as compared with the case where the cold air inlet and the warm air inlet communicate with the second passage instead of the first passage.

Claims (8)

1. A vehicle air conditioning unit,
   An air-conditioning case (12) having an in-case passage (124) through which air flowing into the vehicle compartment flows;
   A cooler (16) arranged in the air-conditioning case for cooling air flowing in the case internal passage;
   A blower (20) having a blower motor (202) and an impeller (201) rotated by the blower motor to generate an air flow in the passage in the case;
   A heater (18) for heating the air flowing out from the cooler in the passage in the case;
   A motor space forming unit (30) forming a motor space (30a) in which the blower motor is arranged,
   A cold air inlet (30b) and a warm air inlet (30c) communicating with the passage in the case are formed in the motor space forming portion on the downstream side of the air flow with respect to the impeller,
   When the impeller generates an air flow in the passage in the case, cold air cooled by the cooler flows into the motor space from the cold air inlet and is heated by the heater. An air conditioning unit for a vehicle, in which warm air flows in from the warm air inlet.
2. The blower and the motor space forming unit are arranged in the air conditioning case on the downstream side of the air flow with respect to the cooler,
   The vehicle air conditioning unit according to claim 1, wherein the motor space forming portion partitions the passage in the case from the motor space.
3. An air volume ratio adjustment door (23) arranged in the air conditioning case, for adjusting a ratio of an air volume of the air flowing out of the cooler and passing through the heater to an air volume of the air flowing around the heater. , 24),
   The motor space forming unit is configured to allow the cold air and the warm air to flow into the motor space regardless of an operating state of the air volume ratio adjustment door. Vehicle air conditioning unit.
4. A ratio of an air volume of air passing through the heater and an air volume of bypassing the heater, which is arranged on the downstream side of the air flow with respect to the impeller in the air conditioning case and outflows from the cooler. Equipped with air volume ratio adjustment doors (23, 24) for adjusting
   The heater is arranged in the air conditioning case on the downstream side of the air flow with respect to the impeller,
   The vehicle air conditioning unit according to claim 1, wherein the cold air inlet communicates with the passage in the case on an upstream side of an air flow with respect to the heater and the air volume ratio adjusting door.
5. A warm air passage portion (32) that connects the in-case passage and the warm air inlet to form a warm air introduction passage (32a) that guides the warm air to the warm air inlet;
   The vehicle air conditioning unit according to claim 4, wherein the warm air introduction passage extends through a portion outside the movable range (R1, R2) of the air volume ratio adjustment door.
6. A warm air passage portion (32) that connects the in-case passage and the warm air inlet to form a warm air introduction passage (32a) that guides the warm air to the warm air inlet;
   The heater is arranged in the air conditioning case on the downstream side of the air flow with respect to the impeller and the motor space forming portion,
   The warm air introducing passage transfers air on the air flow downstream side of the heater from the side opposite to the motor space forming portion side of the heater to the motor space forming portion side in the case internal passage. The air conditioning unit for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the air conditioning unit is guided to the warm air inlet after passing through.
7. A warm air passage portion (32) that connects the in-case passage and the warm air inlet to form a warm air introduction passage (32a) that guides the warm air to the warm air inlet;
   The heater is arranged in the air conditioning case on the downstream side of the air flow with respect to the impeller and the motor space forming portion,
   The warm air introduction passage transfers air on the upstream side of the air flow to the heater in the case internal passage from the motor space forming part side of the heater to the opposite side to the motor space forming part side. The air conditioning unit for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the air conditioning unit is guided to the warm air inlet after passing through.
8. The case internal passage is partitioned into a first passage (125) and a second passage (126) provided in parallel with the first passage,
   The outside air flows in the first passage more than the inside air, and the inside air flows in the second passage more than the outside air,
   8. The vehicle air conditioning unit according to claim 1, wherein the cold air inlet and the warm air inlet communicate with the first passage of the in-case passage.

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