Patent Publication Number: US-2013252528-A1

Title: Air-condition system for vehicle

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an air-condition system for a vehicle that can execute zone air-conditioning (personal air-conditioning) in which some areas of a passenger compartment (e.g. an area around an occupant) are set as an air-conditioning zone. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     As an air-condition system for a vehicle, proposed is a zone air-conditioning system that does not air-condition an entire in a passenger compartment but air-conditions only in an area around a passenger. A Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a prior-art zone air-condition system. As shown in  FIG. 15 , the air-condition system  100  for a vehicle disclosed in the Patent Document 1 includes a suction port  102  opened on a top face of a seat cushion  101   a  of a seat  101 , a blow-out port  103  opened above a headrest  101   c  of the seat  101 , and a duct  104  communicating the suction port  102  with the blow-out port  103 . A blower  105 , an evaporator  106  and a heater  107  are provided on a blow passageway in the duct  104 . 
     Interior air is suctioned from the suction port  102 , and the suctioned air is made into desired-temperature conditioned air by the evaporator  106  and the heater  107 . The conditioned air is blown out from the blow-out port  103 . The blown-out conditioned air passes around an occupant, and then it is suctioned from the suction port  102  again. By such a circulation of the conditioned air, a flow of conditioned air near an occupant made to establish zone air-conditioning. Quick cooling performance and quick heating performance can be improved by the zone air-conditioning. 
     A Patent Document 2 listed below discloses another prior-art zone air-condition system. As shown in  FIG. 16 , the air-condition system  110  for a vehicle disclosed in the Patent Document 2 includes a main air-conditioner (not shown) disposed within an instrument panel, and an in-seat air-conditioner  111 . The in-seat air-conditioner  111  includes first suction ports  113  opened at an upper portion of a seatback  112   b  of a seat  112 , a first blow-out port  111  opened at a lower portion of the seatback  112   b,  a first blow passageway  115  communicating the first suction ports  113  with the first blow-out port  114 , a second suction port  120  opened on a bottom face of a seat cushion  112   a,  second blow-out ports  121  opened on atop face of the seat cushion  112   a,  and a second blow passageway  122  communicating the second suction port  120  with the second blow-out ports  121 . A blower  116  and a heat exchanger  117  are provided on the first blow passageway  122 , and a blower  123  and a heat exchanger  124  are provided on the second blow passageway  122 . An end of a duct  130  extended from the main air-conditioner is opened below the second suction port  120 . 
     Desired-temperature conditioned air from the main air-conditioner is blown out into a passenger compartment from a forefront of the passenger compartment. The blown-out conditioned air passes around an occupant, and it is suctioned from the first suction ports  113  to be recovered. Therefore, a flow of conditioned air toward a rear section of the passenger compartment behind the first suction ports  113  can be restricted. The conditioned air suctioned from the first suction ports  113  passes through the heat exchanger  117 , and then blown out into the passenger compartment from the first blow-out port  114 . In addition, desired-temperature conditioned air from the main air-conditioner is blown out toward the bottom face of the seat cushion  112   a  from the duct  130 . The conditioned air suctioned from the second suction port  120  passes through the heat exchanger  124 , and thereby it is blown out into the passenger compartment from the second blow-out ports  121 . The conditioned air blown out from the first blow-out port  114  and the second blow-out ports  121  is discharged into the passenger compartment from a vicinity of the occupant, and then returned to the main air-conditioner again after mixed with non-conditioned air. By such a circulation of the conditioned air, a strong flow of conditioned air near a passenger is made to establish zone air-conditioning. Quick cooling performance and quick heating performance can be improved by the zone air-conditioning. 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENT 
     Patent Documents 
     Patent Document 1: Japanese Granted Patent No. 3301109 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H5-286346 
     Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-126047 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     However, in the above-explained air-condition system  100  shown in  FIG. 15 , it is needed to provide the evaporator  106  and the heater  107  used only for the zone air-conditioning, so that complexity and high-cost of the system subject to be brought. 
     In addition above-explained air-condition system  110  shown in  FIG. 16 , the conditioned air is generated by using a heat exchanger in the main air-conditioner (not shown). Further, the conditioned air blown out from the first blow-out port  114  and the second blow-out ports  121  is flown through the passenger compartment and then returned to the main air-conditioner only by a suctioning force of an interior air intake port(s) of the main air-conditioner. Since the conditioned air that has lost much heat during flowing through the passenger compartment is returned to the main air-conditioner, a load to the main air-conditioner becomes large and thereby it is hard to get an energy-saving effect. Furthermore, the conditioned air blown out from the first blow-out port  114  and the second blow-out ports  121  is most likely to be suctioned from the first suction ports  113  and the second suction port  120  on the seat  112  that are opened at a closer position than the interior air induction port(s) of the main air-conditioner, so that the conditioned air conditioned air blown out from the first blow-out port  114  and the second blow-out ports  121  is not returned to the main air-conditioner. Therefore, if the heat exchangers  117  and  124  of the in-seat air-conditioner  111  are not provided, a circulation flow of interior air without desired temperature may be formed. Namely, the heat exchangers  117  and  124  of the in-seat air-conditioner  111  are necessary in order to achieve comfortable zone air-conditioning by preventing the circulation flow of interior air without desired temperature, so that complexity and high-cost of the system is subject to be brought. 
     Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an air-condition system for a vehicle that can bring simplicity of the system configurations and cost reduction and achieve comfortable zone air-conditioning. 
     An aspect of the present invention provides an air-condition system for a vehicle that includes an air-conditioner that has a main blower, a main duct and a heat exchanger, and is configured to convert air suctioned into the main duct into desired conditioned air by the heat exchanger and to blow out the conditioned air into a passenger compartment; a suction port disposed near a seat for an occupant; and a sub duct of which one end is connected to the suction port to suction air from the suction port, wherein the air-conditioner suctions air that has been suctioned into the sub duct into the main duct, and blows the air into the passenger compartment again. 
     According to the aspect, the air-conditioner suctions air that has been suctioned in the sub duct into the main duct, and blows the air into the passenger compartment again. Namely, the conditioned air blown out into the passenger compartment by the air-conditioner is suctioned from the suction port disposed near the seat. Therefore, the conditioned air is recovered and a flow of conditioned air backward from the suction port is restricted, so that comfortable zone air-conditioning can be done. Since desired-temperature conditioned air can be generated by the heat exchanger during a zone air-conditioning mode, it is unnecessary to provide a heat exchanger used only for zone air-conditioning and thereby simplicity of the system configurations and cost reduction can be brought. 
     Here, it is preferable that another end of the sub duct is connected to the main duct, and the suction port and the main duct are communicated with each other by the sub duct. 
     According to this, the conditioned air suctioned from the suction port is returned to the air-conditioner through the sub duct. By such a circulation of the conditioned air, a comfortable flow of the conditioned air is formed around an occupant, so that comfortable zone air-conditioning can be established. 
     In addition, the conditioned air suctioned from the fiction port flows in the sub duct on a whole return path to air-conditioned, so that it is returned to the air-conditioned while its heat loss is restricted as much as possible. As a result, air-conditioning load to the air-conditioner reduces. Further, since the conditioned air suctioned from the suction port is never blown out into the passenger compartment, it doesn&#39;t occur that, like, as the air-condition system  110  shown in  FIG. 16 , a circulation flow without desired temperature is formed around occupants. 
     Alternatively, it is preferable that the system further includes a sub blower for introducing air from the suction port into the sub duct, wherein another end of the sub duct is opened near the air-conditioner to form an opening. 
     According to this, the conditioned air suctioned from the suction port flows through the sub duct by a suctioning force of the sub blower, and then it is returned to the air-conditioner after blown out from the opening near the air-conditioner. By such a circulation of the conditioned air, a comfortable flow of the conditioned air is formed around an occupant, so that comfortable zone air-conditioning can be established. 
     In addition, the conditioned air suctioned from the suction port flows in the sub duct on a large portion of a return path to the air-conditioned, so that it is returned to the air conditioned  11  while its heat loss is restricted as much as possible. As a result, air-conditioning load to the air-conditioner reduces. Further, since the conditioned air suctioned from the suction port is blown out into the passenger compartment from the opening near the air-conditioner, it doesn&#39;t occur that, like as the air-condition system  110  shown in  FIG. 16 , a circulation flow without desired temperature is formed around occupants. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       [ FIG. 1 ] It is a schematic side view of an air-condition system according to a first embodiment. 
       [ FIG. 2 ] It is a schematic plan view-of the air-condition system according to the first embodiment. 
       [ FIG. 3 ] It is a schematic configuration diagram of the air-condition system according to the first embodiment. 
       [ FIG. 4 ] It is a schematic side view of an air-condition system according to a second embodiment. 
       [ FIG. 5 ] It is a schematic configuration diagram of the air-condition system according to the second embodiment. 
       [ FIG. 6 ] It is a schematic side view of an air-condition system according to a third embodiment. 
       [ FIG. 7 ] It is a schematic plan view of the air-condition system according to the third embodiment. 
       [ FIG. 8 ] It is a schematic plan view of an air-condition system according to a fourth embodiment. 
       [ FIG. 9 ] It is a schematic side view of an air-condition system according to a fifth embodiment. 
       [ FIG. 10 ] It is a schematic plan view of the air condition system according to the fifth embodiment. 
       [ FIG. 11 ] It is a schematic configuration diagram of the air-condition system according to the fifth embodiment. 
       [ FIG. 12 ] It is a schematic side view of an air-condition system according to a sixth embodiment. 
