Refrigerant relief device for vehicle air conditioner

• US 6,240,738 B1
• Filed: 02/16/2000
• Issued: 06/05/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Ogihara, Satoshi, Kato, Yuichi, Kikuchi, Koji
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ali, Mohammad M.
• Application Number:
  US09/504,908
• Time in Patent Office: 475 Days
• Field of Search: 622/39, 622/44, 621/33
• US Class Current: 62/239
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/3225 characterised by safety arrangements, e.g. compressor anti-seizure means or by signalling devices
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2309/06 Compression machines, plants or systems characterised by the refrigerant being carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 45/00 Arrangements for charging or discharging refrigerant
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 9/008 the refrigerant being carbon dioxide

Abstract

A refrigerant relief device for a vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention is provided with a detection section detecting an impact applied to the vehicle and a relief section relieving a refrigerant at a high pressure side of an air conditioning cycle of the vehicle air conditioner to the outside of the vehicle air conditioner when the sensor detects the impact.

Claims

1. A refrigerant relief device for a vehicle air conditioner, comprising:

a detection section detecting an impact applied to a vehicle; and

a relief section relieving a refrigerant at a high-pressure side of an air conditioning cycle of the vehicle air conditioner to an outside of the air conditioning cycle when the detection section detects the impact.

2. A refrigerant relief device for a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising a control section controlling the relief section so as to relieve the refrigerant at the high pressure side of the air conditioning cycle to the outside thereof when the detection section detects the impact.

3. A refrigerant relief device for a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the relief section relieves the refrigerant at the high pressure side of the air conditioning cycle to an inside of the vehicle and/or downward thereof.

4. A refrigerant relief device for a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the relief section is provided with a solenoid type relief valve.

5. A refrigerant relief device for a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein

the solenoid type relief valve comprises a coil, a movable iron core inserted into the coil, a seal section sealing the refrigerant, and a connecting section connecting the movable iron core with the seal section;

when the detection section detects the impact, the coil is excited, the movable iron core is moved by an electromagnetic force generated by exciting the coil and the connecting section is moved by moving the movable iron core, thereby opening the seal section connected with the connecting section and relieving the refrigerant at the high pressure side of the air conditioning cycle to the outside thereof.

6. A refrigerant relief device for a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the relief section is provided with an inflater type relief valve.

7. A refrigerant relief device for a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein

the inflater type relief valve comprises a gas generator capable of generating a pressure, a seal section sealing the refrigerant, and a connecting section connecting the gas generator with the seal section;

when the detection section detects the impact, the gas generator generates a pressure and the connecting section is moved by the pressure, thereby opening the seal section connected with the connecting section and relieving the refrigerant at the high pressure side of the air conditioning cycle to the outside thereof.

8. A refrigerant relief device for a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the detection section is also used for an airbag system of the vehicle.

9. A refrigerant relief device for a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 8, wherein the detection section is provided with an acceleration sensor.

10. A refrigerant relief device for a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the relief section is provided at a condenser of the vehicle air conditioner.

11. A refrigerant relief device for a vehicle air conditioner according to claim 10, wherein the relief section is provided at both ends of a lower tank of the condenser of the vehicle air conditioner.

12. A refrigerant relief device for a vehicle air conditioner, comprising:

detection means for detecting an impact applied to the vehicle;

relief means for relieving a refrigerant at a high pressure side of an air conditioning cycle of the vehicle air conditioner to an outside of the air conditioning cycle; and

control means for controlling the relief means so as to relieve the refrigerant at the high pressure side of the air conditioning cycle to the outside of the air conditioning cycle when the detection means detects the impact.