Vehicular air conditioner

Provided is a vehicular air conditioner including: an air-conditioning case that has an upper passage and a lower passage which are partitioned by an upper and lower partition plate therebetween; a heating unit that is disposed over the upper passage and the lower passage; an upper passage partition plate that is disposed downstream of the heating unit of the upper passage and forms a guide passage that guides a portion of air, which has passed the heating unit, toward an upper and lower connection opening that connects the upper passage and the lower passage; and a guide passage opening/closing unit that closes the guide passage in a state where the upper and lower connection opening is closed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present invention claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-002148, filed on Jan. 9, 2019, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a vehicular air conditioner.

Description of Related Art

In the related art, vehicles, such as four-wheel vehicles, are equipped with a vehicular air conditioner that generates air (conditioned air) of which the temperature and humidity have been adjusted. This vehicular air conditioner includes therein an air-conditioning case having a flow passage through which air flow. An evaporator that cools air and a heater that heats air are housed inside the air-conditioning case. In such a vehicular air conditioner, conditioned air having a desired temperature is generated by heating at least a portion of the air cooled to a certain temperature by the evaporator with a heater and adjusting the flow rate of the air to be heated by the heater.

For example, Japanese Patent No. 6201621 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) discloses a vehicular air conditioner that includes an upper and lower partition plate that partitions the inside of an air-conditioning case into an upper passage and a lower passage, and that allows the air to be supplied to the upper passage and the lower passage to be selected between ambient air and internal air.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Meanwhile, as in Patent Document 1, in the vehicular air conditioner in which the inside of the air-conditioning case is partitioned by the upper and lower partition plate, the air that flows mainly through a lower passage is discharged from a foot opening (an opening for discharging the conditioned air to be supplied to passenger's feet) provided at a lower part of the air-conditioning case. For this reason, in order to allow the conditioned air with sufficient flow rate to be discharged from the foot opening as necessary, in Patent Document 1, an upper and lower connection opening for supplying a portion of the conditioned air, which flows through the upper passage, to the lower passage is provided. Additionally, in Patent Document 1, a partition plate different from the above-described upper and lower partition plate is provided inside the upper passage, and a portion of the conditioned air warmed with the heater is guided toward the upper and lower connection opening by the partition plate.

On the other hand, the upper and lower connection opening is openable and closable by a mode door. For this reason, the conditioned air guided by the partition plate cannot pass through the upper and lower connection opening in a case where the upper and lower connection opening is closed. Thus, in Patent Document 1, an openable/closable recirculation opening is provided between the partition plate and the inner wall of the air-conditioning case. In a case where the upper and lower connection opening is closed, the recirculation opening is opened to recirculate the conditioned air to a space above the partition plate. However, in the vehicular air conditioner disclosed in such Patent Document 1, in a case where the upper and lower connection opening is not opened, the conditioned air, which has passed through the heater in the upper passage, flows at such a long distance that the conditioned air flows below the partition plate and further reaches the space above the partition plate via the recirculation opening. Therefore, the pressure loss in the upper passage increases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to reduce pressure loss inside an air-conditioning case in a case where an upper and lower connection opening that connects an upper passage and a lower passage is closed, in the vehicular air conditioner in which the inside of the air-conditioning case is partitioned into the upper passage and the lower passage by an upper and lower partition plate.

The present invention adopts the following configurations for solving the above problems.

(1) A vehicular air conditioner includes: an air-conditioning case that has an upper passage and a lower passage which are partitioned by an upper and lower partition plate therebetween; a heating unit that is disposed over the upper passage and the lower passage; an upper passage partition plate that is disposed downstream of the heating unit of the upper passage and forms a guide passage that guides a portion of air, which has passed the heating unit, toward an upper and lower connection opening that connects the upper passage and the lower passage; and a guide passage opening/closing unit that closes the guide passage in a state where the upper and lower connection opening is closed.

(2) In the vehicular air conditioner described in the above (1), the guide passage opening/closing unit may have a first sealing part that allows the upper and lower connection opening to be opened and closed, and a second sealing part that allows an outlet opening of the guide passage to be opened and closed, and closes the outlet opening in a state where the first sealing part closes the upper and lower connection opening.

