JP2006151016A - Air conditioner for vehicle - Google Patents

Air conditioner for vehicle Download PDF

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JP2006151016A
JP2006151016A JP2004340468A JP2004340468A JP2006151016A JP 2006151016 A JP2006151016 A JP 2006151016A JP 2004340468 A JP2004340468 A JP 2004340468A JP 2004340468 A JP2004340468 A JP 2004340468A JP 2006151016 A JP2006151016 A JP 2006151016A
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refrigeration cycle
opening
refrigerant
closing
air conditioner
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Masato Tsuboi
政人 坪井
Kenichi Suzuki
謙一 鈴木
Yuichi Matsumoto
雄一 松元
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Sanden Corp
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Sanden Corp
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Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner for a vehicle capable of suppressing firing when releasing a flammable refrigerant into the atmosphere. <P>SOLUTION: The air conditioner for the vehicle has an extinguishing media mixing means capable of releasing into the out of the refrigerant cycle (into the atmosphere) while mixing the refrigerant cycle and the flammable refrigerant in the refrigerant cycle with an extinguishing media. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

本発明は、可燃性冷媒を使用した車両用空調装置に関し、とくに、冷媒漏洩時の安全対策を施した車両用空調装置に関する。   The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner using a flammable refrigerant, and more particularly to a vehicle air conditioner with safety measures taken when a refrigerant leaks.

環境問題への配慮の面から、車両用空調装置の冷媒として採用されているフロン系冷媒の使用が規制され始めており、脱フロン化対策として可燃性冷媒が提案されている。可燃性冷媒を使用した車両用空調装置からの可燃性冷媒の漏れや安全対策として、冷凍サイクルのいずれかの部分から破損等により可燃性冷媒の漏れが発生した場合、冷凍サイクル内の冷媒を冷凍サイクル外（大気中）に放出し、局所的に漏洩冷媒の濃度が着火や燃焼のおそれがある濃度にまで達しないようにした構造が知られている（たとえば、特許文献１）。   From the viewpoint of consideration for environmental problems, the use of chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants, which are adopted as refrigerants for vehicle air conditioners, is beginning to be regulated, and flammable refrigerants have been proposed as countermeasures for defluorocarbons. As a safety measure, flammable refrigerant leaks from vehicle air conditioners that use flammable refrigerant. If flammable refrigerant leaks due to damage from any part of the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle is frozen. A structure is known that is discharged outside the cycle (in the atmosphere) and locally prevents the concentration of the leaked refrigerant from reaching a concentration that may cause ignition or combustion (for example, Patent Document 1).

すなわち、通常の車両用空調装置は、たとえば図４に示すように冷凍サイクル１０１を備えており、該冷凍サイクル１０１には圧縮機１０２、凝縮器１０３、受液器１０４、膨張弁１０５、蒸発器１０６等が設けられ、蒸発器１０６がダクト１０７内に配置されて、送風機１０８により送られてくる空気が冷却されて車室内に送られるようになっている。このような冷凍サイクル１０１のいずれかの部位に、上記の目的で冷媒を大気中に放出する冷媒放出手段（図示略）が設けられる構造が提案されている。特許文献１で提案されている従来の冷媒放出手段は、大気中に冷媒を放出する際には、冷凍サイクルの冷媒圧力が所定値を超えたときに冷凍サイクル内と外（大気中）を連通する連通路を開放し、冷凍サイクル内の冷媒を大気中に放出するようにしている。また、このとき、冷凍サイクル内の冷媒圧力が上記所定値よりも低い値になったときに上記連通路を閉塞するようにしているものもある。
特開平１０−１７５４２６号公報 That is, an ordinary vehicle air conditioner includes a refrigeration cycle 101 as shown in FIG. 4, for example. The refrigeration cycle 101 includes a compressor 102, a condenser 103, a liquid receiver 104, an expansion valve 105, and an evaporator. 106 and the like are provided, and the evaporator 106 is disposed in the duct 107 so that the air sent by the blower 108 is cooled and sent into the passenger compartment. There has been proposed a structure in which refrigerant discharge means (not shown) for releasing the refrigerant into the atmosphere for the above purpose is provided in any part of the refrigeration cycle 101. The conventional refrigerant release means proposed in Patent Document 1 communicates the inside and outside of the refrigeration cycle (in the atmosphere) when the refrigerant pressure in the refrigeration cycle exceeds a predetermined value when releasing the refrigerant into the atmosphere. The communication path is opened to release the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle to the atmosphere. Further, at this time, there are some which close the communication path when the refrigerant pressure in the refrigeration cycle becomes a value lower than the predetermined value.
JP-A-10-175426

上記のような従来の冷媒放出手段は、使用している冷媒が可燃性でない場合には問題はない。しかし使用している冷媒が可燃性冷媒の場合には、単に大気中に放出すると、局所的に放出冷媒の濃度が高くなった場合、発火する恐れも孕んでいる。従って、可燃性の冷媒放出については、大気放出時の可燃性対策が必要となる。   The conventional refrigerant discharge means as described above has no problem when the refrigerant used is not flammable. However, when the refrigerant used is a flammable refrigerant, there is a risk that if it is simply released into the atmosphere, it will ignite if the concentration of the refrigerant released locally increases. Therefore, for flammable refrigerant release, it is necessary to take measures against flammability when released into the atmosphere.

