Blower assembly for a vehicle air conditioning unit and method for operating a vehicle air conditioning unit

Abstract

A blower assembly for a vehicle air conditioning unit includes a first air flow duct having a first blower and a second air flow duct having a second blower. A fresh-air inlet opening is arranged in the first air flow duct and a recirculated-air inlet opening is arranged in the second air flow duct. A distribution chamber is downstream of the first and second air flow ducts and an air cooling unit and a bypass duct bypassing the air cooling unit are downstream of the distribution chamber. A bypass flap is in the distribution chamber for directing at least a part of the air flow in the first air flow duct to the air cooling unit and/or to the bypass duct with substantially all of the air flow in the first air flow duct directed into the bypass duct in one position of the bypass flap.

Claims

1. A blower assembly (10) for a vehicle air conditioning unit, the blower assembly (10) comprising: a first air flow duct (12), in which a first blower (14) is arranged, a second air flow duct (16), in which a second blower (18) is arranged, wherein the first air flow duct (12) comprises a fresh-air inlet opening (20) upstream of the first blower (14) and the second air flow duct (16) comprises a recirculated-air inlet opening (26) upstream of the second blower (18), a distribution chamber (39) located downstream of the first and second air flow ducts (12, 16), an air cooling unit (40) and a bypass duct (42) bypassing the air cooling unit (40) located downstream of the distribution chamber (39), and a bypass flap (44) arranged in the distribution chamber (39), with the bypass flap (44) directing at least a part of the air flow in the first air flow duct (12) to the air cooling unit (40) and/or to the bypass duct (42), wherein the bypass flap (44) directs substantially all of the air flow in the first air flow duct (12) into the bypass duct (42) in one position of the bypass flap (44), further comprising a closable transfer opening (30) which forms a connection between the first and second air flow ducts (12, 16) when the closable transfer opening (30) is open, further comprising a flap system (32) which controls a flow of fresh air through the fresh-air inlet opening (20) into the first air flow duct (12), a flow of recirculated air through the recirculated-air inlet opening (26) into the second air flow duct (16) and a flow of transfer air between the two air flow ducts (12, 16) through the transfer opening (30), wherein the flap system (32) has a fresh-air flap (34) at the fresh-air inlet opening (20), a recirculated-air flap (36) at the recirculated-air inlet opening (26) and/or a transfer flap (38) at the transfer opening (30), and wherein the flap system (32) has a common flap (48) for at least two openings which is different than the fresh-air flap (34) and the recirculated-air flap (36).

2. The blower assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a filter (24) is provided between the fresh-air inlet opening (20) and the first blower (14) in the first air flow duct (12) a filter (28) is provided between the recirculated-air inlet opening (26) and the second blower (18) in the second air flow duct (16).

3. The blower assembly (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the two filters (24, 28) are formed by a common filter element or by individual filter elements.

4. The blower assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second blowers (14, 18) are in the form of a twin blower.

5. A vehicle air conditioning unit (100) having a blower assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1.

6. A blower assembly (10) for a vehicle air conditioning unit, the blower assembly (10) comprising: a first air flow duct (12), in which a first blower (14) is arranged, a second air flow duct (16), in which a second blower (18) is arranged, wherein the first air flow duct (12) comprises a fresh-air inlet opening (20) upstream of the first blower (14) and the second air flow duct (16) comprises a recirculated-air inlet opening (26) upstream of the second blower (18), a closable transfer opening (30) which forms a connection between the first and second air flow ducts (12, 16) when the closable transfer opening (30) is open, and a flap system (32) which controls a flow of fresh air through the fresh-air inlet opening (20) into the first air flow duct (12), a flow of recirculated air through the recirculated-air inlet opening (26) into the second air flow duct (16) and a flow of transfer air between the two air flow ducts (12, 16) through the transfer opening (30), wherein the flap system (32) has a common flap (48) for at least two openings which is different than a fresh-air flap (34) and a re-circulated air flap (36).

