Air conditioner for vehicle

• US 10,457,117 B2
• Filed: 11/28/2014
• Issued: 10/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Enomoto, Norihiko, Kakehashi, Nobuharu, Katoh, Yoshiki, Kuwayama, Kazutoshi, Makihara, Masamichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Nieves, Nelson J
• Application Number:
  US15/107,149
• Publication Number:
  US 20170028813A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,796 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00278 for the battery arrangement of batteries B60R16/04
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00899 Controlling the flow of liquid in a heat pump system controlling the properties of the refrigerant liquid, e.g. pressure or temperature, B60H1/3204
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/08 from other radiator than main radiator
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/24 Devices purely for ventilating or where the heating or cooling is irrelevant nozzles, air-diffusers B60H1/34
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/32284 comprising two or more secondary circuits, e.g. at evaporator and condenser side
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/00307 Component temperature regulation using a liquid flow
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/00928 comprising a secondary circuit

Abstract

An air conditioner for a vehicle including a pump that takes in and discharges a heat medium, a heat medium/air heat exchanger which regulates a temperature of ventilation air by conducting sensible-heat exchange between the ventilation air and the heat medium circulated by the pump, a heat transfer device having a passage through which the heat medium flows and conducts heat transfer with the heat medium, a compressor, a heat medium/refrigerant heat exchanger which regulates the temperature of the heat medium, and a controller which regulates a heat transfer amount with the heat medium in the heat transfer device or heat exchange capability of the heat medium/air heat exchanger such that a temperature of the ventilation air regulated by the heat medium/air heat exchanger approaches a target temperature.

Claims

1. An air conditioner for a vehicle, comprising:

a pump configured to take in and discharge a heat medium;

a heat medium/air heat exchanger that regulates a temperature of ventilation air blown into a vehicle interior by conducting sensible-heat exchange between the ventilation air and the heat medium circulated by the pump;

a heat transfer device having a passage through which the heat medium flows and configured to conduct heat transfer with the heat medium circulated by the pump;

a compressor disposed to take in and discharge a refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle;

a heat medium/refrigerant heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between the heat medium circulated by the pump and the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle to regulate a temperature of the heat medium circulated by the pump; and

a controller configured to control a heat transfer amount with the heat medium in the heat transfer device or heat exchange capability of the heat medium/air heat exchanger such that a temperature of the ventilation air regulated by the heat medium/air heat exchanger approaches a first target temperature, wherein

the heat medium/refrigerant heat exchanger is disposed to heat the heat medium by performing heat exchange between the refrigerant discharged by the compressor and the heat medium,

the heat medium/air heat exchanger is disposed to heat the ventilation air by conducting sensible-heat exchange between the heat medium heated in the heat medium/refrigerant heat exchanger and the ventilation air, and

the controller is configured to

regulate a flow rate of the heat medium in at least one of the heat medium/air heat exchanger and the heat transfer device, and

regulate one of a flow rate of the refrigerant or the flow rate of the heat mediums such that the temperature of the ventilation air approaches the first target temperature, and regulate the other one of the flow rate of the refrigerant or the flow rate of the heat medium such that a temperature of the heat transfer device approaches a second target temperature,

when the first target temperature is higher than the second target temperature, the controller regulates the flow rate of the refrigerant such that the temperature of the ventilation air heated in the heat medium/air heat exchanger approaches the first target temperature, and the controller regulates the flow rate of the heat medium such that the temperature of the heat transfer device approaches the second target temperature, and

when the second target temperature is higher than the first target temperature, the controller regulates the flow rate of the refrigerant such that the temperature of the heat transfer device approaches the second target temperature, and the controller regulates the flow rate of the heat medium such that the temperature of the ventilation air heated in the heat medium/air heat exchanger approaches the first target temperature.

2. The air conditioner for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the controller regulates the amount of the heat transfer with the heat medium in the heat transfer device by regulating the flow rate of the heat medium in the heat transfer device.

3. The air conditioner for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein

the heat transfer device is a heat generating device, and

the controller regulates the amount of the heat transfer with the heat medium in the heat transfer device by regulating a heat generating amount of the heat generating device.

4. The air conditioner for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the controller regulates the heat exchange capability of the heat medium/air heat exchanger by regulating the flow rate of the heat medium in the heat medium/air heat exchanger.