       [ FIG. 13 ] It is a schematic plan view of the air-condition system according to the sixth embodiment. 
       [ FIG. 14 ] It is a schematic plan view of the air-condition system according to a seventh embodiment. 
       [ FIG. 15 ] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of a prior-art air-condition system. 
       [ FIG. 16 ] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of another prior-art air-condition system. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, embodiments will be explained based on the drawings. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3  show an air-condition system  10 A according to a first embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a vehicle  1  has an instrument panel at a forefront in a passenger compartment  2 . Two front seats (a driver seat and a passenger seat)  4  and one long rear seat  5  are provided in the passenger compartment  2 . Each of the front seats  4  has a seat cushion  4   a,  a seatback  4   b,  and a headrest  4   c.  The rear seat  5  has a seat cushion  5   a,  a seatback  5   b,  and two headrests  5   c.    
     As shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 , the air-condition system  10 A includes an air-conditioner  11 , suction ports  30 A provided near the front seats  4 , respectively, and a sub-dust  40  that communicates these suction ports  30 A and  30 B with induct  13  of the air-conditioner  11 . A blow passageway is formed in the inside of the main duct  13 . 
     The air-conditioner  11  has an air-conditioning unit  12  disposed within the instrument panel  3 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the main duct  13  is provided in the air-conditioning unit  12 . An outside air intake port  14  for introducing air outside the passenger compartment  2  (outside air) and an interior air intake port  15  for introducing air inside the passenger compartment  2  (interior air) are provided at a most upstream end of the main duct  13 . The outside air intake port  14  can be opened/closed by an intake door  16   a,  and the interior air intake port  15  can be opened/closed by an intake door  16   b.    
     In the main duct  13 , a blower  17 , an evaporator (heat exchanger)  18 , and a heater core (heat exchanger)  19  are arranged in this order from upstream. The evaporator  18  is a cooling source, and the heater core  19  is a heating source. A mixture door  20  is disposed between the evaporator  18  and the heater core  19 . 
     The blower  17  suctions interior air or outside air into the main duct  13  by rotating its fan. The evaporator  18  is arranged so that entire air flowing through the main duct  13  passes therethrough, and cools the air. The heater core  19  is arranged so as to occupy a half of the cross-section of the main duct  13 , and heats the air. The mixture door  20  adjusts ratio of an air volume passing through the heater core  19  to an air volume bypassing the heater core  19 . Desired-temperature conditioned air is generated by changing this air volume ratio. 
     A defroster blow-out port  21 , vent blow-out ports  22   a  and  22   b,  and foot blow-out ports  23   a  and  23   b  are provided downstream from the heater core  19 . The defroster blow-out port  21  blows out conditioned air to a front glass windshield. The vent blow-out ports  22   a  and  22   b  are comprised of the vent blow-out ports  22   a  for a driver seat and the vent blow-out ports  22   b  for a passenger seat, and blow out conditioned air toward upper bodies of occupants. The foot blow-out ports  23   a  and  23   b  are comprised of the foot blow-out port  23   a  for a driver seat and the foot blow-out port  23   b  for a passenger seat, and blow out conditioned air toward lower bodies of occupants. The defroster blow-out port  21  is opened/closed by a defroster door  24 . The vent blow-out ports  22   a  and  22   b  are opened/closed by a vent door  25 . The foot blow-out ports  23   a  and  23   b  are opened/closed by a foot door  26 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the suction ports  30 A for the right front seat  4  (or the suction ports  30 B for the loft front seat  4 ) are disposed at an upper portion of =the seatback  4   b  and on both sides of the headrest  4   c.  Total four of the suction ports  30 A and  30 B are opened just behind upper bodies of occupants on the front seats  4 . 
     As show in  FIG. 3 , one end of the sub duct  40  is connected with the suction ports  30 A and  30 B. Another end of the sub duct  40  is connected to the main duct  13  at a position upstream from the blower  17 . A selector door  41  is disposed at a connected position of the sub duct  40  with the main duct  13 . The selector door  41  can shut communication of the inside of the sub duct  40  with the inside of the main duct  13 . Operations of the selector door  40  are controlled by a controller  50 . 
     In addition, a temperature sensor S 1  is disposed in the sub duct  40 . The temperature sensor S 1  detects temperature of conditioned air suctioned from the suction ports  30 A and  30 B. Detection data of the temperature sensor St are output to the controller  50 . 
     Various commands (settings) concerning air-conditioning are input to an operational panel (not shown). Through the operational panel, selected can be an entire air-conditioning mode for conditioning air of a whole space in the passenger compartment or a zone air-condition mode for preferentially conditioning air of a space around front seats. 
