Patent Description:
This application claims the right of priority based on <CIT>.

As an example of an air conditioning device for a vehicle that is mounted on a vehicle that includes an automobile or a truck, an air conditioning device described in <CIT> below is known. The device described in <CIT> has a compressor, an expansion valve, an evaporator (a heat medium cooler), and a condenser (a heat medium heater), and also includes a refrigerating cycle in which a refrigerant circulates, a first heat medium circuit that supplies a low-temperature heat medium to the evaporator to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat medium, and a second heat medium circuit that supplies a high-temperature heat medium to a cooling water heater to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat medium.

That is, each of the heat medium circuits is an independent circulation path with respect to the refrigerating cycle. In this way, it is said that it is possible to perform heat management of a vehicle while completing the refrigerating cycle outside a vehicle interior.

Incidentally, during an operation of the air conditioning device for a vehicle connected to a vehicle-exterior heat exchanger that performs heat exchanges between the heat medium and outside air (air outside the vehicle interior), in a case where the outside air temperature is equal to or higher than the freezing point and the temperature of the heat medium flowing in a radiator is equal to or lower than the freezing point, there is a case where moisture in the air condensed on the surface of the vehicle-exterior heat exchanger freezes and frost adheres (frost formation occurs). If the frost formation progresses, there is a concern that the ventilation performance of the radiator may be impaired. Therefore, in the device of <CIT>, a configuration is adopted in which in a case where the frost formation occurs, the frost is removed by supplying cooling water having a high temperature to the radiator.

<CIT> discloses an air conditioning device with the pre-characterizing features of claim <NUM>.

However, if a high-temperature heat medium is supplied to the radiator, the temperature of the heat medium becomes higher than the outside air temperature, so that heat cannot be absorbed from the outside air. In this way, there is a concern that heating operation by a heat pump cycle may not become possible.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problem, and has an object to provide an air conditioning device for a vehicle in which it is possible to achieve both defrosting and heating operation. Solution to Problem.

This object is solved by an air conditioning device with the features of claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments follow from the other claims.

An air conditioning device for a vehicle according to the present invention includes: a refrigerating cycle having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator through which a refrigerant sequentially flows; a high-temperature heat medium circuit in which a high-temperature heat medium that has been heat-exchanged with the refrigerant in the condenser circulates; a low-temperature heat medium circuit in which a low-temperature heat medium that has been heat-exchanged with the refrigerant in the evaporator circulates; a connection line that connects the high-temperature heat medium circuit and the low-temperature heat medium circuit; a plurality of vehicle-exterior heat exchangers into which the heat medium is capable of being introduced; and a switching part capable of switching, for each of the plurality of vehicle-exterior heat exchangers, between a mode of connecting to the high-temperature heat medium circuit, a mode of connecting to the low-temperature heat medium circuit, and a mode of not connecting to any of the high-temperature heat medium circuit and the low-temperature heat medium circuit.

According to the air conditioning device for a vehicle of the present invention, it is possible to achieve both defrosting and heating operation.

Hereinafter, an air conditioning device for a vehicle <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to <FIG>. The air conditioning device for a vehicle <NUM> is mounted on a transport machine (vehicle) such as an automobile or a truck. That is, a temperature difference between the inside and outside of a vehicle is adjusted by the air conditioning device for a vehicle <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the air conditioning device for a vehicle <NUM> includes a refrigerating 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 part <NUM>. In <FIG>, a pipe in an open state is shown by a solid line, and a pipe in a closed state is shown by a broken line.

The refrigerating cycle <NUM> has a refrigerant line <NUM> which is a pipe for causing a refrigerant to flow, and a compressor <NUM>, a condenser <NUM>, an expansion valve <NUM>, and an evaporator <NUM> disposed on the refrigerant line <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, in a case where the refrigerating cycle <NUM> is operated, the refrigerant also passes through the devices in this order.

The compressor <NUM> pumps the refrigerant in the refrigerant line <NUM>. In this way, the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant after passing through the compressor <NUM> rise as compared with the refrigerant before passing through the compressor <NUM>. The condenser <NUM> performs heat exchange between the refrigerant that has flowed into the condenser <NUM> and a heat medium (described later) that flows through the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM>. The expansion valve <NUM> sharply lowers a temperature by reducing the pressure of the refrigerant passing through the expansion valve <NUM>. The evaporator <NUM> performs heat exchange between the refrigerant that has flowed into the evaporator <NUM> and a heat medium (described later) that flows through the low-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM>.

