Patent Description:
Moisture may condense on a surface of the heat exchanger disposed on a vehicle interior side during the operation of the above-described air conditioning device for the vehicle. Accordingly, there is a possibility that bacteria and mold may grow.

Other known air conditioning devices are disclosed in patent publications <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> or <CIT>.

Harmful microorganisms that had grown on the surface of the vehicle interior heat exchanger may give not only produce metabolites that cause foul odors and cause discomfort to users, but may also induce diseases such as allergies and bronchitis. Conventionally, in order to avoid such an adverse effect, it has been necessary to periodically clean the heat exchanger or drain pan.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems and an object thereof is to provide an air conditioning device for a vehicle capable of performing a hygienic operation for a longer period.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an air conditioning device for a vehicle is provided according to the appended set of claims.

According to the air conditioning device for the vehicle of the present invention, it is possible to perform a hygienic operation for a longer period.

Hereinafter, an air conditioning device <NUM> for a vehicle will be described with reference to <FIG>. The air conditioning device <NUM> for the vehicle is mounted on a transport machine (vehicle) such as an automobile or a truck. That is, this air conditioning device <NUM> for the vehicle adjusts the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the vehicle. As shown in <FIG>, the air conditioning device <NUM> for the vehicle includes a refrigeration cycle <NUM>, a high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM>, a low-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM>, a first connection line <NUM>, a second connection line <NUM>, a third connection line <NUM>, a fourth connection line <NUM>, and a switching unit <NUM>. Additionally, in <FIG>, the pipes that are open are indicated by solid lines and the pipes that are closed are indicated by dashed lines.

The refrigeration cycle <NUM> includes a refrigerant line <NUM> which is a pipe through which a refrigerant is circulated, a compressor <NUM> which is disposed on the refrigerant line <NUM>, a condenser <NUM>, an expansion valve <NUM>, and an evaporator <NUM>. The compressor <NUM>, the condenser <NUM>, the expansion valve <NUM>, and the evaporator <NUM> are arranged in this order on the refrigerant line <NUM>. Further, when the refrigeration cycle <NUM> is in operation, the refrigerant also passes through each device in this order.

The compressor <NUM> feeds the refrigerant in the refrigerant line <NUM> with increasing the pressure thereof. Accordingly, the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant after passing through the compressor <NUM> rises as compared with the refrigerant before passing through the compressor. The condenser <NUM> exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing into the condenser <NUM> and the cooling water (described later) flowing through the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM>. The expansion valve <NUM> sharply decreases the temperature by decreasing the pressure of the refrigerant passing through the expansion valve <NUM>. The evaporator <NUM> exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing into the evaporator <NUM> and the heat medium (described later) flowing through the low-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM>.

The high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> includes a high-temperature heat medium line <NUM> through which cooling water is introduced to the condenser <NUM>, a cooler core <NUM> (first vehicle interior heat exchanger) and a heater core <NUM> (second vehicle interior heat exchanger) which are arranged in parallel on the high-temperature heat medium line <NUM>, and a high-temperature heat medium pump <NUM> which feeds cooling water with increasing the pressure thereof. That is, the heat medium flowing out of the condenser <NUM> can be branched and flowed toward each of the heater core <NUM> and the cooler core <NUM>. The heater core <NUM> and the cooler core <NUM> are heat exchangers arranged on the vehicle interior side. The heater core <NUM> and the cooler core <NUM> exchange heat between the indoor/outdoor air and to the cooling water. Additionally, it is possible to perform an operation of increasing a room temperature while suppressing an increase in indoor humidity in such a manner that the cooler core <NUM> first cools the air to remove the moisture and then the heater core <NUM> heats the air in the heating operation.