     The controller  50  controls operations of the air-conditioner  11  and switching of the selector door  50  according to the commands or the like from the operational panel. When the entire air-conditioning mode is selected, the controller  50  closes the selector door  91 , and controls blow-out temperature and so on by using a temperature sensor (not shown), disposed near the instrument panel  3 , of the air-conditioner  11 . On the other hand, when the zone air-conditioning mode is selected, the controller  50  opens the selector door  41 , and controls blow-out temperature and so on by using the temperature sensor S 1  in the sub duct  40 . 
     Behaviors of the above-explained air-condition system  10 A will be explained. When the air-conditioner  11  is operated, air is suctioned, by the blower  17 , into the main duct  13  from the outside air intake port  14  or the interior air intake port  15 . The suctioned air is turned into desired-temperature conditioned air by the evaporator  18  and the heater core  19 , and then the conditioned air is blown out into the passenger compartment  2  from at least one of the blow-out ports  21 ,  22   a ,  22   b ,  23   a  and  23   b  (e.g. vent blow out ports  22   a  and  22   b ). 
     During the entire air-conditioning mode, the lector door  41  is closed. Due to this, the conditioned air is not suctioned from the suction ports  30 A and  30 B. Therefore, the conditioned air blown out, by the air-conditioner  11 , into the passenger compartment  2  forms a flow extending to almost an entire area in the passenger compartment  2 , so that air in an entire of the passenger compartment  2  is conditioned. 
     On the other hand, during the zone air-conditioning mode is selected, the selector door  41  is opened. Due to this, the conditioned air is suctioned, by a suctioning force of the blower  17 , from the suction ports  30 A and  30 B. Therefore, the conditioned air blown out into the passenger compartment  2  from the air-conditioner  11  is suctioned from the suction ports  30 A and  30 B on the front seats  4 . The suctioned conditioned air is returned to the air-conditioning unit  12  through the sub duct  40 . As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the conditioned air flows around occupants on the front seats  4  intensively (preferentially), and then it is recovered from the suction ports  30 A and  30 B. A flow of conditioned air toward a rear section of the passenger compartment behind the suction ports  30 A and  30 B is also restricted. As a result, the zone air-conditioning zone is formed around the front seats  4  in the passenger compartment  2 . 
     Since desired-temperature conditioned air is generated by using the evaporator  18  and the heater core  19  of the air-conditioning unit  12  in the zone air-conditioning mode, it is unnecessary to provide a heat exchanger (s) used only for the zone air-conditioning and thereby simplicity of the system configurations and cost reduction can be brought. The conditioned air suctioned from the suction ports  30 A and  30 B flows in the sub duct  40  on a whole return path to the air conditioned  11 , so that it is returned to the air-conditioned  11  while loss of heat (including temperature and humidity) is restricted as much as possible. As a result, air-conditioning load to the air-conditioner  11  reduces. Further, since the conditioned air suctioned from the suction ports  30 A and  30 B is never blown out into the passenger compartment  2 , a circulation flow without desired temperature is not formed around occupants. 
     Therefore, according to the air-condition system  10 A, simplicity of the system configurations and cost reduction can be brought. In addition, comfortable zone air-conditioning can be done while realizing energy-saving due to reduction of air-conditioning load. Furthermore, quick cooling performance and quick heating performance can be improved by zone air-conditioning. 
     In a vehicle in which an air-conditioned has been already equipped, the above embodiment can be realized by only providing the suction ports  30 A and  30 B and the sub duct  40 , so that it can be easily installed later on. 
     In addition, since the selector door  41  for shutting the communication of the inside of the sub duct  40  with the inside of the main duct  13  is provided, the entire air-conditioning mode and the zone air-conditioning mode can be carried out selectively by using the selector door  41 . Further, the entire air-conditioning mode and the zone air-conditioning mode can be easily changed over by only controlling operations of the selector door  41 . 
     In addition, since the other end of the sub duct  40  is connected to the main duct  13  at a position upstream from the blower  17 , it can be possible to suction the conditioned air from the suction ports  30 A and  30 B by using a suctioning force of the blower  17 . Therefore, it is not needed to additionally provide a blower only for suctioning from the suction ports  30 A and  30 B. As a result, further simplicity of the system configurations and lower-cost can be brought. 
     Note that a sub blower only for suctioning from the suction ports  30 A and  30 B may be provided in the sub duct  40 . According to this configuration, it is possible to suction the conditioned air into the sub duct  40  reliably. 
     In addition, the suction ports  30 A and  30 B are disposed on the front seats  4 . Since the front seats  4  are conventional parts inevitably installed, they are the most appropriate for installation of the suction ports  30 A and  30 B and it is easy to dispose the suction ports  30 A and  30 B thereon. 
     Further, the suction ports  30 A and  30 B are disposed at the upper portions of the seatbacks  4   b.  Airflows blown out from the vent blow-out ports  22   a  and  22   b  are flown toward a vicinity of heads and upper bodies of occupants. And, warm air blown out from the foot vent blow-out ports  23   a  and  23   b  forms airflows from beneath toward above in the passenger compartment  2 . Therefore, the conditioned air can be suctioned efficiently by the suction ports  30 A and  30 B disposed at the upper portions of the seatbacks  4   b.    