The high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> has a high-temperature heat medium line <NUM> that introduces cooling water into the condenser <NUM>, a heater core <NUM> and a cooler core <NUM> that are disposed in parallel with each other on the high-temperature heat medium line <NUM>, and a high-temperature heat medium pump <NUM> that pumps the heat medium. That is, the heat medium flowing out from the condenser <NUM> can be branched and flow toward each of the heater core <NUM> and the cooler core <NUM>. The heater core <NUM> and the cooler core <NUM> are heat exchangers that are disposed on the indoor side of the vehicle. The heater core <NUM> and the cooler core <NUM> perform heat exchange between indoor air and outdoor air, and the heat medium. During heating operation, air is first cooled by the cooler core <NUM> to remove moisture, and then the air is heated by the heater core <NUM>. In this way, operation to raise room temperature can be performed while suppressing a rise in humidity in the room.

The low-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> has a low-temperature heat medium line <NUM> that introduces the heat medium into the evaporator <NUM>, a first vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM> and a second vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM> that are disposed in parallel with each other on the low-temperature heat medium line <NUM>, and a low-temperature heat medium pump <NUM> that pumps the heat medium. That is, the heat medium flowing out from the evaporator <NUM> can be branched and flow into 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 that are disposed on the outdoor side of the vehicle. The first vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM> and the second vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM> perform heat exchange between the outdoor air and the heat medium.

The first connection line <NUM> and the second connection line <NUM> are pipes connecting the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> and 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 in parallel with 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> according to an operation state (an operation mode) of the air conditioning device for a vehicle <NUM>.

The third connection line <NUM> and the fourth connection line <NUM> are pipes connecting the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> and 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 in parallel with 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>, according to the operation state (the operation mode) of the air conditioning device for a vehicle <NUM>. Further, in the present embodiment, in-vehicle equipment <NUM>, which is auxiliary equipment of the vehicle, is disposed only on the third connection line <NUM>. As an example of the in-vehicle equipment <NUM>, specifically, a battery can be given.

The passage 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>, and the fourth connection line <NUM> can be switched by the switching part <NUM>. In other words, the operating state (the operation mode) of the air conditioning device for a vehicle <NUM> can be switched by switching the flow passage of the cooling water.

The switching part <NUM> is a valve device (a switching valve) capable of switching the flow state of the heat medium between a plurality of flow paths to which the switching part <NUM> is connected. As shown in <FIG>, in the present embodiment, one switching part <NUM> is provided for each of a plurality of (eight) connecting portions connecting the flow paths. Among these eight switching parts <NUM>, the switching part <NUM> provided in the connecting portion on the side close to the cooler core <NUM>, out of two connecting portions of the first connection line <NUM> and the second connection line <NUM>, is regarded as a first valve device <NUM>.

The switching parts <NUM> provided at two branch points between the heater core <NUM> and the cooler core <NUM> in the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> are regarded as a second valve device <NUM> and a third valve device <NUM>, respectively. The third valve device <NUM> is provided at the branch point on the side where the high-temperature heat medium pump <NUM> is provided, between the cooler core <NUM> and the condenser <NUM>. The second valve device <NUM> is provided at the branch point on the side where the high-temperature heat medium pump <NUM> is not provided, between the cooler core <NUM> and the condenser <NUM>.

The switching part <NUM> provided in the connecting portion on the side close to the cooler core <NUM>, out of the two connecting portions of the third connection line <NUM> and the fourth connection line <NUM>, is regarded as a fourth valve device <NUM>.

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

The switching parts <NUM> provided at two branch points between the first vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM> and the second vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM> in the low-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> are regarded as a sixth valve device <NUM> and a seventh valve device <NUM>, respectively. The sixth valve device <NUM> is provided at the branch point on the side where the low-temperature heat medium pump <NUM> is provided, between the first vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM> and the second vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM>. The seventh valve device <NUM> is provided at the branch point on the side where the low-temperature heat medium pump <NUM> is not provided, between the first vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM> and the second vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM>.

The switching part <NUM> provided in the connecting portion on the side close to the second vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM>, out of the two connecting portions of the third connection line <NUM> and the fourth connection line <NUM>, is regarded as an eighth valve device <NUM>.

In <FIG>, a symbol attached in the vicinity of each switching part <NUM> indicates the open state of each switching part <NUM>. Hereinafter, the specific configuration of the switching part <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>, and an example of the operation mode of the air conditioning device for a vehicle <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> according to the open state represented by each symbol.