(3) In the vehicular air conditioner of the above (1), the following configuration may be adopted: a recirculation opening that allows air, which is discharged from an outlet opening of the guide passage, to be recirculated to a space above the upper passage partition plate is provided inside the air-conditioning case; and the guide passage opening/closing unit has a first sealing part that allows the upper and lower connection opening to be opened and closed, and a third sealing part that allows the recirculation opening to be opened and closed, and closes the recirculation opening in a state where the first sealing part closes the upper and lower connection opening.

(4) In the vehicular air conditioner described in the above (2), the following configuration may be adopted: a foot opening, which communicates with the lower passage and discharges the air to be supplied to passenger's feet is provided in the air-conditioning case, and the guide passage opening/closing unit has a fourth sealing part that allows the foot opening to be opened and closed.

(5) In the vehicular air conditioner described in the above (3), the following configuration may be adopted: a foot opening, which communicates with the lower passage and discharges the air to be supplied to passenger's feet is provided in the air-conditioning case, and the guide passage opening/closing unit has a fourth sealing part that allows the foot opening to be opened and closed.

(6) In the vehicular air conditioner described in the above (4), the following configuration may be adopted: the fourth sealing part opens the foot opening in a state where the upper and lower connection opening is closed, and closes the foot opening in a state where the upper and lower connection opening is opened.

(7) In the vehicular air conditioner described in the above (5), the following configuration may be adopted: the fourth sealing part opens the foot opening in a state where the upper and lower connection opening is closed, and closes the foot opening in a state where the upper and lower connection opening is opened.

(8) In the vehicular air conditioner described in the above (1), the upper passage partition plate may extend toward the upper and lower connection opening at an outlet end of the guide passage.

(9) In the vehicular air conditioner described in any one of the above (1) to the above (8), a gap opening may be provided between the heating unit, and an upstream end of the upper passage partition plate.

(10) In the vehicular air conditioner described in the above (4), the upper passage partition plate may have a through opening that connects the guide passage, and a space above the upper passage partition plate, between an upstream end and a downstream end.

(11) In the vehicular air conditioner described in the above (5), the upper passage partition plate may have a through opening that connects the guide passage, and a space above the upper passage partition plate, between an upstream end and a downstream end.

According to the above respective aspects of the invention, in a state where the upper and lower connection opening that connects the upper passage and the lower passage is closed, the guide passage, which guides a portion of air toward the upper and lower connection opening, is closed by the guide passage opening/closing unit. For this reason, air is prevented from flowing into the guide passage in a state where the upper and lower connection opening is closed, and the air flowing through the upper passage flows into the space above the upper passage partition plate without going via the guide passage and the recirculation opening. For this reason, according to the invention, in the vehicular air conditioner in which the inside of the air-conditioning case is partitioned into the upper passage and the lower passage by the upper and lower partition plate, it is possible to reduce the pressure loss inside the air-conditioning case in a case where the upper and lower connection opening that connects the upper passage and the lower passage is closed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, respective embodiments of a vehicular air conditioner related to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1is a vertical sectional view schematically illustrating a schematic configuration of a vehicular air conditioner1of the present embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the vehicular air conditioner1of the present embodiment includes an air-conditioning case2, an evaporator3, a heater core4(heating unit), an upper air mixing door mechanism5, a lower air mixing door mechanism6, a defroster opening opening/closing mechanism7, a face opening opening/closing mechanism8, a foot opening opening/closing mechanism9, and a guide passage opening/closing mechanism10(guide passage opening/closing unit).

The air-conditioning case2is a casing that houses the evaporator3, the heater core4, and the like as illustrated inFIG. 1, and has therein a flow passage through which air flows. The air-conditioning case2has a plurality of partition walls that are disposed inside the outer shell wall2ato partition an internal space of the air-conditioning case2, a supporting wall that supports the evaporator3and the like, and the like, in addition to an outer shell wall2athat forms an external shape of the air-conditioning case2. The air-conditioning case2has, for example, an upper and lower partition plate2band an upper passage partition plate2c, as the above partition walls. Additionally, the air-conditioning case2has, for example, a heater core upper end supporting wall2dand a heater core lower end supporting wall2e, as the above supporting wall.