     Furthermore, the temperature sensor S 1  for detecting temperature of the conditioned air suctioned from the suction ports  30 A and  30 B is provided. Therefore, during the zone -conditioning mode, temperature or the like conditioned air to be blown out from the air-conditioner  11  can be controlled based on the temperature of the conditioned air that has actually passed through a vicinity of occupants, so that air conditioning temperature can be controlled adequately. 
     Second Embodiment 
       FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  show an air-condition system  10 B according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the other end of the sub duct  40  is different from that in the above-explained air-condition system  10 A according to the first embodiment. The other end of the sub duct  40  is connected to the main duct  13  at a position between blower  17  and the evaporator  18 . Then, a sub blower  42  for suctioning air from the suction ports  30 A and  30 B is disposed on the sub duct  40 . The sub blower  42  is controlled by the controller  50 . 
     Identical or equivalent components to those in the first embodiments will be labeled with identical reference numbers and their redundant explanations will be omitted. 
     Behaviors of the above-explained air-condition system  10 B will be explained. When the air-conditioner  11  is operated, air is suctioned, by the blower  17 , into the main duct  13  from the outside air intake port  14  or the interior air intake port  15 . The suctioned air is turned into desired-temperature conditioned air by the evaporator  18  and the heater core  19 , and then the conditioned air is blown out into the passenger compartment  2  from at least one of the blow-out ports  21 ,  22   a ,  22   b,    23   a  and  23   b  (e.g. the vent blow-out ports  22   a  and  22   b ). 
     During the entire air-conditioning mode, the selector door  41  is closed and the sub blower  42  is not operated. Due to this, the conditioned air is not suctioned from the suction ports  30 A and  30 B. Therefore, the conditioned air blown out, by the air-conditioner  11 , the passenger compartment  2  forms a flow extending to almost an entire area in the passenger compartment  2 , so that air in an entire of the passenger compartment  2  is conditioned. 
     On the other hand, during the zone air-conditioning mode is selected, the selector door  41  is opened and the sub blower  42  is operated. Due to this, the conditioned air is suctioned, by a suctioning force of the sub blower  42 , from the suction ports  30 A and  30 B. Therefore, the conditioned air blown out into the passenger compartment  2  from the air-conditioner  11  is suctioned from the suction ports  30 A and  30 B on the front seats  4 . The suctioned conditioned air is returned to the air-conditioning unit  12  through the sub duct  40 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the conditioned air flows around the front seats  4  intensively (preferentially), and then it is recovered from the suction ports  30 A and  30 B. A flow of conditioned air toward a rear section of the passenger compartment behind the suction ports  30 A and  30 B is also restricted. As a result, a zone air-conditioning zone is formed around the front seats  4  in the passenger compartment  2 . 
     Therefore, according to the air-condition system  10 A, simplicity of the system configurations and cost reduction can be brought similarly to the first embodiment. In addition, comfortable zone air-conditioning can be done while realizing energy-saving due to reduction of air-conditioning load. Furthermore, quick cooling performance and quick heating performance can be improved by zone air-conditioning. 
     Further, since the sub blower  42  is provided in addition to the selector door  41 , the entire air-conditioning mode and the zone air-conditioning mode can be carried out selectively by controlling the selector door  41  and the sub blower  42 . 
     Since the sub blower  42  is provided in the second embodiment, a suctioning volume through the suction ports  30 A and  30 B can be adjusted independently from a blowing volume by the air-conditioner  11 . 
     Third Embodiment 
       FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  show an air-condition system  10 C according to a third embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , the air-condition system  10 C further includes suction ports  30 C and  30 D provided near the rear seat(s)  5 , and a sub duct  43  that communicates these suction ports  30 C and  30 D with the main duct  13  (see  FIG. 3 ) of the air-conditioner  11 , in addition to the system configurations of the first embodiment. 
     Identical or equivalent components to those in the first embodiments will be labeled with identical reference numbers and their redundant explanations will be omitted. 
     The suction ports  30 C for the right rear seat  5  (or the blow-out ports  30 D for the left rear seat  5 ) are disposed at an upper portion of the seatback  5   b  and on both sides of the headrest  5   c.  Total four of the suction ports  30 C and  30 D are opened just behind upper bodies of occupants on the rear seats  5 . 