7. A method for operating a vehicle air conditioning unit (100) having a blower assembly (10), wherein the blower assembly (10) comprises: a first air flow duct (12), in which a first blower (14) is arranged, a second air flow duct (16), in which a second blower (18) is arranged, wherein the first air flow duct (12) comprises a fresh-air inlet opening (20) upstream of the first blower (14) and the second air flow duct (16) comprises a recirculated-air inlet opening (26) upstream of the second blower (18), a distribution chamber (39) located downstream of the first and second air flow ducts (12, 16), an air cooling unit (40) and a bypass duct (42) bypassing the air cooling unit (40) located downstream of the distribution chamber (39), and a bypass flap (44) arranged in the distribution chamber (39), with the bypass flap (44) directing at least a part of the air flow in the first air flow duct (12) to the air cooling unit (40) and/or to the bypass duct (42), wherein the bypass flap (44) directs substantially all of the air flow in the first air flow duct (12) into the bypass duct (42) in one position of the bypass flap (44), and further comprises a closable transfer opening (30) which forms a connection between the first and second air flow ducts (12, 16) when the closable transfer opening (30) is open, and further comprises a flap system (32) which controls a flow of fresh air through the fresh-air inlet opening (20) into the first air flow duct (12), a flow of recirculated air through the recirculated-air inlet opening (26) into the second air flow duct (16) and a flow of transfer air between the two air flow ducts (12, 16) through the transfer opening (30), wherein the flap system (32) has a fresh-air flap (34) at the fresh-air inlet opening (20), a recirculated-air flap (36) at the recirculated-air inlet opening (26) and/or a transfer flap (38) at the transfer opening (30), and wherein the flap system (32) has a common flap (48) for at least two openings which is different than the fresh-air flap (34) and the recirculated-air flap (36), the method comprising the method steps of: determining at least one air quality parameter of supplied fresh air and/or recirculated air; selecting an operating mode of the vehicle air conditioning unit (100) depending on the at least one air quality parameter; optionally drawing in fresh air or recirculated air in the first and/or second air flow duct (12, 16) depending on the selected operating mode; cooling and drying the air flowing through the second air flow duct (16) in the air cooling unit (40) with the second air flow duct (16) open; optionally cooling and drying the air flowing through the first air flow duct (12) in the air cooling unit (40) or directing the air flowing through the first air flow duct past the air cooling unit (40) depending on the selected operating mode with the first air flow duct (12) open; and mixing the air flowing through the first and second air flow ducts (12, 16) to form a common air flow.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein, at cold outside temperatures, the method further comprises the following steps: drawing in exclusively fresh air via the first air flow duct (12) and recirculated air via the second air flow duct (16) and directing the air flowing through the first air flow duct (12) past the air cooling unit (40).

9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein in one operating mode, the method further comprises the following steps: drawing in fresh air and/or recirculated air via the first air flow duct (12) and recirculated air via the second air flow duct (16), and directing the air flowing through the first air flow duct (12) past the air cooling unit (40), wherein mixing ratios of fresh air and recirculated air are selected such that the required energy for reheating the common air flow is minimized.

10. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein in one operating mode, the method further comprises the following steps: drawing in fresh air and/or recirculated air via the first air flow duct (12) and recirculated air via the second air flow duct (16), and directing at least a part of the air flowing through the first air flow duct (12) past the air cooling unit (40), wherein mixing ratios of fresh air and recirculated air or of that portion of the air flowing through the first air flow duct that is directed past the air cooling unit (40) are selected such that the required energy for reheating the common air flow is minimized.

11. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising the step of operating the air cooling unit (40) as part of a heat pump, wherein the heat obtained in the air cooling unit (40) is used to reheat the common air flow.

12. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein in one operating mode, the method further comprises following steps: drawing in fresh air via both air flow ducts (12, 16), and cooling and drying the fresh air by way of the air cooling unit (40).

13. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein in one operating mode, the method further comprises following steps: drawing in fresh air and/or recirculated air via the first air flow duct (12), recirculated air via the second air flow duct (16), and cooling and drying the air flows in both air flow ducts (12, 16) by means of the air cooling unit (40).

Description

(1) Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and from the drawings, to which reference is made and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a blower assembly according to the invention according to a first embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows the blower assembly according to FIG. 1 in a first operating mode;

(4) FIG. 3 shows the blower assembly according to FIG. 1 in a second operating mode;

(5) FIG. 4 shows the blower assembly according to FIG. 1 in a third operating mode;

(6) FIG. 5 shows the blower assembly according to FIG. 1 in a fourth operating mode;

(7) FIG. 6 shows the blower assembly according to FIG. 1 in a fifth operating mode;

(8) FIG. 7 shows the blower assembly according to FIG. 1 in a sixth operating mode;

(9) FIG. 8 shows a blower assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

(10) FIG. 9 shows a vehicle air conditioning unit according to the invention.