そこで本発明の課題は、上記のような問題点に着目し、可燃性冷媒を大気中に放出するときの発火の抑制をはかることが可能な車両用空調装置を提供することにある。   Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle air conditioner capable of suppressing ignition when a combustible refrigerant is released into the atmosphere, paying attention to the above problems.

上記課題を解決するために、本発明に係る車両用空調装置は、冷凍サイクルと、該冷凍サイクル内の可燃性冷媒を消火剤と混合させながら冷凍サイクル外へ放出可能な消火剤混合手段とを有することを特徴とするものからなる。   In order to solve the above-described problems, a vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention includes a refrigeration cycle, and a fire extinguisher mixing unit that can be discharged to the outside of the refrigeration cycle while mixing the flammable refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle with the fire extinguisher. It consists of what is characterized by having.

この車両用空調装置においては、冷凍サイクル内と消火剤混合手段との連通路を開閉可能な冷凍サイクル開閉手段と、該冷凍サイクル開閉手段を開閉操作可能な冷凍サイクル開閉操作手段と、冷凍サイクルからの冷媒の漏洩と相関のある物理量を認識または検知可能な冷媒漏洩認識手段とを有し、冷媒漏洩を認識したときに冷凍サイクル開閉操作手段により冷凍サイクル開閉手段を操作し、冷凍サイクル内の冷媒を消火剤混合手段を経由させることで消火剤と冷媒を混合させながら冷凍サイクル外へ放出する構成とすることができる。   In this vehicle air conditioner, a refrigeration cycle opening / closing means capable of opening / closing a communication path between the refrigeration cycle and the extinguishing agent mixing means, a refrigeration cycle opening / closing operation means capable of opening / closing the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means, and a refrigeration cycle Refrigerant recognizing means capable of recognizing or detecting a physical quantity correlated with the refrigerant leakage of the refrigerant, and operating the refrigerating cycle opening / closing means by the refrigerating cycle opening / closing means when recognizing the refrigerant leakage. It can be set as the structure discharged | emitted out of a refrigerating cycle, mixing a fire extinguisher and a refrigerant | coolant by letting a fire extinguisher go through.

また、冷凍サイクル内と消火剤混合手段との連通路を開閉可能な冷凍サイクル開閉手段と、該冷凍サイクル開閉手段を開閉操作可能な冷凍サイクル開閉操作手段と、冷凍サイクル内の冷媒圧力に相関のある物理量を認識または検知可能な冷媒圧力認識手段とを有し、冷凍サイクル内の冷媒圧力が所定値Ａを超えたときに冷凍サイクル開閉操作手段により冷凍サイクル開閉手段を操作し、冷凍サイクル内の冷媒を消火剤混合手段を経由させることで消火剤と冷媒を混合させながら冷凍サイクル外へ放出する構成とすることもできる。この場合、冷媒圧力が前記所定値Ａよりも低い所定値Ｂを下回ったときに冷凍サイクル開閉操作手段により冷凍サイクル開閉手段を操作し、冷凍サイクル内の冷媒放出を停止するようにすることもできる。   The refrigeration cycle opening / closing means capable of opening / closing the communication path between the refrigeration cycle and the extinguishing agent mixing means, the refrigeration cycle opening / closing operation means capable of opening / closing the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means, and the refrigerant pressure in the refrigeration cycle. Refrigerant pressure recognition means capable of recognizing or detecting a certain physical quantity, and when the refrigerant pressure in the refrigeration cycle exceeds a predetermined value A, the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means is operated by the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means, It can also be set as the structure discharged | emitted outside a refrigerating cycle, mixing a fire extinguisher and a refrigerant | coolant by letting a refrigerant pass through a fire extinguisher mixing means. In this case, when the refrigerant pressure falls below a predetermined value B lower than the predetermined value A, the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means can be operated by the refrigeration cycle opening / closing operation means to stop refrigerant discharge in the refrigeration cycle. .

また、冷凍サイクル内と消火剤混合手段との連通路を開閉可能な冷凍サイクル開閉手段と、該冷凍サイクル開閉手段を開閉操作可能な冷凍サイクル開閉操作手段と、冷凍サイクルからの冷媒の漏洩と相関のある物理量を認識または検知可能な冷媒漏洩認識手段と、冷凍サイクル内の冷媒圧力に相関のある物理量を認識または検知可能な冷媒圧力認識手段とを有し、冷媒漏洩を認識したときまたは冷媒圧力が所定値Ａを超えたとき、冷凍サイクル開閉操作手段により冷凍サイクル開閉手段を操作し、冷凍サイクル内の冷媒を消火剤混合手段を経由させることで消火剤と冷媒を混合させながら冷凍サイクル外へ放出する構成とすることもできる。この場合にも、冷媒圧力が前記所定値Ａよりも低い所定値Ｂを下回ったときに冷凍サイクル開閉操作手段により冷凍サイクル開閉手段を操作し、冷凍サイクル内の冷媒放出を停止するようにすることもできる。   Further, a refrigeration cycle opening / closing means capable of opening / closing the communication path between the refrigeration cycle and the extinguishing agent mixing means, a refrigeration cycle opening / closing operation means capable of opening / closing the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means, and a correlation with refrigerant leakage from the refrigeration cycle Refrigerant recognizing means capable of recognizing or detecting a certain physical quantity and refrigerant pressure recognizing means capable of recognizing or detecting a physical quantity correlated with the refrigerant pressure in the refrigeration cycle, when refrigerant leakage is recognized or refrigerant pressure When the refrigeration cycle exceeds the predetermined value A, the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means is operated by the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means, and the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle is passed through the extinguishing agent mixing means, so that the extinguishing agent and the refrigerant are mixed, and the outside of the refrigeration cycle. It can also be set as the structure to discharge | release. Also in this case, when the refrigerant pressure falls below the predetermined value B lower than the predetermined value A, the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means is operated by the refrigeration cycle opening / closing operation means to stop the refrigerant discharge in the refrigeration cycle. You can also.