     The other end of the sub duct  43  is also connected to the main duct  13  at a position upstream from the blower  17  (see  FIG. 3 ). A selector door (not shown: equivalent to the selector door  41 ) is disposed at a connected position of the sub duct  43  with the main duct  13 . This selector door can shut communication of the inside of the sub duct  43  with the inside of the main duct  13 , too. Operation of this selector door are also controlled by the controller  50  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     Behaviors of the above-explained air-condition system  10 C will be explained. During the zone air-conditioning mode, the conditioned air is suctioned from the suction ports  30 A and  30 B, so that the zone air-conditioning zone is formed. around the front seats  4  in the passenger compartment  2 , as explained in the first embodiment. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , the conditioned air is suctioned from the suction ports  30 C and  30 D, so that a zone air-conditioning zone is also formed around the rear seats  5  in the passenger compartment  2 . Therefore, the conditioned air blown out into the passenger compartment  2  from the air-conditioner  11  passes around occupants on the front seats  4 , and then it is suctioned from the suction ports  30 C and  30 D as well. The suctioned conditioned air is returned to the air-conditioning unit  12  through the sub duct  43 . The conditioned air flows around the rear seats  5 , in addition to the front seats  4 , intensively (preferentially), and then it is recovered from the suction ports  30 C and  30 D. A flow of conditioned air toward a rear section of the passenger compartment behind the suction ports  30 C and  30 D is restricted. As a result, the zone air-conditioning zone is formed around the front seats  4  and the rear seats  5  in the passenger compartment  2 . 
     Note that, similarly to the second embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the other end of the sub duct  43  may be connected to the main duct  13  at a position between the blower  17  and the evaporator  18 . In this case, the sub blowers  42  are provided on the sub ducts  40  and  43 , respectively (see  FIG. 5 : the blower on the sub duct  43  is not shown). 
     The air-condition system  10 C according to the present embodiment is especially effective for a vehicle with the passenger compartment  2  having a large volumetric capacity, such as a box-shaped van. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
       FIG. 8  shows an air-condition system  10 D according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the air-condition system  10 D is different from the above-explained air-condition system  10 A of the first embodiment in that the suction ports  30 A on the right front seat  4  and the suction ports  30 B on the left front seat  4  are connected with the main duct  13  (see  FIG. 3 ) by sub ducts  40 A and  40 B that are independent from each other, respectively. 
     Identical or equivalent components to those in the first embodiments will be labeled with identical reference numbers and their redundant explanations will be omitted. 
     Selector doors (not shown: equivalent to the selector door  41 ) are disposed at connected positions of the sub ducts  40 A and  40 B with the main duct  13 , respectively. These selector doors can shut communication of the insides of the sub duets  40 A and  40 B with the inside of the main duct  13 , respectively. Operations of these selector doors are also controlled by the controller  50  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     In the present embodiment, it can be possible to form the zone air-conditioning zone around the both left and right front seats  4 , to form the zone air-conditioning zone around only the right front seat  4  (a state shown in  FIG. 8 ), or to form the zone air-conditioning zone around only the left front seat  4 . 
     In addition, the other ends of the two sub ducts  40 A and  40 B relay be connected to the main duct  13 , respectively, at positions between the blower  17  and the evaporator  18 . In this case, the sub blowers  42  (see  FIG. 5 ) are provided on the sub ducts  40 A and  40 B, respectively. 
     Fifth Embodiment 
       FIG. 9  to  FIG. 11  show an air-condition system  10 E according to a fifth embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 9  to  FIG. 11 , the air-condition system  10 E is different from the above-explained air-condition system  10 A of the first embodiment in that the sub duct  40  is not directly connected with the main duct  13 . In addition, along with this configuration, it is also different from the above-explained air-condition system  10 A of the first embodiment in that the sub blower  42  explained in the second embodiment is provided on the sub duct  40  and a supplemental interior air intake port  27  is provided near the interior air intake port  15  of the main duct  13 . 
     Identical or equivalent components to those in the first embodiments will be labeled with identical reference numbers and their redundant explanations will be omitted. Note that explanations for the sub blower  42  will be also omitted because the sub blower  42  is already explained in the second embodiment. 
     A supplemental door  41 A equivalent to the above-explained selector door  41  is disposed at a connected position of the supplemental interior air intake port  27  with the main duct  13 . The supplemental door  41 A opens and closes the supplemental interior air intake port  27 . Operations of the supplemental door  41 A are controlled by the controller  50 . 
     Although it is similar to the first embodiment that the one end of the sub duct  40  is connected with the suction ports  30 A and  30 B, the other end of the sub duct  40  is formed as an opening  40   a.  The opening  40   a  is disposed near the interior air intake port  15  and the supplemental interior air intake port  27 , and opened toward the interior air intake port  15  and the supplemental interior air intake port  27 . 