The upper and lower partition plate2bis a plate-shaped part that is disposed substantially horizontally so as to vertically partition the inside of the outer shell wall2a. The inside of the air-conditioning case2is partitioned into an upper passage R1and a lower passage R2by such an upper and lower partition plate2b. The upper and lower partition plate2bhas an upstream partition plate2b1disposed on an upstream side of the evaporator3(a front side in the forward-backward direction of a vehicle in the present embodiment and a left side of the paper face inFIG. 1), and an intermediate partition plate2b2disposed between the evaporator3and the heater core4, and a downstream partition plate2b3disposed on a downstream side of the heater core4(a rear side in the forward-backward direction of the vehicle in the present embodiment and a right side of the paper face inFIG. 1).

The downstream partition plate2b3and the outer shell wall2aare spaced apart from each other in a horizontal direction. That is, a gap is provided between the downstream partition plate2b3, and an inner wall surface of the outer shell wall2a. The gap functions as an upper and lower connection opening K1that connects the upper passage R1and the lower passage R2. It is possible for the air flowing through the upper passage R1to flow into the lower passage R2via the upper and lower connection opening K1, and for the air flowing through the lower passage R2to flow into the upper passage R1via the upper and lower connection opening K1. In addition, whether air flows into the upper and lower connection opening K1from any of the upper passage R1and the lower passage R2is determined depending on a state in each of the defroster opening opening/closing mechanism7, the face opening opening/closing mechanism8, and the foot opening opening/closing mechanism9(that is, the opened/closed state of a defroster opening Ka, a face opening Kb, and a foot opening Kc to be described below).

FIG. 2is a partial enlarged vertical sectional view of the air-conditioning case2, including the upper passage partition plate2c. The upper passage partition plate2cis a plate-shaped part that is disposed on the downstream side of the heater core4of the upper passage R1and is brought into a substantially horizontal state so as to vertically partition a downstream space of the heater core4of the upper passage R1. The upper passage partition plate2cforms a guide passage R3that guides a portion of the air that has passed through the heater core4between the upper passage partition plate2cand the upper and lower partition plates2b(downstream partition plate2b3). Such a guide passage R3has an inlet opening R31provided to face the heater core4, and an outlet opening R32provided toward the upper and lower connection opening K1. In addition, an end part of the upper passage partition plate2con the outlet opening R32side extends toward the upper and lower connection opening K1such that the air discharged from the outlet opening R32is guided to the upper and lower connection opening K1. That is, the upper passage partition plate2cextends toward the upper and lower connection opening K1at an outlet end of the guide passage R3.

A space above the upper passage partition plate2cis an upper mixing space R4where air heated by the heater core4and cold air that has bypassed the heater core4are mixed together. In addition, the upper passage partition plate2cis disposed at a substantially intermediate position in a height direction of a region where the heater core4is disposed, in the upper passage R1. Accordingly, air, which has passed through the heater core4, can be separately supplied to a side (that is, the guide passage R3) below the upper passage partition plate2c, and a side (the upper mixing space R4) above the upper passage partition plate2c.

The upper passage partition plate2cand the heater core4are spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction. That is, a gap is provided between the upper passage partition plate2cand a downstream end surface of the heater core4. The gap functions as a gap opening K2that discharges air, which is going to pass through the heater core4and flow into the guide passage R3, to the upper mixing space R4in a case where the guide passage R3is closed by the guide passage opening/closing mechanism10.

The upper passage partition plate2cand the outer shell wall2aare spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction. That is, a gap is provided between the upper passage partition plate2cand an inner wall surface of the outer shell wall2a. The gap functions as a recirculation opening K3that allows the air, which has passed through the guide passage R3, to be recirculated to the upper mixing space R4in a case where a foot opening Kc to be described below is closed and the upper and lower connection opening K1is opened.