さらに、冷凍サイクル内と消火剤混合手段との連通路を開閉可能な冷凍サイクル開閉手段と、該冷凍サイクル開閉手段を開閉操作可能な冷凍サイクル開閉操作手段と、車両衝突時等の衝撃エネルギーに相関のある物理量を認識または検知可能な車両衝突等認識手段とを有し、該車両衝突等認識手段の認識値が閾値を超えたときに冷凍サイクル開閉操作手段により冷凍サイクル開閉手段を操作し、冷凍サイクル内の冷媒を消火剤混合手段を経由させることで消火剤と冷媒を混合させながら冷凍サイクル外へ放出する構成とすることもできる。   Further, the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means capable of opening / closing the communication path between the refrigeration cycle and the extinguishing agent mixing means, the refrigeration cycle opening / closing operation means capable of opening / closing the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means, and correlation with impact energy at the time of a vehicle collision, etc. A vehicle collision recognition means capable of recognizing or detecting a certain physical quantity. When the recognition value of the vehicle collision recognition means exceeds a threshold value, the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means is operated by the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means, It can also be set as the structure discharged | emitted outside a refrigerating cycle, mixing a fire extinguisher and a refrigerant | coolant by letting the refrigerant | coolant in a cycle pass through a fire extinguisher mixing means.

また、上記車両用空調装置においては、冷凍サイクル開閉操作手段により冷凍サイクル開閉手段を操作するための信号を送る手段を複数有し（たとえば、上記冷媒漏洩認識手段、冷媒圧力認識手段、車両衝突等認識手段の少なくとも２つを有し）、各手段が個別の閾値を有する構成とすることができる。   The vehicle air conditioner has a plurality of means for sending a signal for operating the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means by the refrigeration cycle opening / closing operation means (for example, the refrigerant leakage recognition means, the refrigerant pressure recognition means, the vehicle collision, etc.). At least two of the recognition means), and each means may have a separate threshold value.

また、上記冷凍サイクル開閉手段は電磁ソレノイドにより開閉弁を駆動するものからなり、かつ、電磁ソレノイドに通電することで開閉弁を開とするノーマルクローズ方式の開閉手段からなる構成とすることができる。   Further, the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means can be configured to drive the opening / closing valve by an electromagnetic solenoid and to be configured by a normally closed type opening / closing means for opening the opening / closing valve by energizing the electromagnetic solenoid.

さらに、本発明に係る車両用空調装置においては、上記消火剤混合手段は、冷凍サイクル内の冷媒圧力に応じて冷凍サイクルを開閉する冷凍サイクル開閉手段を内蔵し、冷媒圧力が所定値Ｃを超えたとき、冷凍サイクル内と消火剤混合手段内とを連通させる連通路を開放し、冷媒圧力が前記所定値Ｃよりも低い所定値Ｄを下回ったときに前記連通路を閉塞するものからなる構成とすることもできる。たとえば、スプリングによって付勢された弁体を備えた冷凍サイクル開閉手段を内蔵し、冷凍サイクル内の冷媒圧力に応じて冷凍サイクルを開閉するようにした構成を採用できる。   Further, in the vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention, the fire extinguisher mixing means includes a refrigeration cycle opening / closing means for opening / closing the refrigeration cycle according to the refrigerant pressure in the refrigeration cycle, and the refrigerant pressure exceeds a predetermined value C. A communication path for communicating between the refrigeration cycle and the extinguishing agent mixing means is opened, and the communication path is closed when the refrigerant pressure falls below a predetermined value D lower than the predetermined value C. It can also be. For example, a configuration in which a refrigeration cycle opening / closing means having a valve body biased by a spring is incorporated and the refrigeration cycle is opened / closed according to the refrigerant pressure in the refrigeration cycle can be employed.

本発明に係る車両用空調装置によれば、冷凍サイクル内の可燃性冷媒が冷凍サイクル外（大気中）へ放出される際には、消火剤と混合させながら放出されるので、放出冷媒の発火等のおそれが除去され、可燃性冷媒を放出する際の安全性が大幅に高められる。   According to the vehicle air conditioner of the present invention, when the flammable refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle is released outside the refrigeration cycle (in the atmosphere), it is released while being mixed with a fire extinguisher. And the like, and the safety when releasing the flammable refrigerant is greatly improved.

また、冷媒漏洩認識や、冷凍サイクル内の冷媒圧力、車両衝突等の認識に応じて、消火剤との混合放出を行うようにすれば、より的確に可燃性冷媒の放出を制御することが可能になる。   In addition, it is possible to control the release of flammable refrigerant more accurately by performing mixed discharge with a fire extinguishing agent in accordance with refrigerant leak recognition, refrigerant pressure in the refrigeration cycle, vehicle collision, etc. become.