     Behaviors of the above-explained air-condition system  10 E will be explained. During the zone air-conditioning mode, the sub blower  42  is operated and the conditioned air is suctioned, by a suctioning force of the sub blower  42 , from the suction ports  30 A and  30 B on the front seats  4 . Therefore, the conditioned air blown out into the passenger compartment  2  from the air-conditioner  11  is suctioned from the suction ports  30 A and  30 B on the front seats  4 . The suctioned conditioned air flows through the sub duct  40 , and it is suctioned into the air-conditioning unit  12  from the interior air intake port  15  (the supplemental interior air intake port  27 ) just after being blown-out from the opening  40   a  near the air-conditioning unit  12 . Here, in an interior air intake mode, the air blown out from the opening  40   a  is suctioned into the air-conditioning unit  12  from the interior air intake port  15 . At this moment, the supplemental interior air intake port  27  is closed by the supplemental door  41 A. On the other hand, in an outside air intake mode, the air blown out from the opening  40   a  is suctioned into the air-conditioning unit  12  from the supplemental interior air intake port  27 . At this moment, the supplemental interior air intake port  27  is opened by the supplemental door  41 A. As shown in  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 , the conditioned air flows around occupants on the front seats  4  intensively (preferentially), and then it is recovered from the suction ports  30 A and  30 B. A flow of conditioned air toward a rear section of the passenger compartment behind the suction ports  30 A and  30 B is also restricted. As a result, the zone air-conditioning zone is formed around the front seats  4  in the passenger compartment  2 . 
     Since desired-temperature conditioned air is generated by using the evaporator  10  and the heater core  19  of the air-conditioning unit  12  in the zone air-conditioning mode, it is not necessary to provide a heat exchanger(s) to be used only for the zone air-conditioning and thereby simplicity of the system configurations and low-cost can be brought. The conditioned air suctioned from the suction ports  30 A and  30 B flows in the sub duct  40  on a large portion of a return path to the air-conditioned  11 , so that it is returned to the air-conditioned  11  while loss of heat (including temperature and humidity) is restricted as much as possible. As a result, air-conditioning  11  load to the air-conditioner  11  reduces. Further, since the conditioned air suctioned from the suction ports  30 A and  30 B is blown out into the passenger compartment  2  from the opening  40   a  near the air-conditioning unit  12 , a circulation flow without desired temperature is not formed around occupants. 
     Therefore, according to the air-condition system  10 A, simplicity of the system configurations and low-cost can be brought. In addition, comfortable zone air-conditioning can he done while realizing energy-saving due to reduction of air-conditioning load. Furthermore, quick cooling performance and quick heating performance can be improved by zone air-conditioning. 
     In a vehicle in which an air-conditioned has been already equipped, the above embodiment can be realized by only providing the suction ports  30 A and  30 B, the sub duct  40  and the sun blower  42 , so that it can be easily installed later on. 
     It is possible to perform the entire air conditioning mode or the zone air-conditioning mode selectively by controlling the sub blower  42 , and the change over between them can be controlled easily. 
     In addition, the suction ports  30 A and  30 B are disposed on the front seats  4 . Since the front seats  4  are conventional parts inevitably installed, they are the most appropriate for installation of the suction ports  30 A and  30 B and it easy to dispose the suction ports  30 A and  30 B thereon. 
     Further, the suction ports  30 A and  30 B are disposed at the upper portions of the seatbacks  4   b.  Airflows blown out from the vent blow-out ports  22   a  and  22   b  are flown toward a vicinity of heads and upper bodies of occupants. And, warm air blown out from the foot vent blow-out ports  23   a  and  23   b  forms airflows from beneath toward above in the passenger compartment  2 . Therefore, the conditioned air can be suctioned efficiently by the suction ports  30 A and  30 B disposed at the upper portions of the seatbacks  4   b.    
     Furthermore, the opening  40   a  of the sub duct  40  is disposed near the interior air intake port  15  (the supplemental interior air intake port  27 ) of the air-conditioning unit  12 , and opened toward the interior air intake port  15  (the supplemental interior air intake port  27 ). Therefore, the air blown out from the opening  40   a  is recovered to the inside of the air-conditioning unit  12  reliably and quickly due to a synergy effect of the suctioning force of the blower  17  in the air-conditioning unit  12  and the suction force of the sub blower  42  on the sub duct  40 . 
     Furthermore, the air-conditioning unit  12  includes the supplemental interior air intake port  27  and the supplemental door  41 A. Therefore, it is possible to recover, to the inside of the air-conditioning unit  12 , the air blown out from the opening  40   a  by the supplemental interior air intake port  27 , so that the zone air-conditioning can be done even in the outside air intake mode. 
     Furthermore, the temperature sensor S 1  for detecting temperature of the conditioned air suctioned from the suction ports  30 A and  30 B is provided. Therefore, during the zone air-conditioning mode, temperature or the like of conditioned air to be blown out from the air-conditioner  11  can be controlled based on the temperature of the conditioned air that has actually passed through a vicinity of occupants, so that air-conditioning temperature can be controlled adequately. 
     Furthermore, the suctioning volume through the suction ports  30 A and  30 B can be adjusted, by controlling the sub blower  42 , independently from the blowing volume by the air-conditioner  11 . 