5. The air conditioner for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the controller regulates the heat exchange capability of the heat medium/air heat exchanger by regulating an air volume of the ventilation air in the heat medium/air heat exchanger.

6. The air conditioner for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the controller regulates the flow rate of the refrigerant such that the temperature of the ventilation air approaches the first target temperature, and

the controller regulates the flow rate of the heat medium such that the temperature of the heat transfer device approaches the second target temperature.

7. The air conditioner for a vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

an air-cooling heat exchanger disposed to cool the ventilation air;

an air-heating heat exchanger disposed to heat the ventilation air, wherein the heat medium/air heat exchanger is the air-cooling heat exchanger or the air-heating heat exchanger; and

an air volume ratio adjuster configured to adjust a volume ratio of a first portion of the ventilation air flowing in the air-heating heat exchanger to a second portion of the ventilation air by passing the air-heating heat exchanger among the ventilation air cooled in the air-cooling heat exchanger such that the temperature of the ventilation air regulated by at least one of the air-cooling heat exchanger and the air-heating heat exchanger and blown into the vehicle interior approaches a third target temperature.

8. The air conditioner for a vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

an air-cooling heat exchanger disposed to cool the ventilation air;

an air-heating heat exchanger disposed to heat the ventilation air, wherein the heat medium/air heat exchanger is the air-cooling heat exchanger or the air-heating heat exchanger; and

an air volume controller configured to control an air volume of the ventilation air such that the temperature of the ventilation air regulated by at least one of the air-cooling heat exchanger and the air-heating heat exchanger and blown into the vehicle interior approaches a third target temperature.

9. The air conditioner for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the heat transfer device is a rear seat heat exchanger disposed to conduct sensible-heat exchange between the heat medium and the ventilation air to be blown into a rear-seat occupant.

10. The air conditioner for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the heat transfer device is a battery temperature regulation heat exchanger disposed to regulate a temperature of a battery equipped in the vehicle by conducting sensible-heat exchange between the battery and the heat medium.

11. An air conditioner for a vehicle, comprising:

a pump configured to take in and discharge a heat medium;

a heat medium/air heat exchanger that regulates a temperature of ventilation air blown into a vehicle interior by conducting sensible-heat exchange between the ventilation air and the heat medium circulated by the pump;

a heat transfer device having a passage through which the heat medium flows and configured to conduct heat transfer with the heat medium circulated by the pump;

a compressor disposed to take in and discharge a refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle;

a heat medium/refrigerant heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between the heat medium circulated by the pump and the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle to regulate a temperature of the heat medium circulated by the pump; and

a controller configured to control a heat transfer amount with the heat medium in the heat transfer device or heat exchange capability of the heat medium/air heat exchanger such that a temperature of the ventilation air regulated by the heat medium/air heat exchanger approaches a first target temperature, wherein

the heat medium/refrigerant heat exchanger is disposed to cool the heat medium by performing heat exchange between the refrigerant decompressed and expanded in a decompression device and the heat medium,

the heat medium/air heat exchanger is disposed to cool the ventilation air by conducting sensible-heat exchange between the heat medium cooled in the heat medium/refrigerant heat exchanger and the ventilation air, and

the controller is configured to

regulate a flow rate of the heat medium in at least one of the heat medium/air heat exchanger and the heat transfer device, and

regulate one of a flow rate of the refrigerant or the flow rate of the heat medium such that the temperature of the ventilation air approaches the first target temperature, and regulate the other one of the flow rate of the refrigerant or the flow rate of the heat medium such that a temperature of the heat transfer device approaches a second target temperature,

when the first target temperature is lower than the second target temperature, the controller regulates the flow rate of the refrigerant such that the temperature of the ventilation air cooled in the heat medium/air heat exchanger approaches the first target temperature, and the controller regulates the flow rate of the heat medium such that the temperature of the heat transfer device approaches the second target temperature, and

when the second target temperature is lower than the first target temperature, the controller regulates the flow rate of the refrigerant such that the temperature of the heat transfer device approaches the second target temperature, and the controller regulates the flow rate of the heat medium such that the temperature of the ventilation air cooled in the heat medium/air heat exchanger approaches the first target temperature.