(11) A first embodiment of a blower assembly 10 for a vehicle air conditioning unit in FIG. 1 comprises a first air flow duct 12, in which a first blower 14 is arranged, and a second air flow duct 16, in which a second blower 18 is arranged. In the embodiment shown, the first blower 14 and the second blower 18 are in the form of a twin blower, which has a common drive motor. However, it is also possible for the two blowers 14, 18 to be in the form of separate blowers.

(12) The first air flow duct 12 is connected via a fresh-air inlet opening 20 to a fresh air duct 22, which forms a connection to the exterior of the vehicle for the supply of fresh air.

(13) Arranged between the fresh-air inlet opening 20 and the first blower 14 is a first filter 24.

(14) The second air flow duct 16 is connected via a recirculated-air inlet opening 26 to a recirculated air duct, which leads into the interior of the vehicle and thus allows air to be drawn in from the vehicle interior.

(15) A second filter 28 is provided between the recirculated-air inlet opening 26 and the second blower 18 in the second air flow duct 16.

(16) In the embodiment shown, the filters 24, 28 in the first and second air flow ducts 12, 16 are in the form of individual filter elements which are integrated into a common assembly. In this way, optimum separation between the first and second air flow ducts 12, 16 is made possible even in the region of the filters 24, 28, while easy replacement of the filters 24, 28 is made possible by the common assembly. However, it is also possible for the filters 24, 28 to be formed by individual separate filter elements or by a common filter element.

(17) An optionally closable transfer opening 30 optionally forms a connection between the first and second air flow ducts 12, 16. In the embodiment shown, the transfer opening 30 is arranged upstream of the two blowers 14, 18 of the two air flow ducts 12, 16 and also preferably upstream of the filters 24, 28.

(18) There is provided a flap system 32, which controls a flow of fresh air through the fresh-air inlet opening into the first air flow duct 12, a flow of recirculated air through the recirculated-air inlet opening 26 into the second air flow duct 16, and a flow of transfer air between the two air flow ducts 12, 16 through the transfer opening 30. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the flap system 32 has a fresh-air flap 34 at the fresh-air inlet opening 20, a recirculated-air flap 36 at the recirculated-air inlet opening 26 and a transfer flap 38 at the transfer opening 30. The fresh-air flap 34, recirculated-air flap 36 and transfer flap 38 are each in the form of butterfly valves. However, is also possible for other types of flaps to be provided.

(19) Provided downstream of the first and second air flow ducts 12, 16 is a distribution chamber 39.

(20) Provided downstream of the distribution chamber 39 is an air cooling unit 40 and a bypass duct 42 bypassing the air cooling unit 40.

(21) The air cooling unit 40 makes it possible to cool the air flowing through it, wherein humidity contained in the air can condense at the air cooling unit 40 and flow away, with in particular drying of the air being made possible as a result.

(22) In the embodiment shown, the air cooling unit 40 is an evaporator which is part of a coolant circuit which can be operated as a heat pump. However, another type of air cooling unit 40 can also be provided, for example a heat exchanger which is operated with a liquid coolant.

(23) In the distribution chamber 39 there is a bypass valve 44, which directs at least a part of the air flow in the first air flow duct 12 optionally to the air cooling unit 40 or to the bypass duct 42. There is provided a position of the bypass flap 44 in which substantially all of the air flow in the first air flow duct 12 is directed into the bypass duct 42.

(24) The distribution chamber 39 is formed such that substantially all of the air flow in the second air flow duct 16 is directed to the air cooling unit 40.

(25) The first and second air flow ducts 12, 16 are formed in an air-inlet housing 46. The air-inlet housing 46 forms two intake chambers which are assigned to the two air flow ducts 12, 16. A fresh-air intake chamber is assigned to the first air flow duct 12 and has the fresh-air inlet opening 20, while a recirculated-air intake chamber is assigned to the second air flow duct and has the recirculated-air inlet opening 26. A dividing wall is provided between the two intake chambers, the transfer opening 30 being arranged in said dividing wall.