以下に、本発明の望ましい実施の形態について、図面を参照しながら説明する。
図１および図２は、本発明の一実施態様に係る車両用空調装置を示している。図１において、可燃性冷媒が使用される冷凍サイクル１中には、冷媒を圧縮する圧縮機２、圧縮機２からの冷媒を凝縮する凝縮器３、凝縮器３で凝縮され液化された冷媒を集め冷媒中の水分を取り除く受液器４、液冷媒を減圧膨張する膨張弁５、膨張された冷媒を蒸発させる蒸発器６がこの順に設けられている。蒸発器６はダクト７内に配置されており、送風機８により送られてきた空気が蒸発器６で冷却されて車室内へと送られる。 Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 and 2 show a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, in a refrigeration cycle 1 in which a combustible refrigerant is used, a compressor 2 that compresses the refrigerant, a condenser 3 that condenses the refrigerant from the compressor 2, and a refrigerant that has been condensed and liquefied by the condenser 3. A liquid receiver 4 that removes moisture from the collected refrigerant, an expansion valve 5 that decompresses and expands the liquid refrigerant, and an evaporator 6 that evaporates the expanded refrigerant are provided in this order. The evaporator 6 is disposed in the duct 7, and the air sent by the blower 8 is cooled by the evaporator 6 and sent to the passenger compartment.

可燃性冷媒の漏洩の認識または検知は、本実施態様では、冷凍サイクル１からの冷媒の漏洩と相関のある物理量を認識または検知可能な冷媒漏洩認識手段として蒸発器６の近傍に設けられた冷媒漏洩センサ９、冷凍サイクル１内の冷媒圧力に相関のある物理量を認識または検知可能な冷媒圧力認識手段として受液器４と膨張弁５の間に設けられた冷媒圧力センサ１０、車両衝突時等の衝撃エネルギーに相関のある物理量を認識または検知可能な車両衝突等認識手段として車両の前面等に設けられた車両衝突センサ１１の少なくとも一つのセンサからの信号がメインコントローラ１２に送られ、メインコントローラ１２で予め定められた所定値としての閾値を超えたか否かによって判断される。   In this embodiment, the leakage or recognition of the leakage of the combustible refrigerant is a refrigerant provided in the vicinity of the evaporator 6 as refrigerant leakage recognition means capable of recognizing or detecting a physical quantity correlated with the refrigerant leakage from the refrigeration cycle 1. Leak sensor 9, refrigerant pressure sensor 10 provided between receiver 4 and expansion valve 5 as refrigerant pressure recognition means capable of recognizing or detecting a physical quantity correlated with refrigerant pressure in refrigeration cycle 1, vehicle collision, etc. A signal from at least one of the vehicle collision sensors 11 provided on the front surface of the vehicle or the like as a vehicle collision recognition means capable of recognizing or detecting a physical quantity correlated with the impact energy of the vehicle is sent to the main controller 12, and the main controller 12 12 is determined based on whether or not a predetermined threshold value is exceeded.

本実施態様では、受液器４と膨張弁５の間に分岐冷媒配管１３が設けられており、この分岐冷媒配管１３に、図２に示すように、冷凍サイクル開閉手段としての電磁弁１４の開閉弁部１４ａが設けられており、開閉弁部１４ａは、冷凍サイクル開閉操作手段としての電磁弁１４の電磁ソレノイド部分１４ｂにより開閉作動される。この電磁弁１４は、電磁ソレノイド部分１４ｂに通電することで開閉弁部１４ａを開とするノーマルクローズ方式の電磁弁からなる。上記閾値を超えたときに、電磁ソレノイド部分１４ｂに通電され、開閉弁部１４ａが開とされる。分岐冷媒配管１３の電磁弁１４の下流側には、冷凍サイクル１内の可燃性冷媒を消火剤と混合させながら冷凍サイクル１外（大気中）へ放出可能な消火剤混合手段としての消火剤混合器１５が設けられており、分岐冷媒配管１３は消火剤混合器１５の直下流側で大気中に開放されている。消火剤混合器１５は適当な容積を有し、その内部には、可燃性冷媒と混合される消火剤１６が収容されている。この消火剤混合器１５を経由させることで消火剤１６と冷媒を混合させながら冷凍サイクル１外へ放出することが可能となっている。なお、消火剤１６は、外部に向けて捨てられるものであるから、特別なものでない、通常の消火剤を使用できる。   In the present embodiment, a branch refrigerant pipe 13 is provided between the liquid receiver 4 and the expansion valve 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the branch refrigerant pipe 13 includes an electromagnetic valve 14 as a refrigeration cycle opening / closing means. An opening / closing valve portion 14a is provided, and the opening / closing valve portion 14a is opened / closed by an electromagnetic solenoid portion 14b of the electromagnetic valve 14 as a refrigeration cycle opening / closing operation means. The electromagnetic valve 14 is a normally closed electromagnetic valve that opens the on-off valve portion 14a by energizing the electromagnetic solenoid portion 14b. When the threshold value is exceeded, the electromagnetic solenoid portion 14b is energized and the on-off valve portion 14a is opened. On the downstream side of the solenoid valve 14 of the branch refrigerant pipe 13, a fire extinguisher mixed as a fire extinguisher mixing means capable of releasing combustible refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle 1 to the outside of the refrigeration cycle 1 (in the atmosphere) while mixing with the fire extinguisher. The branch refrigerant pipe 13 is opened to the atmosphere immediately downstream of the fire extinguisher mixer 15. The fire extinguisher mixer 15 has an appropriate volume, and the fire extinguisher 16 mixed with the combustible refrigerant is accommodated therein. The fire extinguisher 16 and the refrigerant can be discharged to the outside of the refrigeration cycle 1 by passing through the fire extinguisher mixer 15. In addition, since the extinguishing agent 16 is thrown away toward the outside, a normal extinguishing agent that is not special can be used.