As shown in <FIG>, the switching part <NUM> has a plurality of (four) valve bodies <NUM>, a valve casing <NUM> that accommodates the valve bodies <NUM> and is formed with a plurality of (four) flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and an actuator <NUM> that drives the valve bodies <NUM>.

Each valve body <NUM> has a columnar shape extending along an axis O. In the valve casing <NUM>, the four valve bodies <NUM> are arranged in the direction of the axis O. Each valve body <NUM> is driven by the actuator <NUM>, whereby each valve body <NUM> can advance and retreat along the axis O in the valve casing <NUM> and can rotate around the axis O. That is, by advancing and retreating the valve bodies <NUM> in the direction of the axis O, it becomes possible to selectively use any one of the four valve bodies <NUM> having different shapes. The detailed configuration of each valve body <NUM> will be described later.

The valve casing <NUM> has a tubular shape that covers the four valve bodies <NUM> from the outer periphery side with respect to the axis O. Further, as shown in <FIG>, the valve casing <NUM> is formed with the four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> communicating with at least one of the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> and the low-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> described above. Each of the flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> extends radially at an interval of <NUM>° in a circumferential direction with the axis O as the center. The positions of the flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in the direction of the axis O are equal to each other.

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

As shown in <FIG>, one (the second valve body <NUM>) of the four valve bodies <NUM> is formed with three opening portions (second opening portions H2) which are open in three directions at intervals in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis O. Further, the three second opening portions H2 communicate with each other by a second communication passage C2 formed inside the second valve body <NUM>. The interval between the second opening portions H2 in the circumferential direction is not uniform. That is, the second communication passage C2 has a T-shape when viewed from the direction of the axis O. Therefore, a state is created where only any three flow paths among the 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 symbol shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, one (a third valve body <NUM>) of the four valve bodies <NUM> is formed with two opening portions (third opening portions H3) which are open in two directions at an interval of <NUM>° in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis O. Further, the third opening portions H3 communicate with each other by a third communication passage C3 formed inside the third valve body <NUM>. A state is created where only any two flow paths among the 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 symbol shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, one (a fourth valve body <NUM>) of the four valve bodies <NUM> is formed with four opening portions (fourth opening portions H4) which are open in four directions at an interval of <NUM>° in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis O. Further, a pair of fourth opening portions H4 located on both sides in a radial direction with respect to the axis O, among the four fourth opening portions H4, communicate with each other by a fourth communication passage C4 formed inside the fourth valve body <NUM>. The two fourth communication passages C4 are curved inside the fourth valve body <NUM> so as not to interfere with each other in the direction of the axis O. In <FIG>, in order to avoid complication of the illustration, only one fourth communication passage C4 is shown and the illustration of the other fourth communication passage C4 is omitted. A state is created where only any two flow paths among the 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 symbol shown in <FIG>.

Next, an operation in the "pure heating mode", which is one of the operation modes of the air conditioning device for a vehicle <NUM>, will be described with reference to <FIG>. The flow passages of the refrigerant and the heat medium which are described below are realized by making each switching part <NUM> be in the state shown by the symbol in <FIG>.

In the case of this mode, in the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM>, the heat medium circulates from the high-temperature heat medium pump <NUM> toward the condenser <NUM> through the heater core <NUM>. In the refrigerating cycle <NUM>, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant in the refrigerant line <NUM> and the heat medium in the high-temperature heat medium line <NUM>. That is, the heat medium is heated by absorbing heat from the refrigerant in the condenser <NUM>. The heat of the heated heat medium is radiated from the heater core <NUM> and sent as air blast into the room by an indoor fan (not shown) disposed in the vicinity of the cooler core <NUM>.

Further, at this time, in the low-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM>, the heat medium that has been heat-exchanged with the refrigerant in the evaporator <NUM> is introduced to both of the two vehicle-exterior heat exchangers (the first vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM> and the second vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM>). That is, the refrigerant is heated by absorbing heat from the heat medium in the evaporator <NUM>. The heat of the heated refrigerant is delivered to the heat medium flowing in the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> in the above-mentioned condenser <NUM> through the refrigerating cycle <NUM> (the refrigerant line <NUM>). In this manner, in the pure heating mode, heat exchange is promoted by introducing the heat medium into both of the two vehicle-exterior heat exchangers (the first vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM> and the second vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM>), and thus the heating performance can be improved.