The heater core upper end supporting wall2dsupports an upper end of the heater core4. The heater core upper end supporting wall2dis disposed in the upper passage R1, and partitions the upper passage R1into a heater installation passage R5where the heater core4is disposed, and a heater bypass passage R6where the heater core4is not disposed. In the upper passage R1, as illustrated inFIG. 1, the heater installation passage R5is disposed on an upper side, and the heater bypass passage R6is disposed on a lower side. The heater installation passage R5is connected to the guide passage R3and the upper mixing space R4on the downstream side.

The heater core lower end supporting wall2esupports a lower end of the heater core4. The heater core lower end supporting wall2eis disposed in the lower passage R2, and partitions the lower passage R2into a heater installation passage R7where the heater core4is disposed, and a heater bypass passage R8where the heater core4is not disposed. In the lower passage R2, as illustrated inFIG. 1, the heater installation passage R7is disposed on an upper side, and the heater bypass passage R8is disposed on a lower side.

A space of the lower passage R2on the downstream side of the heater core lower end supporting wall2eis a lower mixing space R9where the air heated by the heater core4and the cold air that has bypassed the heater core4are mixed together. The heater installation passage R7is connected to the lower mixing space R9on the downstream side.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the outer shell wall2ais provided with a defroster opening Ka that communicates with the upper mixing space R4and discharges conditioned air to be supplied toward a windowpane or the like of the vehicle, a face opening Kb that communicates with the upper mixing space R4and discharges conditioned air to be supplied toward the vicinity of a passenger's face, and a foot opening Kc that communicates with the lower mixing space R9and discharges conditioned air to be supplied toward passenger's foots. That is, the air-conditioning case2includes the defroster opening Ka, the face opening Kb, and the foot opening Kc as discharge openings for discharging conditioned air from the inside to the outside.

The defroster opening Ka is provided at an upper part of the outer shell wall2a, and is connected to the upper mixing space R4provided in the upper passage R1. The defroster opening Ka is openable and closable by the defroster opening opening/closing mechanism7, and discharges the conditioned air in the upper mixing space R4to the outside of the outer shell wall2ain an opened state.

The face opening Kb is provided at the upper part of the outer shell wall2aadjacent to the defroster opening Ka, and is connected to the upper mixing space R4provided in the upper passage R1. The face opening Kb is openable and closable by the face opening opening/closing mechanism8, and discharges the conditioned air in the upper mixing space R4to the outside of the outer shell wall2ain an opened state.

The foot opening Kc is provided at a lower part of the outer shell wall2a, and is connected to the lower mixing space R9provided in the lower passage R2. The foot opening Kc is openable and closable by the foot opening opening/closing mechanism9, and discharges the conditioned air in the lower mixing space R9to the outside of the outer shell wall2ain an opened state.

The evaporator3is a heat exchanger that cools air by exchanging heat between a refrigerant to be supplied from the outside and air to be supplied to the inside of the air-conditioning case2. The evaporator3is provided over the upper passage R1and the lower passage R2as illustrated inFIG. 1, and is disposed so as to fill the entire area of the upper passage R1and the lower passage R2as seen from the flow direction of air.

The heater core4is a heat exchanger that is disposed on a downstream side of the evaporator3and heats the air cooled by the evaporator3. In addition, it is also possible to use an electric heater as the heater core4. The heater core4is provided over the upper passage R1and the lower passage R2as illustrated inFIG. 1, and is disposed so as to fill the entire area of the heater installation passage R5of the upper passage R1and the heater installation passage R7of the lower passage R2as seen from the flow direction of air.

The upper air mixing door mechanism5is disposed between the evaporator3and the heater core4in the upper passage R1. The upper air mixing door mechanism5has a slide door5athat has a length dimension of about half of the height dimension of the upper passage R1and is slidable in an upward-downward direction, and a drive gear5bthat meshes with the slide door5aand moves the slide door5ain the upward-downward direction. Such an upper air mixing door mechanism5adjusts the position of the slide door5ain the upward-downward direction with the power transmitted from the outside, thereby adjusting the opening ratio of the heater installation passage R5and the heater bypass passage R6in the upper passage R1.