消火剤１６と冷媒の混合は、本実施態様では、冷凍サイクル１内の冷媒圧力と冷凍サイクル１外（大気中）の圧力の差により発生する冷媒移動（放出）時に、ベルヌーイの定理を利用し、消火剤混合器１５の消火剤１６が吸入管１７を介して吸い上げられ、冷媒と混合して大気中に放出されるようになっている。ただし、消火剤を混合させるための消火剤混合器１５の構造はこれに限定されず、任意の構造を採用可能である。   In this embodiment, the mixture of the extinguishing agent 16 and the refrigerant uses Bernoulli's theorem when the refrigerant moves (releases) due to the difference between the refrigerant pressure in the refrigeration cycle 1 and the pressure outside the refrigeration cycle 1 (in the atmosphere). The fire extinguisher 16 of the fire extinguisher mixer 15 is sucked up through the suction pipe 17, mixed with the refrigerant and discharged into the atmosphere. However, the structure of the extinguishing agent mixer 15 for mixing the extinguishing agent is not limited to this, and an arbitrary structure can be adopted.

このように構成された本実施例では、冷媒漏洩認識手段としての冷媒漏洩センサ９、冷媒圧力認識手段としての冷媒圧力センサ１０、車両衝突等認識手段としての車両衝突センサ１１のいずれかが各々別々の所定値である閾値を超えたときに、それがメインコントローラ１２で判断され、メインコントローラ１２からの信号に基づいて、冷凍サイクル開閉操作手段としての電磁弁１４の電磁ソレノイド部分１４ｂに通電され、冷凍サイクル開閉手段としての電磁弁１４の開閉弁部１４ａが開かれ、冷凍サイクル１内の冷媒を消火剤混合器１５を経由させることで消火剤１６と冷媒が混合されながら冷凍サイクル１外へ放出される。可燃性の冷媒が消火剤１６と混合されながら放出されるので、発火等のおそれは除去され、安全な状態で所望の可燃性冷媒の放出が行われることになる。   In this embodiment configured as described above, any one of the refrigerant leak sensor 9 as the refrigerant leak recognition means, the refrigerant pressure sensor 10 as the refrigerant pressure recognition means, and the vehicle collision sensor 11 as the vehicle collision recognition means is separately provided. When a threshold value that is a predetermined value is exceeded, it is determined by the main controller 12, and based on a signal from the main controller 12, the electromagnetic solenoid portion 14b of the electromagnetic valve 14 as the refrigeration cycle opening / closing operation means is energized, The opening / closing valve portion 14a of the electromagnetic valve 14 as the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means is opened, and the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle 1 is discharged to the outside of the refrigeration cycle 1 while the extinguishing agent 16 and the refrigerant are mixed by passing through the extinguishing agent mixer 15. Is done. Since the combustible refrigerant is released while being mixed with the extinguishing agent 16, the possibility of ignition or the like is eliminated, and the desired combustible refrigerant is released in a safe state.

また、可燃性冷媒の放出は、冷媒漏洩認識や、冷凍サイクル内の冷媒圧力、車両衝突等の認識について少なくともこれらの一つが閾値を超えたときに開始されるので、より高い安全性をもって可燃性冷媒の放出が制御される。このうち、冷媒圧力による制御においては、冷凍サイクル１内の冷媒圧力が所定値Ａを超えたときに電磁弁１４の開閉弁部１４ａが開かれ、消火剤１６と冷媒が混合されながら冷凍サイクル１外へ放出され、冷媒圧力が上記所定値Ａよりも低い所定値Ｂを下回ったときには、開閉弁部１４ａが閉じられ、冷媒放出は停止される。   In addition, the release of combustible refrigerant starts when at least one of the recognition of refrigerant leakage, refrigerant pressure in the refrigeration cycle, vehicle collision, etc. exceeds a threshold value. The release of the refrigerant is controlled. Among these, in the control by the refrigerant pressure, when the refrigerant pressure in the refrigeration cycle 1 exceeds a predetermined value A, the open / close valve portion 14a of the electromagnetic valve 14 is opened, and the refrigeration cycle 1 is mixed with the extinguishing agent 16 and the refrigerant. When the refrigerant pressure is discharged to the outside and the refrigerant pressure falls below a predetermined value B lower than the predetermined value A, the on-off valve portion 14a is closed and the refrigerant discharge is stopped.