The low-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> includes a low-temperature heat medium line <NUM> through which cooling water is introduced to the evaporator <NUM>, a first vehicle exterior heat exchanger <NUM> and a second vehicle exterior heat exchanger <NUM> which are arranged in parallel on the low-temperature heat medium line <NUM>, and a low-temperature heat medium pump <NUM> which feeds a heat medium with increasing the pressure thereof. That is, the cooling water flowing out of the evaporator <NUM> can be branched and flowed toward each of the first vehicle exterior heat exchanger <NUM> and the second vehicle exterior heat exchanger <NUM>. The first vehicle exterior heat exchanger <NUM> and the second vehicle exterior heat exchanger <NUM> are heat exchangers arranged on the vehicle exterior side. The first vehicle exterior heat exchanger <NUM> and the second vehicle exterior heat exchanger <NUM> exchange heat between the outdoor air and the heat medium.

The first connection line <NUM> and the second connection line <NUM> are pipes which connect the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> to the low-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM>. That is, the heat medium flows through the first connection line <NUM> and the second connection line <NUM>. The first connection line <NUM> and the second connection line <NUM> are parallel to each other. That is, the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> and the low-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> can be connected by at least one of the first connection line <NUM> and the second connection line <NUM> in accordance with the selected operation state (operation mode) of the air conditioning device <NUM> for the vehicle.

The third connection line <NUM> and the fourth connection line <NUM> are also pipes which connect the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> to the low-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM>. That is, the heat medium flows through the third connection line <NUM> and the fourth connection line <NUM>. The third connection line <NUM> and the fourth connection line <NUM> are parallel to each other. That is, the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> and the low-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> can be connected by at least one of the third connection line <NUM> and the fourth connection line <NUM> in addition to at least one of the first connection line <NUM> and the second connection line <NUM> in accordance with the selected operation state (operation mode) of the air conditioning device <NUM> for the vehicle. Further, in this embodiment, an in-vehicle device <NUM> which is an auxiliary device of the vehicle is disposed only on the third connection line <NUM>. A detailed example of the in-vehicle device <NUM> is a battery.

The fifth connection line <NUM> connects the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> and the low-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> by bypassing the third connection line <NUM> and the fourth connection line <NUM>.

The path of the cooling water flowing through the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM>, the low-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM>, the first connection line <NUM>, the second connection line <NUM>, the third connection line <NUM>, the fourth connection line <NUM>, and the fifth connection line <NUM> can be switched by the switching unit <NUM>. In other words, the operation state (operation mode) of the air conditioning device <NUM> for the vehicle is switched by switching the cooling water flowing path.

The switching unit <NUM> is a valve device (switching valve) capable of switching the flow state of the cooling water between flow paths to which the switching unit <NUM> is connected. As shown in <FIG>, in this embodiment, each switching unit <NUM> is provided for each of a plurality of (eight) connection portions connecting each flow path. In these eight switching units <NUM>, the switching unit <NUM> provided at the connection portion on the side close to the cooler core <NUM> in two connection portions of the first connection line <NUM> and the second connection line <NUM> is a first valve device <NUM>.

The switching units <NUM> provided at two branch points between the heater core <NUM> and the cooler core <NUM> of the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> are respectively a second valve device <NUM> and a third valve device <NUM>. The third valve device <NUM> is provided at the branch point between the heater core <NUM> and the condenser <NUM> and on the installation side of the high-temperature heat medium pump <NUM>. The second valve device <NUM> is provided at the branch point between the cooler core <NUM> and the condenser <NUM> and on the non-installation side of the high-temperature heat medium pump <NUM>.

The switching unit <NUM> provided at the connection portion on the side close to the cooler core <NUM> in two connection portions of the third connection line <NUM> and the fourth connection line <NUM> is a fourth valve device <NUM>.

Similarly, the switching unit <NUM> provided at the connection portion on the side close to the second vehicle exterior heat exchanger <NUM> in two connection portions of the first connection line <NUM> and the second connection line <NUM> is a fifth valve device <NUM>.