Next, an operation in the "heating and defrosting mode", which is one of the operation modes of the air conditioning device for a vehicle <NUM>, will be described with reference to <FIG>. The flow passages of the refrigerant and the heat medium which are described below are realized by making each switching part <NUM> be in the state shown by the symbol in <FIG>.

In the case of this mode, in the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM>, similar to the pure heating mode, the heat medium circulates from the high-temperature heat medium pump <NUM> toward the condenser <NUM> through the heater core <NUM>. In the refrigerating cycle <NUM>, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant in the refrigerant line <NUM> and the heat medium in the high-temperature heat medium line <NUM>. That is, the heat medium is heated by absorbing heat from the refrigerant in the condenser <NUM>. The heat of the heated cooling water is radiated from the heater core <NUM> and sent as air blast into the room by an indoor fan (not shown) disposed in the vicinity of the cooler core <NUM>.

On the other hand, in the low-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM>, the low-temperature heat medium that has been heat-exchanged with the refrigerant in the evaporator <NUM> is introduced into only the vehicle-exterior heat exchanger on one side (the second vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM>). At this time, similar to the heating mode described above, the refrigerant is heated by absorbing heat from the low-temperature heat medium in the evaporator <NUM>. The heat of the heated refrigerant is delivered to the heat medium flowing in the high-temperature heat medium circuit in the above-mentioned condenser <NUM> through the refrigerating cycle <NUM> (the refrigerant line <NUM>). Further, the (remaining) vehicle-exterior heat exchanger on the other side (the first vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM>) is connected to the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> by the above-mentioned second connection line <NUM> and fourth connection line <NUM>. In this way, the heat medium having a relatively high temperature, which flows through the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM>, flows into the first vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM> through the fourth connection line <NUM>. In a case where frost is stuck to the surface of the first vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM> (in a case where frost is formed), the first vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM> is heated by the high-temperature heat medium, so that the frost is removed. Thereafter, the high-temperature heat medium is returned to the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> through the second connection line <NUM>.

By adopting the passage shown in <FIG>, contrary to the above, it is also possible to perform heating in the first vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM> and perform defrosting in the second vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM>. In this manner, in the heating and defrosting mode, it is possible to perform the defrosting in one of the first vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM> and the second vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM> and simultaneously perform the heating in the other.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the pure heating mode, by introducing the heat medium into both the first and second vehicle-exterior heat exchangers <NUM> and <NUM>, it is possible to improve the heating performance as compared with, for example, a configuration in which only one vehicle-exterior heat exchanger is provided. Further, in the heating and defrosting mode, the heat medium is introduced into only one of the vehicle-exterior heat exchangers, and the remaining vehicle-exterior heat exchanger is in a state of being connected to the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM>. Here, the heat medium flowing through the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> has a temperature that is relatively high compared to the heat medium flowing through the low-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> and the remaining vehicle-exterior heat exchanger and is higher than the freezing point of water. Therefore, in a case where frost is formed on the remaining vehicle-exterior heat exchanger, it is possible to perform defrosting with the high-temperature heat medium. In this manner, it is possible to achieve both the heating operation by the vehicle-exterior heat exchanger on one side and the defrosting by the vehicle-exterior heat exchanger on the other side.

Further, according to the above configuration, the heating performance can be further improved because the temperature of the heat medium that is introduced into all the vehicle-exterior heat exchangers is lower than the outside air temperature.

Further, according to the above configuration, it is possible to more quickly and efficiently perform defrosting in the remaining vehicle-exterior heat exchanger because the temperature of the heat medium that is introduced into the remaining vehicle-exterior heat exchanger is higher than the outside air temperature and higher than the freezing point of water.

In addition, according to the above configuration, by advancing and retreating the plurality of valve bodies <NUM> in the direction of the axis O in the valve casing <NUM> or rotating the valve bodies <NUM> around the axis O, it is possible to switch between the communication states of the plurality of flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. In particular, the valve devices (the switching parts <NUM>) that are required to be a plurality can be unified into only one configuration. Further, since the number of connection points can be easily increased, the expandability of the device can be secured. Further, it is possible to omit a step of selecting and mounting an appropriate type from a plurality of types of valve devices at the time of manufacturing. As a result, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs or maintenance costs.