図３は、本発明の別の実施態様に係る車両用空調装置における消火剤混合手段の構成例を示している。本実施態様では、前記実施態様におけるような電磁弁は設けられず、消火剤混合手段としての消火剤１６を収容した消火剤混合器２１に、冷凍サイクル１内の冷媒圧力に応じて冷凍サイクル１を開閉する冷凍サイクル開閉手段が内蔵されている。この冷凍サイクル開閉手段は、冷媒圧力が所定値Ｃを超えたとき、冷凍サイクル１内と消火剤混合手段内とを連通させる連通路（つまり、分岐冷媒配管１３）を開放し、冷媒圧力が所定値Ｃよりも低い所定値Ｄを下回ったときに上記連通路を閉塞するものから構成されている。具体的には、消火剤混合器２１の消火剤混合兼冷媒放出路２２に、スプリング２３によって付勢された弁体２４を備えた冷媒圧力調整機構２５が直接内蔵されており、冷凍サイクル１内の冷媒圧力に応じて冷凍サイクルを開閉するように構成されている。冷凍サイクル１内の冷媒圧力が所定値Ｃである閾値を超えたときに、消火剤混合兼冷媒放出路２２が開放され、冷媒圧力が所定値Ｃよりも低い所定値Ｄを下回ったときには、該消火剤混合兼冷媒放出路２２は閉じられる。   FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of a fire extinguisher mixing means in a vehicle air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the solenoid valve as in the above embodiment is not provided, and the refrigeration cycle 1 is added to the extinguishing agent mixer 21 containing the extinguishing agent 16 as the extinguishing agent mixing means according to the refrigerant pressure in the refrigeration cycle 1. Built-in refrigeration cycle opening / closing means for opening / closing. When the refrigerant pressure exceeds a predetermined value C, the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means opens a communication path (that is, the branch refrigerant pipe 13) that connects the refrigeration cycle 1 and the extinguishing agent mixing means, and the refrigerant pressure is predetermined. When the value falls below a predetermined value D lower than the value C, the communication path is closed. Specifically, a refrigerant pressure adjusting mechanism 25 including a valve body 24 urged by a spring 23 is directly incorporated in the fire extinguisher mixing / refrigerant discharge path 22 of the fire extinguisher mixer 21. The refrigeration cycle is opened and closed according to the refrigerant pressure. When the refrigerant pressure in the refrigeration cycle 1 exceeds a threshold value that is a predetermined value C, the fire extinguisher mixing and refrigerant discharge path 22 is opened, and when the refrigerant pressure falls below a predetermined value D lower than the predetermined value C, the The fire extinguisher mixing and refrigerant discharge path 22 is closed.

このような構成を採用すれば、信号を受信／送信することなく、単に冷凍サイクル１内の冷媒圧力が予め設定された所定値である閾値を超えたときに、自動的にかつ機械的に冷凍サイクル１と消火剤混合手段の連通路（分岐冷媒配管１３）を開放することができ、可燃性冷媒を消火剤１６と混合させながら冷凍サイクル１外へ放出することが可能になる。したがって、極めて簡単な機構で、本発明が実施される。   If such a configuration is adopted, the refrigerant is automatically and mechanically refrigerated automatically when the refrigerant pressure in the refrigeration cycle 1 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, without receiving / transmitting a signal. The communication path (branch refrigerant pipe 13) between the cycle 1 and the extinguishing agent mixing means can be opened, and the combustible refrigerant can be discharged out of the refrigeration cycle 1 while being mixed with the extinguishing agent 16. Therefore, the present invention is implemented with a very simple mechanism.

本発明は、可燃性冷媒を使用するあらゆる車両用空調装置に適用でき、それによって、冷媒放出の際の安全性を大幅に高めることができる。   The present invention can be applied to any vehicle air conditioner that uses a flammable refrigerant, thereby greatly improving the safety when the refrigerant is discharged.

本発明の一実施態様に係る車両用空調装置の概略構成図である。It is a schematic block diagram of the vehicle air conditioner which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. 図１の装置の消化剤混合・放出部の概略縦断面図である。It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the digestive agent mixing and discharge | release part of the apparatus of FIG. 本発明の別の実施態様に係る車両用空調装置の消化剤混合・放出部の概略縦断面図である。It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the digestive agent mixing and discharge | release part of the vehicle air conditioner which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. 従来の一般的な車両用空調装置の概略構成図である。It is a schematic block diagram of the conventional general vehicle air conditioner.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１ 冷凍サイクル
２ 圧縮機
３ 凝縮器
４ 受液器
５ 膨張弁
６ 蒸発器
７ ダクト
８ 送風機
９ 冷媒漏洩認識手段としての冷媒漏洩センサ
１０ 冷媒圧力認識手段としての冷媒圧力センサ
１１ 車両衝突等認識手段としての車両衝突センサ
１２ メインコントローラ
１３ 分岐冷媒配管
１４ 電磁弁
１４ａ 開閉弁部
１４ｂ 電磁ソレノイド部分
１５ 消火剤混合手段としての消火剤混合器
１６ 消火剤
１７ 吸入管
２１ 冷媒漏洩認識手段としての消火剤混合器
２２ 消火剤混合兼冷媒放出路
２３ スプリング
２４ 弁体
２５ 冷媒圧力調整機構 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigeration cycle 2 Compressor 3 Condenser 4 Receiver 5 Expansion valve 6 Evaporator 7 Duct 8 Blower 9 Refrigerant leak sensor 10 as refrigerant leak recognition means Refrigerant pressure sensor 11 as refrigerant pressure recognition means As vehicle collision recognition means Vehicle collision sensor 12 Main controller 13 Branch refrigerant pipe 14 Solenoid valve 14a On-off valve part 14b Electromagnetic solenoid part 15 Extinguishing agent mixer 16 as extinguishing agent mixing means Extinguishing agent 17 Suction pipe 21 Extinguishing agent mixer as refrigerant leakage recognition means 22 Fire extinguisher mixing and refrigerant discharge path 23 Spring 24 Valve body 25 Refrigerant pressure adjustment mechanism