The switching units <NUM> provided at two branch points between the first vehicle exterior heat exchanger <NUM> and the second vehicle exterior heat exchanger <NUM> of the low-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> are respectively a sixth valve device <NUM> and a seventh valve device <NUM>. The sixth valve device <NUM> is provided at the branch point between the first vehicle exterior heat exchanger <NUM> and the second vehicle exterior heat exchanger <NUM> and on the installation side of the low-temperature heat medium pump <NUM>. The seventh valve device <NUM> is provided at the branch point between the first vehicle exterior heat exchanger <NUM> and the second vehicle exterior heat exchanger <NUM> and on the non-installation side of the low-temperature heat medium pump <NUM>.

The switching unit <NUM> provided at the connection portion on the side close to the second vehicle exterior heat exchanger <NUM> in two connection portions of the third connection line <NUM> and the fourth connection line <NUM> is an eighth valve device <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the reference numerals attached in the vicinity of each switching unit <NUM> indicate the open state of each switching unit <NUM>. Hereinafter, a detailed configuration of the switching unit <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> and an example of the operation mode of the air conditioning device <NUM> for the vehicle will be described with reference to <FIG> according to the open state indicated by the reference numerals.

As shown in <FIG>, the switching unit <NUM> includes a plurality of (four) valve bodies <NUM>, a valve casing <NUM> which accommodates these valve bodies <NUM> and forms a plurality of (four) flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and an actuator <NUM> which drives the valve body <NUM>.

Each valve body <NUM> has a columnar shape extending along the axis O. Four valve bodies <NUM> are arranged in the valve casing <NUM> in the direction of the axis O. Each valve body <NUM> is driven by the actuator <NUM> to be movable in a reciprocating manner along the axis O in the valve casing <NUM> and rotatable around the axis O. That is, when the valve body <NUM> is moved in a reciprocating manner in the direction of the axis O, any one of four valve bodies <NUM> having different shapes can be selectively used. A detailed configuration of each valve body <NUM> will be described later.

The valve casing <NUM> is formed in a tubular shape which covers four valve bodies <NUM> from the outer peripheral side with respect to the axis O. Further, as shown in <FIG>, the valve casing <NUM> is provided with four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> which communicate with at least one of the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> and the low-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM>. The flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> radially extend at intervals of <NUM>° in the circumferential direction around the axis O. The positions of the flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in the direction of the axis O are the same as each other.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, four opening portions (first opening portions H1) which open in four directions at intervals of <NUM>° in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis O are formed at one (first valve body <NUM>) of four valve bodies <NUM>. Further, the pair of first opening portions H1 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction in these four first opening portions H1 communicates with each other by a first communication path C1 formed in the first valve body <NUM>. <FIG> schematically shows the shape of the first valve body <NUM> and corresponds to the reference numerals shown in <FIG>. For example, in the first valve device <NUM>, the second valve body <NUM> is selected and the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM>, the first connection line <NUM>, and the second connection line <NUM> are in the communication state by the posture of the second valve body <NUM>. In the following description, the type and posture of the valve body <NUM> selected in this way are indicated by the reference numerals in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, three opening portions (second opening portions H2) which open in three directions at intervals in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis O are formed at one (second valve body <NUM>) of four valve bodies <NUM>. Further, these three second opening portions H2 communicate with each other by a second communication path C2 formed in the second valve body <NUM>. Additionally, the circumferential gap between the second opening portions H2 is not constant. That is, the second communication path C2 has a T shape when viewed from the direction of the axis O. Thus, only any three flow paths of four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> communicate with each other by the second valve body <NUM>. <FIG> schematically shows the shape of the second valve body <NUM> and corresponds to the reference numerals shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, two opening portions (third opening portions H3) which open in two directions at intervals of <NUM>° in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis O are formed at one (third valve body <NUM>) of four valve bodies <NUM>. Further, these third opening portions H3 communicate with each other by a third communication path C3 formed in the third valve body <NUM>. Only any two flow paths of four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> communicate with each other by the third valve body <NUM>. <FIG> schematically shows the shape of the third valve body <NUM> and corresponds to the reference numerals shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, four opening portions (fourth opening portions H4) which open in four directions at intervals of <NUM>° in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis O are formed at one (fourth valve body <NUM>) of four valve bodies <NUM>. Further, the pair of fourth opening portions H4 located on both sides in the radial direction with respect to the axis O in these four fourth opening portions H4 communicates with each other by a fourth communication path C4 formed in each fourth valve body <NUM>. Two fourth communication paths C4 are respectively curved not to interfere with each other in the direction of the axis O in the fourth valve body <NUM>. Additionally, in <FIG>, in order to avoid complication of illustration, only one fourth communication path C4 is shown and the other fourth communication path C4 is not shown. Only any two flow paths of four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> communicate with each other by the fourth valve body <NUM>. <FIG> schematically shows the shape of the fourth valve body <NUM> and corresponds to the reference numerals shown in <FIG>.