The lower air mixing door mechanism6is disposed between the evaporator3and the heater core4in the lower passage R2. The lower air mixing door mechanism6has a slide door6athat has a length dimension of about half of the height dimension of the lower passage R2and is slidable in the upward-downward direction, and a drive gear6bthat meshes with the slide door6aand moves the slide door6ain the upward-downward direction. Such a lower air mixing door mechanism6adjusts the position of the slide door6ain the upward-downward direction with the power transmitted from the outside, thereby adjusting the opening ratio of the heater installation passage R7and the heater bypass passage R8in the lower passage R2.

The defroster opening opening/closing mechanism7has a butterfly damper7athat is rotated by transmitting power from the outside. The butterfly damper7aperforms opening and closing of the defroster opening Ka. The face opening opening/closing mechanism8has a butterfly damper8athat is rotated by transmitting power from the outside. The butterfly damper8aperforms opening and closing of the face opening Kb. The foot opening opening/closing mechanism9has a butterfly damper9athat is rotated by transmitting power from the outside. The butterfly damper9aperforms opening and closing of the foot opening Kc. In addition, it is also possible to include a rotary dumper, a door damper, or a slide damper instead of the butterfly damper7a, the butterfly damper8a, and the butterfly damper9a.

The guide passage opening/closing mechanism10includes a shaft part10athat is journaled to the outer shell wall2a, an upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10b(a first sealing part) of which a root is fixed to the shaft part10a, and a guide passage opening/closing door10c(a second sealing part) that is connected to a distal end of the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10b.

The shaft part10ahas the root of the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bfixed thereof, and transmits the rotational power transmitted from the outside to the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10band the guide passage opening/closing door10c. The upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bis a door-shaped sealing part that can open and close the upper and lower connection opening K1. The upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bis rotating about the shaft part10a, and thereby can be changed to postures including a first posture in which the upper and lower connection opening K1is closed (posture illustrated inFIG. 1andFIG. 2), a second posture in which the recirculation opening K3(a posture illustrated inFIG. 3to be described below), and a third posture in which the upper and lower connection opening K1and the recirculation opening K3are opened (a posture illustrated inFIG. 4to be described below).

As illustrated inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the guide passage opening/closing door10cis a door-shaped sealing part that closes an outlet opening R32of the guide passage R3in a state where the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bis in the first posture. That is, the guide passage opening/closing door10cis connected to the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bat an angle at which the outlet opening R32of the guide passage R3is closed in a case where the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bcloses the upper and lower connection opening K1.

In this way, the guide passage opening/closing mechanism10has the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10band the guide passage opening/closing door10cthat can be changed in posture about the shaft part10a, and also closes the guide passage R3in a state where the upper and lower connection opening K1is closed.

Subsequently, the operation of the vehicular air conditioner1of the present embodiment configured in this way will be described with reference toFIG. 3andFIG. 4in addition toFIG. 1andFIG. 2. In addition, inFIG. 1toFIG. 4, arrows indicate the flow of air.

FIG. 1illustrates a state where the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bof the guide passage opening/closing mechanism10is in the first posture in which the upper and lower connection opening K1is closed as described above. Additionally,FIG. 3is a vertical sectional view schematically illustrating a schematic configuration of the vehicular air conditioner1, and illustrates a state where the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bof the guide passage opening/closing mechanism10is in the second posture in which the recirculation opening K3is closed. Additionally,FIG. 3is a vertical sectional view schematically illustrating a schematic configuration of the vehicular air conditioner1, and illustrates a state where the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bof the guide passage opening/closing mechanism10is in the third posture in which the upper and lower connection opening K1and the recirculation opening K3is closed.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bof the guide passage opening/closing mechanism10is brought into the first posture, and the foot opening Kc is brought into the opened state by the foot opening opening/closing mechanism9. In this state, air is supplied to the upper passage R1and the lower passage R2.

The air (for example, ambient air) supplied to the upper passage R1has passed through the evaporator3, and is then distributed to the heater installation passage R5and the heater bypass passage R6by the upper air mixing door mechanism5. The air distributed to the heater installation passage R5is heated by the heater core4, and then, a portion thereof tends to flow into the guide passage R3. Here, if the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bis in the first posture and the guide passage R3is closed by the guide passage opening/closing door10c, air cannot flow into the guide passage R3, and the air, which tends to flow into the guide passage R3, flows into the upper mixing space R4through the gap opening K2. That is, if the guide passage R3is closed by the guide passage opening/closing door10c, the total amount of air, which has passed through the heater installation passage R5, is supplied to the upper mixing space R4without passing through the guide passage R3.