12. An air conditioner for a vehicle, comprising:

a pump configured to take in and dis charge a heat medium;

a heat medium/air heat exchanger that regulates a temperature of ventilation air blown into a vehicle interior by conducting sensible-heat exchange between the ventilation air and the heat medium circulated by the pump;

a heat transfer device having a passage through which the heat medium flows and configured to conduct heat transfer with the heat medium circulated by the pump;

a compressor disposed to take in and discharge a refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle;

a heat medium/refrigerant heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between the heat medium circulated by the pump and the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle to regulate a temperature of the heat medium circulated by the pump; and

a controller configured to control a heat transfer amount with the heat medium in the heat transfer device or heat exchange capability of the heat medium/air heat exchanger such that a temperature of the ventilation air regulated by the heat medium/air heat exchanger approaches a first target temperature, wherein

the heat medium/refrigerant heat exchanger is disposed to cool or heat the heat medium by conducting heat exchange between the heat medium circulated by the pump and the refrigerant, and

the controller is configured to

regulate a flow rate of the heat medium in at least one of the heat medium/air heat exchanger and the heat transfer device, and

regulate one of a flow rate of the refrigerant or the flow rate of the heat medium such that the temperature of the ventilation air approaches the first target temperature, and regulate the other one of the flow rate of the refrigerant or the flow rate of the heat medium such that a temperature of the heat transfer device approaches a second target temperature, and further comprising;

a first control mode in which the controller regulates the flow rate of the refrigerant such that the temperature of the ventilation air approaches the first target temperature, and the controller regulates the flow rate of the heat medium such that the temperature of the heat transfer device approaches the second target temperature, and

a second control mode in which the controller regulates the flow rate of the refrigerant such that the temperature of the heat transfer device approaches the second target temperature, and the controller regulates the flow rate of the heat medium such that the temperature of the ventilation air approaches the first target temperature, wherein

the controller switches between the first and second control modes based on weather the first deviation is positive or negative and the second deviation is positive or negative,

(i) when the first deviation denotes a difference that the first target temperature is subtracted from the temperature of the ventilation air in a case where the ventilation air is being cooled in the heat medium/air, heat exchanger, or a difference that the temperature of the ventilation air is subtracted from the first target temperature in a case where the ventilation air is being heated in the heat medium/air heat exchanger; and

(ii) when the second deviation denotes a difference that the second target temperature is subtracted from the temperature of the heat transfer device in a case where the heat medium is receiving heat in the heat transfer device, or a difference that the temperature of the heat transfer device is subtracted from the second target temperature in a case where the heat medium is releasing heat in the heat transfer device.

13. The air conditioner for a vehicle of claim 12, wherein

in a case (i) where the first deviation and second deviation are either both negative or both positive, or (ii) where both the first and second deviations change from positive values to negative values, or (iii) where both the first and second deviations change from negative values to positive values, or (iv) where the first deviation is a positive value and the second deviation changes from a negative value to a positive value, the first control mode is carried out when an absolute value of the first deviation is greater than an absolute value of the second deviation, and the second control mode is carried out when an absolute value of the second deviation is greater than an absolute value of the first deviation.

14. The air conditioner for a vehicle of claim 12, wherein

the first control mode is carried out when the first deviation is a positive value and the second deviation is a negative value, and

the second control mode is carried out when the first deviation is a negative value and the second deviation is a positive value.

15. The air conditioner for a vehicle of claim 12, wherein

when the first deviation is a positive value and the second deviation changes from a positive value to a negative value, the first control mode is carried out, and

when the first deviation changes from a positive value to a negative value and the second deviation is a positive value, the second control mode is carried out.

16. The air conditioner for a vehicle of claim 12, wherein

in a case where (i) the first deviation changes from a negative value to a positive value, (ii) the second deviation is a positive value, and (iii) the flow rate of the heat medium in the heat medium/air heat exchanger is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, the first control mode is carried out when the absolute value of the first deviation is greater than the absolute value of the second deviation, and the second control mode is carried out when the absolute value of the second deviation is greater than the absolute value of the first deviation, and

when the flow rate of the heat medium in the heat medium/air heat exchanger is less than the predetermined amount in a case where the first deviation changes from a negative value to a positive value and the second deviation is a positive value, the second control mode is carried out.

17. The air conditioner for a vehicle of claim 12, wherein

in a case where the first deviation changes from a negative value to a positive value and the second deviation changes from a positive value to a negative value, or in a case where the first deviation changes from a negative value to a positive value and the second deviation is a negative value, the first control mode is carried out when the flow rate of the heat medium in the heat medium/air heat exchanger is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, and

in a case where the first deviation changes from a negative value to a positive value and the second deviation changes from a positive value to a negative value, or in a case where the first deviation changed from a negative value to a positive value and the second deviation is a negative value, the second control mode is carried out when the flow rate of the heat medium in the heat medium/air heat exchanger is less than the predetermined amount.