Next, the operation of the "freezing mode" and the "defrosting drying mode" which is one of the operation modes of the air conditioning device <NUM> for the vehicle will be described with reference to <FIG>. Additionally, the flow paths of the refrigerant and the cooling water described below are realized by setting each switching unit <NUM> to the state shown by the reference numeral in <FIG>.

The freezing mode and the defrosting drying mode are also performed for the purpose of cleaning the vehicle interior side heat exchanger (the heater core <NUM> and the cooler core <NUM>). When cleaning, first, the moisture in the air is condensed and frozen on the surface of the cooler core <NUM> (the first vehicle interior heat exchanger) (<FIG>). Next, the surface of the cooler core <NUM> is washed by using the moisture melted by heating the cooler core <NUM> and is continuously further heated to perform the mode (defrosting drying mode) of drying the cooler core <NUM> and the freezing mode for the heater core <NUM> (the second vehicle interior heat exchanger) is performed (<FIG>). Then, the heater core <NUM> is heated to perform the defrosting drying mode (<FIG>). Hereinafter, the state of each drawing will be described.

In the state of <FIG>, only the low-temperature cooling water flowing through the low-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> flows into the cooler core <NUM> through the second connection line <NUM>. Accordingly, the moisture generated on the surface of the cooler core <NUM> is frozen. The heat medium flowing out of the cooler core <NUM> is returned to the low-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> through the fourth connection line <NUM>.

In the state of <FIG>, the low-temperature heat medium flowing through the low-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> flows into only the heater core <NUM> through the second connection line <NUM>. Accordingly, the moisture generated on the surface of the heater core <NUM> is frozen. On the other hand, at this time, a heat medium that has become hot due to heat exchange with the refrigerant in the condenser <NUM> flows into the cooler core <NUM>. Thus, the moisture frozen on the surface of the cooler core <NUM> is heated and melted (defrosted). Adhesions such as bacteria and dust captured with moisture during freezing are washed away with moisture during melting. After that, the cooler core <NUM> is dried by continuing heating. That is, this operation cleans the surface of the heater core <NUM> and suppresses the generation of bacteria and mold in accordance with drying.

Next, in the state of <FIG>, a heat medium that has become hot due to heat exchange with the refrigerant in the condenser <NUM> flows into the heater core <NUM>. Thus, the moisture frozen on the surface of the heater core <NUM> is heated and melted (defrosted). Adhesions such as bacteria and dust captured with moisture during freezing are washed away with moisture during melting. Then, the heater core <NUM> is continuously further heated to be dried. That is, the surface of the cooler core <NUM> is cleaned by this operation and the generation of bacteria and mold is suppressed in accordance with drying.