According to the above configuration, by the first valve body <NUM>, it is possible to make a pair of flow paths adjacent to each other, among the four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, communicate with each other by the first communication passage C1. Further, by rotating the first valve body <NUM> around the axis O, it is possible to selectively make two flow paths among the four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> communicate with each other. In this way, it is possible to switch between the communication states of the flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> with a high degree of freedom.

According to the above configuration, by the second valve body <NUM>, it is possible to make three flow paths among the four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> communicate with each other by the second communication passage C2. Further, by rotating the second valve body <NUM> around the axis O, it is possible to selectively make three flow paths among the four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> communicate with each other. In this way, it is possible to switch between the communication states of the flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> with a high degree of freedom.

According to the above configuration, by the third valve body <NUM>, it is possible to make two flow paths among the four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> communicate with each other by the third communication passage C3. Further, by rotating the third valve body <NUM> around the axis O, it is possible to selectively make two flow paths among the four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> communicate with each other. In this way, it is possible to switch between the communication states of the flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> with a high degree of freedom.

According to the above configuration, by the fourth valve body <NUM>, it is possible to make two flow paths located on both sides in the radial direction, among the four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, communicate with each other by the fourth communication passage C4. Further, by rotating the fourth valve body <NUM> around the axis O, it is possible to selectively make two flow paths among the four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> communicate with each other. In this way, it is possible to switch between the communication states of the flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> with a high degree of freedom.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings. The specific configuration is not limited to the above embodiment, and also includes design changes or the like within a scope of the present invention. For example, in the air conditioning device for a vehicle <NUM> described above, by appropriately switching the state of each switching part <NUM>, it is possible to perform operation not only in the pure heating mode and the heating and defrosting mode but also in other modes including a cooling mode and the like.

The air conditioning device for a vehicle in each embodiment is grasped as follows, for example.

According to the above configuration, in the pure heating mode, by introducing cooling water into both the first and second vehicle-exterior heat exchangers <NUM> and <NUM>, it is possible to improve the heating performance as compared with, for example, a configuration in which only one vehicle-exterior heat exchanger is provided. Further, in the heating and defrosting mode, a low-temperature heat medium is introduced into only one of the vehicle-exterior heat exchangers <NUM> and <NUM>, and the remaining vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM> or <NUM> is in a state of being connected to the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM>. Here, a high-temperature heat medium flowing through the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> has a temperature that is relatively high compared to the low-temperature heat medium flowing through the low-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> and the remaining vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM> or <NUM>. Therefore, in a case where frost is formed on the remaining vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM> or <NUM>, it is possible to perform the defrosting with the high-temperature heat medium. In this manner, according to the above configuration, it is possible to achieve both the heating operation by one vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM> or <NUM> and the defrosting by the other vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM> or <NUM>.

(<NUM>) In the air conditioning device for a vehicle <NUM> according to a second aspect, the refrigerating cycle <NUM> adjusts, in the pure heating mode, the temperature of the refrigerant so as to create a state where the temperature of the heat medium that performs heat exchange with the refrigerant in both the vehicle-exterior heat exchangers <NUM> and <NUM> is lower than an outside air temperature.

According to the above configuration, the heating performance can be further improved because the temperature of the heat medium that is introduced into both the vehicle-exterior heat exchangers <NUM> and <NUM> is lower than the outside air temperature.

(<NUM>) In the air conditioning device for a vehicle <NUM> according to a third aspect, the refrigerating cycle <NUM> adjusts, in the heating and defrosting mode, the temperature of the refrigerant so as to create a state where the temperature of the heat medium that performs heat exchange with the refrigerant in the remaining vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM> or <NUM> is higher than the freezing point of water.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to more quickly and efficiently perform the defrosting in the remaining vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM> or <NUM> because the temperature of the heat medium that is introduced into the remaining vehicle-exterior heat exchanger <NUM> or <NUM> is higher than the freezing point of water.

(<NUM>) In the air conditioning device for a vehicle <NUM> according to a fourth aspect, the switching part <NUM> is a plurality of valve devices capable of changing the flow states in the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> and the low-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM>, and includes the plurality of valve bodies <NUM>, each of which has a columnar shape centered on the axis O, and which are arranged in the direction of the axis O and are rotatable around the axis O, the valve casing <NUM> that covers the plurality of valve bodies and is provided with the four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> that communicate with at least one of the high-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM> and the low-temperature heat medium circuit <NUM>, and the actuator <NUM> that advances and retreats the plurality of valve bodies <NUM> in the direction of the axis O in the valve casing <NUM> and rotates the plurality of valve bodies <NUM> around the axis O.