The air, which has passed through the heater installation passage R5, is mixed with the air supplied to the upper mixing space R4through the heater bypass passage R6. As a result, the conditioned air adjusted to predetermined humidity and temperature is generated in the upper mixing space R4. The conditioned air generated in the upper mixing space R4in this way is discharged from the opened defroster opening Ka or face opening Kb to the outside of the vehicular air conditioner1. InFIG. 1, the defroster opening Ka is closed by the defroster opening opening/closing mechanism7, and the face opening Kb is opened by the face opening opening/closing mechanism8. For this reason, in the state illustrated inFIG. 1, the conditioned air generated in the upper mixing space R4is discharged from the face opening Kb.

The air (for example, internal air) supplied to the lower passage R2passes through the evaporator3, and is then distributed to the heater installation passage R7and the heater bypass passage R8by the lower air mixing door mechanism6. The air distributed to the heater installation passage R7is heated by the heater core4, and is then supplied to the lower mixing space R9.

The air, which has passed through the heater installation passage R7, is mixed with the air supplied to the lower mixing space R9through the heater bypass passage R8. As a result, the conditioned air adjusted to predetermined humidity and temperature is generated in the lower mixing space R9. The conditioned air generated in the lower mixing space R9in this way is discharged from the foot opening Kc opened by the foot opening opening/closing mechanism9to the outside of the vehicular air conditioner1.

Additionally, as illustrated inFIG. 3, the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bof the guide passage opening/closing mechanism10is brought into the second posture, and the foot opening Kc is brought into the opened state by the foot opening opening/closing mechanism9. In this state, air is supplied to the upper passage R1and the lower passage R2. In this case, the guide passage R3is opened by the guide passage opening/closing mechanism10, and the recirculation opening K3is brought into a closed state. For this reason, the air, which has flown into the guide passage R3, is guided to the lower mixing space R9through the upper and lower connection opening K1, and is discharged from the foot opening Kc to the outside.

Additionally, as illustrated inFIG. 4, the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bof the guide passage opening/closing mechanism10is brought into the third posture, and the foot opening Kc is brought into a closed state by the foot opening opening/closing mechanism9. In this state, air is supplied to the upper passage R1and the lower passage R2. In this case, the upper and lower connection opening K1and the recirculation opening K3are opened. For that reason, the air supplied to the guide passage R3is recirculated to the upper mixing space R4together with the air that has passed through the upper and lower connection opening K1from the lower passage R2, and is discharged from the opened defroster opening Ka or face opening Kb to the outside of the vehicular air conditioner1.

According to the vehicular air conditioner1of the present embodiment, in a state where the upper and lower connection opening K1that connects the upper passage R1and the lower passage R2is closed, the guide passage R3, which guides a portion of air toward the upper and lower connection opening K1, is closed by the guide passage opening/closing mechanism10. For this reason, air is prevented from flowing into the guide passage R3in a state where the upper and lower connection opening K1is closed, and the air flowing through the upper passage R1flows into the space above the upper passage partition plate2cwithout going via the guide passage R3and the recirculation opening K3. For this reason, according to the vehicular air conditioner1of the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the pressure loss inside the air-conditioning case2in a case where the upper and lower connection opening K1that connects the upper passage R1and the lower passage R2is closed.

Additionally, in the vehicular air conditioner1of the present embodiment, the guide passage opening/closing mechanism10has the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bthat can open and close the upper and lower connection opening K1, and the guide passage opening/closing door10cthat can open and close the outlet opening R32of the guide passage R3, and closes the outlet opening R32in a state where the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bcloses the upper and lower connection opening K1. For this reason, it is possible to simultaneously close the upper and lower connection opening K1and the guide passage R3by changing the posture of the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10b.

Additionally, in the vehicular air conditioner1of the present embodiment, the upper passage partition plate2c(downstream partition plate2b3) extends toward the upper and lower connection opening K1at the outlet end of the guide passage R3.