Claims (10)

冷凍サイクルと、該冷凍サイクル内の可燃性冷媒を消火剤と混合させながら冷凍サイクル外へ放出可能な消火剤混合手段とを有することを特徴とする車両用空調装置。   A vehicle air conditioner comprising: a refrigeration cycle; and a fire extinguisher mixing means capable of releasing the flammable refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle to the outside of the refrigeration cycle while mixing with a fire extinguisher. 冷凍サイクル内と消火剤混合手段との連通路を開閉可能な冷凍サイクル開閉手段と、該冷凍サイクル開閉手段を開閉操作可能な冷凍サイクル開閉操作手段と、冷凍サイクルからの冷媒の漏洩と相関のある物理量を認識または検知可能な冷媒漏洩認識手段とを有し、冷媒漏洩を認識したときに冷凍サイクル開閉操作手段により冷凍サイクル開閉手段を操作し、冷凍サイクル内の冷媒を消火剤混合手段を経由させることで消火剤と冷媒を混合させながら冷凍サイクル外へ放出する、請求項１の車両用空調装置。   Refrigeration cycle opening / closing means capable of opening / closing the communication path between the refrigeration cycle and the extinguishing agent mixing means, refrigeration cycle opening / closing operation means capable of opening / closing the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means, and refrigerant leakage from the refrigeration cycle A refrigerant leakage recognizing means capable of recognizing or detecting a physical quantity, and operating the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means by the refrigeration cycle opening / closing operation means when the refrigerant leakage is recognized, and causes the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle to pass through the fire extinguisher mixing means. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle air conditioner is discharged outside the refrigeration cycle while mixing the extinguishing agent and the refrigerant. 冷凍サイクル内と消火剤混合手段との連通路を開閉可能な冷凍サイクル開閉手段と、該冷凍サイクル開閉手段を開閉操作可能な冷凍サイクル開閉操作手段と、冷凍サイクル内の冷媒圧力に相関のある物理量を認識または検知可能な冷媒圧力認識手段とを有し、冷凍サイクル内の冷媒圧力が所定値Ａを超えたときに冷凍サイクル開閉操作手段により冷凍サイクル開閉手段を操作し、冷凍サイクル内の冷媒を消火剤混合手段を経由させることで消火剤と冷媒を混合させながら冷凍サイクル外へ放出する、請求項１の車両用空調装置。   Refrigeration cycle opening / closing means capable of opening / closing the communication path between the refrigeration cycle and the extinguishing agent mixing means, refrigeration cycle opening / closing operation means capable of opening / closing the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means, and physical quantities correlated to refrigerant pressure in the refrigeration cycle Refrigerant pressure recognizing means capable of recognizing or detecting the refrigerant. When the refrigerant pressure in the refrigeration cycle exceeds a predetermined value A, the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means is operated by the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means, and the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle is The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle air conditioner is discharged outside the refrigeration cycle while mixing the extinguishing agent and the refrigerant by passing through the extinguishing agent mixing means. 冷媒圧力が前記所定値Ａよりも低い所定値Ｂを下回ったときに冷凍サイクル開閉操作手段により冷凍サイクル開閉手段を操作し、冷凍サイクル内の冷媒放出を停止する、請求項３の車両用空調装置。   4. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein when the refrigerant pressure falls below a predetermined value B lower than the predetermined value A, the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means is operated by the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means to stop refrigerant discharge in the refrigeration cycle. . 冷凍サイクル内と消火剤混合手段との連通路を開閉可能な冷凍サイクル開閉手段と、該冷凍サイクル開閉手段を開閉操作可能な冷凍サイクル開閉操作手段と、冷凍サイクルからの冷媒の漏洩と相関のある物理量を認識または検知可能な冷媒漏洩認識手段と、冷凍サイクル内の冷媒圧力に相関のある物理量を認識または検知可能な冷媒圧力認識手段とを有し、冷媒漏洩を認識したときまたは冷媒圧力が所定値Ａを超えたとき、冷凍サイクル開閉操作手段により冷凍サイクル開閉手段を操作し、冷凍サイクル内の冷媒を消火剤混合手段を経由させることで消火剤と冷媒を混合させながら冷凍サイクル外へ放出する、請求項１の車両用空調装置。   Refrigeration cycle opening / closing means capable of opening / closing the communication path between the refrigeration cycle and the extinguishing agent mixing means, refrigeration cycle opening / closing operation means capable of opening / closing the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means, and refrigerant leakage from the refrigeration cycle Refrigerant leakage recognition means capable of recognizing or detecting a physical quantity and refrigerant pressure recognition means capable of recognizing or detecting a physical quantity correlated with the refrigerant pressure in the refrigeration cycle. When refrigerant leakage is recognized or the refrigerant pressure is predetermined When the value A is exceeded, the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means is operated by the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means, and the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle is discharged outside the refrigeration cycle while mixing the extinguishing agent and the refrigerant through the extinguishing agent mixing means. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1. 冷媒圧力が前記所定値Ａよりも低い所定値Ｂを下回ったときに冷凍サイクル開閉操作手段により冷凍サイクル開閉手段を操作し、冷凍サイクル内の冷媒放出を停止する、請求項５の車両用空調装置。   6. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein when the refrigerant pressure falls below a predetermined value B lower than the predetermined value A, the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means is operated by the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means to stop refrigerant discharge in the refrigeration cycle. . 冷凍サイクル内と消火剤混合手段との連通路を開閉可能な冷凍サイクル開閉手段と、該冷凍サイクル開閉手段を開閉操作可能な冷凍サイクル開閉操作手段と、車両衝突時等の衝撃エネルギーに相関のある物理量を認識または検知可能な車両衝突等認識手段とを有し、該車両衝突等認識手段の認識値が閾値を超えたときに冷凍サイクル開閉操作手段により冷凍サイクル開閉手段を操作し、冷凍サイクル内の冷媒を消火剤混合手段を経由させることで消火剤と冷媒を混合させながら冷凍サイクル外へ放出する、請求項１〜６のいずれかに記載の車両用空調装置。   Refrigeration cycle opening / closing means capable of opening / closing the communication path between the refrigeration cycle and the extinguishing agent mixing means, refrigeration cycle opening / closing operation means capable of opening / closing the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means, and correlation with impact energy at the time of vehicle collision, etc. A vehicle collision recognizing means capable of recognizing or detecting a physical quantity, and when the recognition value of the vehicle collision recognizing means exceeds a threshold value, the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means is operated by the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means, The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the refrigerant is discharged outside the refrigeration cycle while mixing the extinguishing agent and the refrigerant by passing through the extinguishing agent mixing means. 冷凍サイクル開閉操作手段により冷凍サイクル開閉手段を操作するための信号を送る手段を複数有し、各手段が個別の閾値を有する、請求項７の車両用空調装置。   The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 7, comprising a plurality of means for sending a signal for operating the refrigeration cycle opening / closing means by the refrigeration cycle opening / closing operation means, and each means has an individual threshold value. 前記冷凍サイクル開閉手段は電磁ソレノイドにより開閉弁を駆動するものからなり、かつ、電磁ソレノイドに通電することで開閉弁を開とするノーマルクローズ方式の開閉手段からなる、請求項２〜８のいずれかに記載の車両用空調装置。   9. The refrigeration cycle opening / closing means comprises an element that drives an opening / closing valve by an electromagnetic solenoid, and comprises a normally-closed opening / closing means that opens the opening / closing valve by energizing the electromagnetic solenoid. The vehicle air conditioner described in 1. 前記消火剤混合手段は、冷凍サイクル内の冷媒圧力に応じて冷凍サイクルを開閉する冷凍サイクル開閉手段を内蔵し、冷媒圧力が所定値Ｃを超えたとき、冷凍サイクル内と消火剤混合手段内とを連通させる連通路を開放し、冷媒圧力が前記所定値Ｃよりも低い所定値Ｄを下回ったときに前記連通路を閉塞するものからなる、請求項１の車両用空調装置。   The extinguishing agent mixing means incorporates a refrigeration cycle opening / closing means for opening / closing the refrigeration cycle in accordance with the refrigerant pressure in the refrigeration cycle, and when the refrigerant pressure exceeds a predetermined value C, 2. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, comprising: a communication passage that communicates the first and second communication passages, wherein the communication passage is closed when a refrigerant pressure falls below a predetermined value D lower than the predetermined value C. 3.
JP2004340468A 2004-11-25 2004-11-25 Air conditioner for vehicle Pending JP2006151016A (en)