According to the above configuration, by advancing and retreating the plurality of valve bodies <NUM> in the direction of the axis O in the valve casing <NUM> or rotating the valve bodies <NUM> around the axis O, it is possible to switch between the communication states of the plurality of flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. In particular, the valve devices that are required to be a plurality can be unified into only one configuration. Further, since the number of connection points can be easily increased, the expandability of the device can be secured. Further, it is possible to omit a step of selecting and mounting an appropriate type from a plurality of types of valve devices at the time of manufacturing. As a result, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs or maintenance costs.

(<NUM>) In the air conditioning device for a vehicle <NUM> according to a fifth aspect, one of the plurality of valve bodies <NUM> is the first valve body <NUM> in which the first opening portions H1 that are open in four directions at intervals in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis O are formed and the first communication passage C1 making a pair of the first opening portions H1 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction communicate with each other inside the valve body <NUM> is formed.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to make a pair of flow paths adjacent to each other, among the four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, communicate with each other by the first communication passage C1. Further, by rotating the first valve body <NUM> around the axis O, it is possible to selectively make two flow paths among the four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> communicate with each other. In this way, it is possible to switch between the communication states of the flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> with a high degree of freedom.

(<NUM>) In the air conditioning device for a vehicle <NUM> according to a sixth aspect, one of the plurality of valve bodies <NUM> is the second valve body <NUM> in which the second opening portions H2 that are open in three directions at intervals in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis O are formed and the second communication passage C2 making the three second opening portions H2 communicate with each other inside the valve body <NUM> is formed.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to make three flow paths among the four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> communicate with each other by the second communication passage C2. Further, by rotating the second valve body <NUM> around the axis O, it is possible to selectively make three flow paths among the four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> communicate with each other. In this way, it is possible to switch between the communication states of the flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> with a high degree of freedom.

(<NUM>) In the air conditioning device for a vehicle <NUM> according to a seventh aspect, one of the plurality of valve bodies <NUM> is the third valve body <NUM> in which the third opening portions H3 that are open in two directions at an interval in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis O are formed and the third communication passage C3 making the two third opening portions H3 communicate with each other inside the valve body <NUM> is formed.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to make two flow paths among the four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> communicate with each other by the third communication passage C3. Further, by rotating the third valve body <NUM> around the axis O, it is possible to selectively make two flow paths among the four flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> communicate with each other. In this way, it is possible to switch between the communication states of the flow paths <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> with a high degree of freedom.

(<NUM>) In the air conditioning device for a vehicle <NUM> according to an eighth aspect, one of the plurality of valve bodies <NUM> is the fourth valve body <NUM> in which the fourth opening portions H4 that are open in four directions at intervals in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis O are formed and the fourth communication passage C4 making a pair of the fourth opening portions H4 located on both sides in the radial direction with respect to the axis O communicate with each other inside the valve body is formed.

Claim 1:
An air conditioning device (<NUM>) for a vehicle comprising:
a refrigerating cycle (<NUM>) having a compressor (<NUM>), a condenser (<NUM>), an expansion valve (<NUM>), and an evaporator (<NUM>) through which a refrigerant sequentially flows;
a high-temperature heat medium circuit (<NUM>) in which a high-temperature heat medium that has been heat-exchanged with the refrigerant in the condenser (<NUM>) circulates;
a low-temperature heat medium circuit (<NUM>) in which a low-temperature heat medium that has been heat-exchanged with the refrigerant in the evaporator (<NUM>) circulates;
connection lines (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>) that connects the high-temperature heat medium circuit (<NUM>) and the low-temperature heat medium circuit (<NUM>); and
first and second vehicle-exterior heat exchangers (<NUM>,<NUM>) included in the low-temperature heat medium circuit (<NUM>) and into which the heat medium is capable of being introduced;
characterized in that
a switching part (<NUM>) is capable of performing a mode of one of the first and second vehicle-exterior heat exchangers (<NUM>,<NUM>) being connected to the high-temperature heat medium circuit (<NUM>) via the connection lines (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>), in which the high-temperature heat medium flows through the vehicle-exterior heat exchanger connected to the high-temperature heat medium circuit (<NUM>), and the low-temperature heat medium flows through only the other of the first and second vehicle-exterior heat exchangers (<NUM>,<NUM>) in the low-temperature heat medium circuit (<NUM>).