For this reason, it is possible to discharge the air flowing through the guide passage R3, toward the upper and lower connection opening K1.

Additionally, in the vehicular air conditioner1of the present embodiment, the gap opening K2is provided between the heater core4, and the upstream end of the upper passage partition plate2c. For this reason, even in a case where the guide passage R3is closed, the air heated at the heater installation passage R5can be smoothly guided to the upper mixing space R4. For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the gap opening K2is not provided. In such a case, air cannot flow into the guide passage R3at all from the heater installation passage R5, and air will incline and flows while being biased to the upper mixing space R4side inside the heater core4or on the upstream side of the heater core4. That is, if the gap opening K2is not provided, the effective flow passage area of the heater installation passage R5decreases substantially. In contrast, even in a case where the guide passage R3is closed by providing the gap opening K2, it is possible to efficiently heat air in the heater installation passage R5.

Next, a second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference toFIG. 5. In addition, in the description of the present embodiment, the description of the same portions as those of the above first embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

FIG. 5is a vertical sectional view schematically illustrating a schematic configuration of a vehicular air conditioner1A of the present embodiment.

As illustrated in this view, in the vehicular air conditioner1A of the present embodiment, a through opening K4is provided in the upper passage partition plate2cbetween the upstream end and the downstream end. The through opening K4is an opening that connects between the guide passage R3, and the space (upper mixing space R4) above the upper passage partition plate2c.

By providing the through opening K4, the air, which has flown into the guide passage R3, can be guided to the upper mixing space R4without going via the outlet opening R32of the guide passage R3. For this reason, even in a case where the outlet opening R32of the guide passage R3is closed by the guide passage opening/closing mechanism10, the air, which has flown into the guide passage R3, can be guided to the upper mixing space R4.

According to such a vehicular air conditioner1A of the present embodiment, even in a case where the outlet opening R32of the guide passage R3is closed by the guide passage opening/closing mechanism10, air can be made to flow into the guide passage R3through the heater core4. For that reason, it is possible to efficiently heat air in the heater installation passage R5.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the invention will be described with reference toFIG. 6toFIG. 9. In addition, in the description of the present embodiment, the description of the same portions as those of the above first embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

FIG. 6is a vertical sectional view schematically illustrating a schematic configuration of a vehicular air conditioner1B of the present embodiment.

As illustrated in this view, the vehicular air conditioner1B of the present embodiment does not include the foot opening opening/closing mechanism9in the above first embodiment, and the guide passage opening/closing mechanism10performs the opening and closing of the foot opening Kc.

FIG. 7is a perspective view of the guide passage opening/closing mechanism10provided in the vehicular air conditioner1B of the present embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 6andFIG. 7, in the present embodiment, the guide passage opening/closing mechanism10includes a recirculation opening opening/closing door10d(a third sealing part), a connecting part10e, and a foot opening opening/closing door10f(a fourth sealing part), in addition to the shaft part10aand the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bin the above first embodiment.

The recirculation opening opening/closing door10dis a sealing part that can open and close the recirculation opening K3, and is connected to the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bvia the connecting part10e. The recirculation opening opening/closing door10dcloses the recirculation opening K3in a state where the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bcloses the upper and lower connection opening K1. Additionally, the recirculation opening opening/closing door10dopens the recirculation opening K3in a state where the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bopens the upper and lower connection opening K1.

The connecting part10eis a part that connects the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10band the recirculation opening opening/closing door10d, is connected to the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10band the recirculation opening opening/closing door10d, and seals a gap between the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10band the recirculation opening opening/closing door10d.

The foot opening opening/closing door10fis connected to the shaft part10a, and can be changed to postures including an opened posture in which the foot opening Kc is opened, and a closed posture in which the foot opening Kc is closed, depending on the rotation of the shaft part10a. In the present embodiment, the foot opening opening/closing door10fopens the foot opening Kc in a state where the upper and lower connection opening K1is closed by the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10b, and closes the foot opening Kc in a state where the upper and lower connection opening K1is opened by the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10b.

The operation of the vehicular air conditioner1B of the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described with reference toFIG. 8andFIG. 9in addition toFIG. 6.

