Air conditioning system suitable for use in an electric vehicle

• US 5,524,446 A
• Filed: 04/19/1994
• Issued: 06/11/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Hotta, Yoshihiko, Tajiri, Akihiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Wayner, William E.
• Application Number:
  US08/229,965
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: 62/90, 62/160, 62/173, 62/244, 62/179, 165/16, 165/43
• US Class Current: 62/179
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00392 for electric vehicles having only electric drive means
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00642 Control systems or circuits; Control members or indication devices for heating, cooling or ventilating devices B60H1/3201 - B60H1/3208, B60H1/3225 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00814 Control systems or circuits characterised by their output, for controlling particular components of the heating, cooling or ventilating installation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/02 to electric heating circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/51 characterised by AC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/14 Conductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/305 Communication interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

An air conditioning system suitable for use in an electric vehicle. In the air conditioning system, a refrigerant gas circulatory system of the heat pump type for selectively effecting cooling and heating is disposed inside the electric vehicle and comprises lines which interconnect three heat exchangers, a directional control valve, a compressor and an expansion valve to one another. A control device is provided so as to activate and inactivate the heat exchanger, the directional control valve and the compressor. Before the expected running of the vehicle, at least a portion of the refrigerant gas circulatory system can be operated by the control device using a drive source different from the drive source used for running the vehicle. Accordingly, a comfortable room environment can be established for the expected time on riding by activating the air conditioning system in an unmanned state.

Claims

1. An air conditioning system for use in a vehicle comprising:

a compressor for compressing a refrigerant;

interior heat exchanging means disposed inside said vehicle and connected to said compressor;

means for expanding said refrigerant connected to said interior heat exchanging means;

exterior heat exchanging means disposed outside of said vehicle and connected to said compressor and said interior heat exchanging means;

a switching valve provided between said interior heat exchanging means and said exterior heat exchanging means for selectively feeding said refrigerant in a state in which said refrigerant has a high temperature and a high pressure from said compressor to one of said exterior heat exchanging means and said interior heat exchanging means;

sensor means for detecting a temperature of a passenger compartment of said vehicle;

an intake damper which can be opened or closed for introducing outside air into said vehicle;

at least one floor damper, provided at a position downstream from said interior heat exchanging means, said damper being openable and closable for introducing air toward a floor of said passenger compartment; and

control means for controlling a degree of opening of said intake damper and said floor damper based on a temperature detected by said sensor means, wherein said interior heat exchanging means comprises at least a first interior heat exchanger and a second interior heat exchanger which are connected in series with each other.

2. An air conditioning system for use in a vehicle comprising;

a compressor for compressing a refrigerant;

exterior heat exchanging means disposed outside of a passenger compartment of said vehicle and connected to said compressor;

first blower means for blowing air through said exterior heat exchanging means;

interior heat exchanging means disposed in said passenger compartment of said vehicle and connected to said compressor;

second blower means for blowing air through said interior heat exchanging means;

expansion valve means disposed in a first conduit connecting said exterior heat exchanging means and said interior heat exchanging means;

a four-way valve provided in a second conduit connecting said exterior heat exchanging means and said interior heat exchanging means; and

at least one damper through which air is blown into said passenger compartment of said vehicle after undergoing heat exchange in said interior heat exchanging means, said damper being disposed at a position downstream from said interior heat exchanging means, wherein said interior heat exchanging means comprises at least a first interior heat exchanger and a second interior heat exchanger both of which are connected in series with each other.

3. An air conditioning system according to claim 2, further comprising an exit damper for allowing air to flow out from said passenger compartment, said exit damper being disposed at a position downstream from said interior heat exchanging means.

4. An air conditioning system for use in a vehicle comprising;

a compressor for compressing a refrigerant;

exterior heat exchanging means disposed outside of a passenger compartment of said vehicle and connected to said compressor;

first blower means for blowing air toward said exterior heat exchanging means;

interior heat exchanging means disposed in said passenger compartment of said vehicle and connected to said compressor;

second blower means for blowing air toward said interior heat exchanging means;

expansion valve means disposed in a first refrigerant conduit connecting said exterior heat exchanging means and said interior heat exchanging means;

a four-way valve disposed in a second refrigerant conduit connecting said exterior heat exchanging means and said interior heat exchanging means; and

control means for controlling a quantity of air passing through said exterior heat exchanging means, wherein said interior heat exchanging means comprises at least a first interior heat exchanger and a second interior heat exchanger which are connected in series with each other.

5. An air conditioning system according to claim 4, wherein said control means comprises at least one damper.

6. An air conditioning system according to claim 5, further comprising means for controlling said damper to open and close said damper depending on a selected mode of operation said air conditioning system.

7. An air conditioning system for use in a vehicle comprising;

a compressor for compressing a refrigerant;

exterior heat exchanging means disposed outside of a passenger compartment of said vehicle and connected to said compressor;

first blower means for blowing air toward said exterior heat exchanging means;

interior heat exchanging means disposed inside said passenger compartment and connected to said compressor;

second blower means for blowing air toward said interior heat exchanging means;

expansion valve means disposed in a first conduit connecting said exterior heat exchanging means and said interior heat exchanging means;

a four-way valve disposed in a second conduit connecting said exterior heat exchanging means and said interior heat exchanging means;

a first air port for discharging air out from said passenger compartment of said vehicle;

a second air port for introducing air into said passenger compartment directly from outside of said passenger compartment; and

means for opening and closing said first and second air ports, wherein said interior heat exchanging means comprises at least a first interior heat exchanger and a second interior heat exchanger which are connected in series with each other.