18. The air conditioner for a vehicle of claim 12, wherein

in a case where the first deviation changes from a positive value to a negative value and the second deviation changes from a negative value to a positive value, or in a case where the first deviation is a negative value and the second deviation changes from a negative value to a positive value, the second control mode is carried out when the flow rate of the heat medium in the heat transfer device is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, and

in a case where the first deviation changes from a positive value to a negative value and the second deviation changes from a negative value to a positive value, or in a case where the first deviation is a negative value and the second deviation changes from a negative value to a positive value, the first control mode is carried out when the flow rate of the heat medium in the heat transfer device is less than the predetermined amount.

19. The air conditioner for a vehicle of claim 12, wherein

in a case where the first deviation is a negative value, the second deviation changes from a positive value to a negative value, and the flow rate of the heat medium in the heat medium/air heat exchanger is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, the first control mode is carried out when an absolute value of the first deviation is greater than the absolute value of the second deviation, and the second control mode is carried out when the absolute value of the second deviation is greater than the absolute value of the first deviation, and

in a case where the first deviation is a negative value, the second deviation changed from a positive value to a negative value, and the flow rate of the heat medium in the heat medium/air heat exchanger is less than the predetermined amount, the second control mode is carried out.

20. The air conditioner for a vehicle of claim 12, wherein

in a case where the first deviation changes from a positive value to a negative value, the second deviation is a negative value, and the flow rate of the heat medium in the heat transfer device is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, the first control mode is carried out when the absolute value of the first deviation is greater than the absolute value of the second deviation, and the second control mode is carried out when the absolute value of the second deviation is greater than the absolute value of the first deviation, and

in a case where the first deviation changes from a positive value to a negative value, the second deviation is a negative value, and the flow rate of the heat medium in the heat transfer device is less than the predetermined amount, the first control mode is carried out.

21. An air conditioner for a vehicle, comprising:

a pump configured to take in and discharge a heat medium;

a heat medium/air heat exchanger that regulates a temperature of ventilation air blown into a vehicle interior by conducting sensible-heat exchange between the ventilation air and the heat medium circulated by the pump;

a heat transfer device having a passage through which the heat medium flows and configured to conduct heat transfer with the heat medium circulated by the pump;

a compressor disposed to take in and discharge a refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle;

a heat medium/refrigerant heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between the heat medium circulated by the pump and the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle to regulate a temperature of the heat medium circulated by the pump; and

a controller configured to control a heat transfer amount with the heat medium in the heat transfer device or heat exchange capability of the heat medium/air heat exchanger such that a temperature of the ventilation air regulated by the heat medium/air heat exchanger approaches a first target temperature, wherein

the heat medium/refrigerant heat exchanger is disposed to cool or heat the heat medium by conducting heat exchange between the heat medium circulated by the pump and the refrigerant, and

the controller is configured to

regulate a flow rate of the heat medium in at least one of the heat medium/air heat exchanger and the heat transfer device, and

regulate one of a flow rate of the refrigerant or the flow rate of the heat medium such that the temperature of the ventilation air approaches the first target temperature, and regulate the other one of the flow rate of the refrigerant or the flow rate of the heat medium such that a temperature of the heat transfer device approaches a second target temperature,

in a case where an amount of heat exchange or a heat exchange demand between the heat medium and the ventilation air in the heat medium/air heat exchanger is higher than the heat transfer amount or a heat transfer demand with the heat medium in the heat transfer device, the controller regulates the flow rate of the refrigerant such that the temperature of the ventilation air approaches the first target temperature, and the controller regulates the flow rate of the heat medium such that the temperature of the heat transfer device approaches the second target temperature, and

in a case where the heat transfer amount or the heat transfer demand with the heat medium in the heat transfer device is higher or presumed to be higher than the amount of heat exchange or the heat exchange demand between the heat medium and the ventilation air in the heat medium/air heat exchanger, the controller regulates the flow rate of the refrigerant such that the temperature of the heat transfer device approaches the second target temperature, and the controller regulates the flow rate of the heat medium such that the temperature of the ventilation air approaches the first target temperature.