FIG. 6illustrates a state where the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bof the guide passage opening/closing mechanism10is in the first posture in which the upper and lower connection opening K1is closed.FIG. 8is a vertical sectional view schematically illustrating the schematic configuration of the vehicular air conditioner1B, and illustrates the state of being the second posture in that the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bof the guide passage opening/closing mechanism10closes the recirculation opening K3.FIG. 9is a vertical sectional view schematically illustrating a schematic configuration of the vehicular air conditioner1B, and illustrates a state where the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bof the guide passage opening/closing mechanism10is in the third posture in which the upper and lower connection opening K1and the recirculation opening K3is closed.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, if the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bof the guide passage opening/closing mechanism10is brought into the first posture, the recirculation opening opening/closing door10dcloses the recirculation opening K3, and the foot opening opening/closing doors10fopens the foot opening Kc.

In this state, air is supplied to the upper passage R1and the lower passage R2. Here, if the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bis in the first posture and the recirculation opening K3is closed by the recirculation opening opening/closing door10d, air can no longer pass through the guide passage R3, and the guide passage R3is brought into the closed state. For this reason, air cannot flow air into the guide passage R3, and the air, which tends to flow into the guide passage R3, flows into the upper mixing space R4through the gap opening K2.

Additionally, as illustrated inFIG. 8, if the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bof the guide passage opening/closing mechanism10is brought into the second posture, the recirculation opening opening/closing doors10dopens the recirculation opening K3, but the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bcloses the recirculation opening K3. Additionally, the foot opening opening/closing door10fopens the foot opening Kc. In this state, air is supplied to the upper passage R1and the lower passage R2. In this case, the guide passage R3is opened by the guide passage opening/closing mechanism10, and the recirculation opening K3is brought into the closed state. For this reason, the air, which has flown into the guide passage R3, is guided to the lower mixing space R9through the upper and lower connection opening K1, and is discharged from the foot opening Kc to the outside.

Additionally, as illustrated inFIG. 9, the upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door10bof the guide passage opening/closing mechanism10is brought into the third posture, and the foot opening Kc is brought into the closed state by the foot opening opening/closing door10f. In this state, air is supplied to the upper passage R1and the lower passage R2. In this case, the upper and lower connection opening K1and the recirculation opening K3are opened. Therefore, the air supplied to the guide passage R3is recirculated to the upper mixing space R4together with the air that has passed through the upper and lower connection opening K1from the lower passage R2, and is discharged from the opened defroster opening Ka or face opening Kb to the outside of the vehicular air conditioner1B.

According to the vehicular air conditioner1B of the present embodiment the guide passage opening/closing mechanism10includes the foot opening opening/closing door10f. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately install the foot opening opening/closing mechanism9, and it is possible to simplify the device.

Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, referring to the accompanying drawings, it is needless to say that the invention is not limited to only the configurations of the above respective embodiments. Various shapes, combinations, and the like of the respective constituent members that are shown in the above-described embodiments, are merely examples, and can be variously changed on the basis of design requirements or the like without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, a configuration in which the upper and lower connection opening K1is opened and closed by the guide passage opening/closing mechanism10has been described. However, the invention is not limited only to this configuration. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a mechanism that opens and closes the upper and lower connection opening K1may be provided separately from the guide passage opening/closing mechanism10.

Additionally, it is also possible to apply the invention to a vehicular air conditioner that can independently adjust the temperatures of a driver side and a seat side of a vehicle or a vehicular air conditioner that can supply conditioned air to a backseat.

Additionally, in the above second embodiment, a configuration in which the through opening K4is one has been described. However, the invention is not limited only to this configuration. For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration including a plurality of the through openings K4.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES

1: vehicular air conditioner

1A: vehicular air conditioner

1B: vehicular air conditioner

2a: outer shell wall

2b: upper and lower partition plate

2c: upper passage partition plate

10a: shaft part

10b: upper and lower connection opening opening/closing door (first sealing part)

10e: connecting part

K1: upper and lower connection opening

K2: gap opening

K4: through opening

R1: upper passage

R2: lower passage

R3: guide passage