As described above, according to this embodiment, in the freezing mode, only the low-temperature heat medium is supplied from the low-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> to the heater core <NUM> or the cooler core <NUM> which is the vehicle interior heat exchanger. Accordingly, the moisture condensed on the surface of the heater core <NUM> or the cooler core <NUM> is frozen. At this time, the bacteria and mold had grown on the surface are frozen together with the moisture. Then, the cooling water that has become hot by the heat exchange with the refrigerant in the condenser <NUM> by performing the defrosting drying mode is supplied to the heater core <NUM> or the cooler core <NUM>. Accordingly, the frozen moisture is melted (defrosted). As a result, adhesions such as bacteria and dust captured with moisture during freezing can be washed away with moisture. After that, the heater core <NUM> or the cooler core <NUM> is dried by continuing heating. As a result, the generation of the bacteria and mold is suppressed. Thus, it is possible to perform a hygienic operation of the air conditioning device <NUM> for the vehicle for a longer period.

In addition, according to the above-described configuration, it is possible to switch the communication states of the plurality of flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> by moving the plurality of valve bodies <NUM> in a reciprocating manner in the direction of the axis O or rotating the valve casing around the axis O in the valve casing <NUM>. In particular, since a plurality of required valve devices (switching unit <NUM>) can be unified into only one configuration, the number of parts can be reduced. Further, it is possible to omit the step of selecting and installing an appropriate type from a plurality of types of valve devices at the time of manufacturing. As a result, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost or the maintenance cost.

According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to communicate a pair of adjacent flow paths of four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> through the first communication path C1 by the first valve body <NUM>. Further, it is possible to selectively communicate two flow paths of four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> by rotating the first valve body <NUM> around the axis O. Accordingly, it is possible to switch the communication states of the flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> with a high degree of freedom.

According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to communicate three flow paths of four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> through the second communication path C2 by the second valve body <NUM>. Further, it is possible to selectively communicate three flow paths of four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> by rotating the second valve body <NUM> around the axis O. Accordingly, it is possible to switch the communication states of the flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> with a high degree of freedom.

According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to communicate two flow paths of four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> through the third communication path C3 by the third valve body <NUM>. Further, it is possible to selectively communicate two flow paths of four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> by rotating the third valve body <NUM> around the axis O. Accordingly, it is possible to switch the communication states of the flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> with a high degree of freedom.

According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to communicate two flow paths located on both sides in the radial direction of four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> through the fourth communication path C4 by the fourth valve body <NUM>. Further, it is possible to selectively communicate two flow paths of four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> by rotating the fourth valve body <NUM> around the axis O. Accordingly, it is possible to switch the communication states of the flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> with a high degree of freedom.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. Additionally, the specific configuration is not limited to the above embodiments and includes design changes and the like within a range that does not deviate from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, it is possible to operate the air conditioning device <NUM> for the vehicle in other modes including not only the strong heating mode and the heating defrosting mode but also the cooling mode and the like by appropriately switching the state of each switching unit <NUM>.

Further, in the above-described embodiments, an example in which the freezing mode and the defrosting drying mode are sequentially performed by the pair of heater cores <NUM> has been described. However, these modes may be performed simultaneously by the pair of heater cores <NUM> or may be performed in the reverse order of the above-described embodiments.

The advantages of an air conditioning device <NUM> for the vehicle described above are discussed in the following.

According to the above-described configuration, in the freezing mode, only the low-temperature heat medium is supplied from the low-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> to the heater core <NUM> or the cooler core <NUM> which is the vehicle interior heat exchanger. Accordingly, the moisture condensed on the surface of the heater core <NUM> or the cooler core <NUM> is frozen. At this time, adhesions such as bacteria and mold had grown on the surface are frozen together with the moisture. Then, the heat medium that has become hot by the heat exchange with the refrigerant in the condenser <NUM> by performing the defrosting drying mode is supplied to the heater core <NUM> or the cooler core <NUM>. Accordingly, the frozen moisture is melted (defrosted). As a result, adhesions such as bacteria and dust captured with moisture during freezing are washed away with moisture and the surface of the heater core <NUM> or the cooler core <NUM> is dried. That is, the surface of the heater core <NUM> or the cooler core <NUM> is cleaned by this operation and the generation of bacteria and mold is suppressed in accordance with drying.