     Sixth Embodiment 
       FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13  show an air-condition system  10 F according to a sixth embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 , in the air-condition system  10 F, suction ports  30 C and  30 D provided near the rear seat (s)  5 , a duct  43  for returning air suctioned from these suction ports  30 C and  30 D to a vicinity of the air-conditioning unit  12  of the air-conditioner  11 , and a sub blower  44  for suctioning air from the suction ports  30 C and  30 D into the duct  43  are further provided, in addition to the system configurations of the fifth embodiment. 
     Identical or equivalent components to those in the fifth embodiments will be labeled with identical reference numbers and their redundant explanations will be omitted. 
     The suction ports  30 C for the right rear seat  5  (or the suction ports  30 D for the left rear seat  5 ) are disposed at an upper portion of the seatback lb and on both sides of the headrest  5   c.  Total four of the suction ports  30 C and  30 D are opened just behind upper bodies of occupants on the rear seats  5 . 
     The other end of the duct  43  for the rear seats is formed as an opening  43   a.  Similarly to the opening  40   a  of the sub duct  40 , the opening  43   a  is disposed near the interior air intake port  15  and the supplemental interior air intake port  27 , and opened toward the interior air intake port  15  and the supplemental interior air intake port  27 . 
     Behaviors of the above-explained air-condition system  10 F will be explained. The conditioned air is suctioned from the suction ports  30 A and  30 B on the front seats  4 , so that a zone air-conditioning zone is formed around the front seats  4  in the passenger compartment  2 , as explained in the first embodiment. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 , the conditioned air is suctioned from the suction ports  30 C and  30 D on the rear seats  5 , so that a zone air-conditioning zone is also formed around the rear seats  5  in the passenger compartment  2 . Therefore, the conditioned air blown out into the passenger compartment  2  from the air-conditioner  11  passes around occupants on the front seats  4 , and then it is suctioned from the suction ports  30 C and  30 D as well. The suctioned conditioned air flows through the sub duct  43 , and it is suctioned into the air-conditioning unit  12  from the interior air intake port  15  (the supplemental interior air intake port  27 ) after being blown-out from the opening  43   a  near the air-conditioning unit  12 . The conditioned air flows around occupant s on the rear seats  5 , in addition to the front seats  4 , intensively (preferentially), and then it is recovered from the suction ports  30 C and  30 D. A flow of conditioned air toward a rear section of the passenger compartment behind the suction ports  30 C and  30 D restricted. As a result, the zone air conditioning zone is formed around the front seats  4  and the rear seats  5  in the passenger compartment  2 . 
     The air-condition system  10 F according to the present embodiment is especially effective for a vehicle with the passenger compartment  2  having a large volumetric capacity, such as a box-shaped van. 
     Seventh Embodiment 
       FIG. 14  shows an air-condition system  10 G according to a seventh embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 14 , the air-condition system  10 G is different from the above-explained air-condition system  105  of the fifth embodiment in that the suction ports  30 A on the right front seat  4  and the suction ports  30 B on the left front seat  4  are connected with sub ducts  40 A and  40 B that are independent from each other, respectively. Each of the openings  40   a  the sub ducts  40 A and  40 B is disposed near the interior air intake port  15  and the supplemental interior air intake port  27 , and opened toward the interior air intake port  15  and the supplemental interior air intake port  27 . 
     Identical or equivalent components to those in the first embodiments or the fifth embodiment will be labeled with identical reference numbers and their redundant explanations will be omitted. 
     In the present embodiment, it can be possible to form the zone air-conditioning zone around the both left and right front seats  4 , to form the zone air-conditioning zone around only the right front seat  4  (a state shown in  FIG. 14 ), or to form the zone air-conditioning zone around only the left front seat  4 . 
     Although the supplemental interior air intake port  27  is provided on the main duct  13  of the air-conditioning unit  12  and the supplemental door  41 A for opening and closing the supplemental interior air intake port  27  is provided in the above-explained fifth to seventh embodiments, the supplemental interior air intake port  27  and the supplemental door  41 A may not be provided. In this case, when the zone air-conditioning mode is selected during an outside air intake mode, the intake doors  16   a  and  16   b  are controlled so as to open both of the outside air intake port  14  and the interior air intake port  15 . According to this, it becomes unnecessary to provide the supplemental interior air intake port  27  and the supplemental door  41 A, so that the system configurations can be made simple. 
     Note that, in any of the above-explained first to seventh embodiment, it may be done to provide suction ports near all seats and provide sub ducts for the suction ports, respectively. According to this, zone air-conditioning can be done for each occupant, so that zone air-conditioning optimized with vehicle occupancy can be done. In addition, although the suction ports  30 A to  30 D are provided on the seats  4  or  5 , they may be provided anywhere as long as near seats for occupants. Providing the suction ports  30 A to  30 D near the seats  4  or  5  makes their later-on installation easy.