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2009196556A (en) * 2008-02-22 2009-09-03 Denso Corp Refrigeration cycle device for vehicle
DE102015118716A1 (en) * 2015-11-02 2017-05-04 Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Ag Refrigeration circuit for a motor vehicle
CN108744348A (en) * 2018-07-12 2018-11-06 宁波奥克斯电气股份有限公司 A kind of air-conditioning automatic fire extinguisher and air conditioner
WO2019123918A1 (en) * 2017-12-18 2019-06-27 株式会社デンソー Vehicular air conditioning apparatus
CN116294325A (en) * 2021-12-20 2023-06-23 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 Control method and device of condensing unit and condensing unit

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2009196556A (en) * 2008-02-22 2009-09-03 Denso Corp Refrigeration cycle device for vehicle
JP4665976B2 (en) * 2008-02-22 2011-04-06 株式会社デンソー Refrigeration cycle equipment for vehicles
US8082746B2 (en) 2008-02-22 2011-12-27 Denso Corporation Refrigeration cycle device for vehicle
DE102015118716A1 (en) * 2015-11-02 2017-05-04 Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Ag Refrigeration circuit for a motor vehicle
WO2019123918A1 (en) * 2017-12-18 2019-06-27 株式会社デンソー Vehicular air conditioning apparatus
JP2019107969A (en) * 2017-12-18 2019-07-04 株式会社デンソー Air conditioner for vehicle
JP7000837B2 (en) 2017-12-18 2022-01-19 株式会社デンソー Vehicle air conditioner
CN108744348A (en) * 2018-07-12 2018-11-06 宁波奥克斯电气股份有限公司 A kind of air-conditioning automatic fire extinguisher and air conditioner
CN116294325A (en) * 2021-12-20 2023-06-23 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 Control method and device of condensing unit and condensing unit

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