8. An air conditioning system according to claim 7, wherein said means for opening and closing comprises at least one damper.

9. An air conditioning system according to claim 7, further comprising control means for controlling said means for opening and closing so as to open and close said first and second air ports when operating said air conditioning system in a heating mode and/or in a thawing mode.

10. An air conditioning system according to claim 9, further comprising a third air port directed toward said exterior heat exchanger, and means for opening and closing said third air port, said control means further controlling said means for opening and closing said third port.

11. An air conditioning system according to claim 10, wherein said means for opening and closing said third air port comprises at least one damper.

12. An air conditioning system for use in a vehicle comprising;

a compressor compressing a refrigerant;

exterior heat exchanging means disposed outside of a passenger compartment of said vehicle and connected to said compressor;

first blower means for blowing air through said exterior heat exchanging means;

interior heat exchanging means disposed in an air circulation compartment of said vehicle and connected to said compressor;

said interior heat exchanging means including a first interior heat exchanger and a second interior heat exchanger connected in series flow relationship between said compressor and said exterior heat exchanging means;

second blower means for blowing air through said first interior heat exchanger and then through said second interior heat exchanger;

expansion valve means disposed in a first conduit connecting said exterior heat exchanging means and said interior heat exchanging means;

a four-way valve provided in a second conduit connecting said exterior heat exchanging means and said interior heat exchanging means; and

at least one damper for discharging air from said air circulation compartment into said passenger compartment of said vehicle after undergoing heat exchange in said interior heat exchanging means.

13. An air conditioning system according to claim 12, wherein valve means are provided in a refrigerant flow conduit between said first and second interior heat exchangers.

14. An air conditioning system according to claim 13, wherein said valve means includes an expansion valve, and control means for selectively causing condensed refrigerant from said second interior heat exchanger to flow through said expansion valve for evaporating the refrigerant in said first interior heat exchanger.

15. An air conditioning system according to claim 12, including control means for controlling a quantity of air passing through said exterior heat exchanging means.

16. An air conditioning system according to claim 12, including a first air port for discharging air out from said passenger compartment of said vehicle;

a second air port for introducing air into said air circulation compartment directly from outside of said vehicle; and

means for selectively opening and closing said first and second air ports.

17. An air conditioning system according to claim 12, including sensor means for detecting a temperature in said passenger compartment of said vehicle;

an intake damper which can he selectively opened or closed for introducing outside air into said air circulation compartment;

said at least one damper including a floor damper openable and closable for introducing air toward a floor of said passenger compartment; and

control means for controlling a degree of opening of said intake damper and said floor damper based on a temperature detected by said sensor means.

18. An air conditioning system according to claim 12, wherein damper means are provided with said air circulation compartment for selectively causing air being blown by aid second blower means to be recirculated through said first and second interior heat exchangers.

19. An air conditioning system for use in a vehicle comprising;

a compressor for compressing a refrigerant;

exterior heat exchanging means disposed outside of a passenger compartment of said vehicle and connected to said compressor;

first blower means for blowing air through said exterior heat exchanging means;

interior heat exchanging means disposed in an air circulation compartment of said vehicle and connected to said compressor;

said interior heat exchanging means including a first interior heat exchanger and a second interior heat exchanger positioned at separate locations in said air circulation compartment,

a valve means in a first conduit connecting said first and second interior heat exchangers for controlling the flow of refrigerant between said first interior heat exchanger and said second interior heat exchanger;

second blower means for blowing air through said interior heat exchanging means;

expansion valve means disposed in a second conduit connecting said exterior heat exchanging means and said interior heat exchanging means;

a four-way valve provided in a third conduit connecting said exterior heat exchanging means and said interior heat exchanging means; and

at least one damper for discharging air from said air circulation compartment into said passenger compartment of said vehicle after undergoing heat exchange in said interior heat exchanging means.

20. An air conditioning system according to claim 19, wherein said valve means includes an expansion valve, and control means for selectively causing condensed refrigerant from said second interior heat exchanger to flow through said expansion valve for evaporating the refrigerant in said first interior heat exchanger.

21. An air conditioning system according to claim 19, including control means for controlling a quantity of air passing through said exterior heat exchanging means.

22. An air conditioning system according to claim 19, including a first air port for discharging air out from said passenger compartment of said vehicle;

a second air port for introducing air into said air circulation compartment directly from outside of said vehicle; and

means for selectively opening and closing said first and second air ports.

23. An air conditioning system according to claim 19, including sensor means for detecting a temperature in said passenger compartment of said vehicle;

an intake damper which can be selectively opened or closed for introducing outside air into said air circulation compartment;

said at least one damper including a floor damper openable and closable for introducing air toward a floor of said passenger compartment; and

control means for controlling a degree of opening of said intake damper and said floor damper based on a temperature detected by said sensor means.

24. An air conditioning system according to claim 19, wherein damper means are provided with said air circulation compartment for selectively causing air being blown by aid second blower means to be recirculated through said first and second interior heat exchangers.