According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to clean at least one of the first and second vehicle interior heat exchangers (the cooler core <NUM> and the heater core <NUM>) by operating the air conditioning device in the freezing mode.

According to the above-described configuration, adhesions such as bacteria and dust captured with moisture during freezing are washed away with moisture during melting. By this operation, the surface of the vehicle interior heat exchanger can be cleaned.

According to the above-described configuration, adhesions such as bacteria and dust captured with moisture on the surface of the vehicle interior heat exchanger during the operation in the freezing mode are washed away with the moisture by the operation in the defrosting mode. Further, when the heating is continued in the drying mode, the surface of the vehicle interior heat exchanger is dried. In this way, it is possible to suppress the generation of bacteria and mold by drying the surface.

According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to switch the communication states of the plurality of flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> by moving the plurality of valve bodies <NUM> in a reciprocating manner in the direction of the axis O or rotating the plurality of valve bodies around the axis O in the valve casing <NUM>. In particular, a plurality of required valve devices can be unified into only one configuration. Furthermore, since it is possible to easily increase the number of connection points, it is possible to ensure the expandability of the device. Further, it is possible to omit the step of selecting and installing an appropriate type from a plurality of types of valve devices at the time of manufacturing. As a result, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost or the maintenance cost.

According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to communicate a pair of adjacent flow paths of four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> through the first communication path C1. Further, it is possible to selectively communicate two flow paths of four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> by rotating the first valve body <NUM> around the axis O. Accordingly, it is possible to switch the communication states of the flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> with a high degree of freedom.

According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to communicate three flow paths of four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> through the second communication path C2. Further, it is possible to selectively communicate three flow paths of four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> by rotating the second valve body <NUM> around the axis O. Accordingly, it is possible to switch the communication states of the flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> with a high degree of freedom.

According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to communicate two flow paths of four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> through the third communication path C3. Further, it is possible to selectively communicate two flow paths of four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> by rotating the third valve body <NUM> around the axis O. Accordingly, it is possible to switch the communication states of the flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> with a high degree of freedom.

According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to communicate two flow paths located on both sides in the radial direction of four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> through the fourth communication path C4. Further, it is possible to selectively communicate two flow paths of four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> by rotating the fourth valve body <NUM> around the axis O. Accordingly, it is possible to switch the communication states of the flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> with a high degree of freedom.

Claim 1:
An air conditioning device (<NUM>) for a vehicle comprising:
a refrigeration cycle (<NUM>) including a compressor (<NUM>), a condenser (<NUM>), an expansion valve (<NUM>), and an evaporator (<NUM>) through which a refrigerant is sequentially flowed;
a high-temperature heat medium circuit (<NUM>) through which a high-temperature heat medium has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the condenser (<NUM>) is circulated;
a low-temperature heat medium circuit (<NUM>) through which a low-temperature heat medium has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the evaporator (<NUM>) is circulated;
connection lines (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) connecting the high-temperature heat medium circuit (<NUM>) to the low-temperature heat medium circuit (<NUM>);
first and second vehicle interior heat exchangers (<NUM>, <NUM>) which are allowed to be introduced the heat medium thereinto; and
a switching unit (<NUM>) which is configured to switch an operation state of the air conditioning device (<NUM>) to a first mode allowing to connect one of the vehicle interior heat exchangers (<NUM>, <NUM>) to only the low-temperature heat medium circuit via the connection lines (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), in which the low-temperature heat medium is supplied to only the vehicle interior heat exchanger (<NUM>, <NUM>) connected to the low-temperature heat medium circuit, to cause freezing of moisture generated on a surface of the vehicle interior heat exchanger (<NUM>, <NUM>).