(26) FIGS. 2 to 7 show various operating modes of the vehicle air conditioning unit, which are controlled by different positions of the flaps of the flap system 32 and the bypass flap 42.

(27) FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of the blower assembly 10, which is formed substantially analogously to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The only difference is in the formation of the flap system 32, in which there is provided a common flap 48, which is assigned to the recirculated-air inlet opening 26 and the transfer opening 30. There are provided in particular three positions of the common flap 48, wherein in a first position, the recirculated-air inlet opening 26 is completely open and the transfer opening is completely closed, a second position, in which the recirculated-air inlet opening 26 is completely closed and the transfer opening 30 is completely open, and a third position, in which both the recirculated-air inlet opening 26 and the transfer opening 30 are completely open. In the embodiment shown, the common flap 48 is in the form of a cylinder or barrel valve.

(28) Alternatively, it would also be possible to provide a common flap which is assigned to the fresh-air inlet opening 20 and the transfer opening 30 or to a further flap combination.

(29) FIG. 9 shows a vehicle air conditioning unit 100 having a blower assembly 10 according to FIG. 8. Downstream of the blower assembly 10, the common air flow of the blower assembly 10 is divided into a cold air duct 110 and a hot air duct 120. In the hot air duct 120 there is provided an air heating unit 130, which makes it possible to heat the air flow in the hot air duct 120.

(30) In the exemplary embodiment shown, the air heating unit 130 is a condenser, which is integrated into a coolant circuit 140 together with the air cooling unit 40, in the form of an evaporator, of the blower assembly 10. The coolant circuit 140 can be operated as a heat pump, wherein the coolant picks up heat in the air cooling unit 40 and emits heat to the air flowing through in the air heating unit 130.

(31) A method for operating the vehicle air conditioning unit 100 having a blower assembly 10 according to FIG. 1 is described in the following text with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7, each of which shows a different operating mode.

(32) In a first method step, at least one air quality parameter of supplied fresh air and/or recirculated air is determined. For example, the temperature of the fresh air, i.e. the outside temperature, is determined. However, other parameters or a plurality of parameters, for example the outside temperature and the outside humidity, can also be determined.

(33) Subsequently, an operating mode of the vehicle air conditioning unit 100 is selected depending on the at least one air quality parameter. The selection takes place preferably depending on the outside temperature. The temperature ranges of different operating modes can also overlap. At outside temperatures in such an overlapping range, the selection takes place according to a further parameter, in particular the humidity.

(34) Depending on the selected operating mode, optionally fresh air or recirculated air is drawn in in the first and/or second air flow duct.

(35) The air flowing through the second air flow duct 16 is cooled and dried in the air cooling unit 40 with the second air flow duct 16 open.

(36) Depending on the selected operating mode, with the first air flow duct 12 open, optionally the air flowing through the first air flow duct 12 is cooled and dried in the air cooling unit 40 or is guided past the air cooling unit 40.

(37) Subsequently, the air flowing through the first and second air flow ducts is mixed to form a common air flow.

(38) In a first operating mode, which is shown in FIG. 2, the fresh-air inlet opening 20 and the recirculated-air inlet opening 26 are open, while the transfer opening is completely closed. In this way, fresh air is drawn in in the first air flow duct 12, while recirculated air is drawn in in the second air flow duct 16. Since the transfer opening 30 is closed, it is not possible for fresh air and recirculated air to mix upstream of the blowers 14, 18. The bypass flap 44 is set in the first operating mode such that the air flow in the first air flow duct 12 is directed to the bypass duct 42 and thus past the air cooling unit 40.

(39) The first operating mode is advantageous in particular at cold outside temperatures, for example less than/equal to 5 C. At these outside temperatures, cold and dry fresh air which requires no additional drying is drawn in in the first air flow duct 12. The recirculated air from the vehicle interior is by contrast hot and has a relatively high level of humidity and has to be dried, since otherwise condensation on the vehicle windows and a corresponding visibility impairment can occur.

(40) The recirculated air in the second air flow duct 16 runs through the air cooling unit 40 for drying, wherein the recirculated air emits its heat to the coolant in the air cooling unit 40 and the humidity in the air cooling unit 40 condenses and can subsequently flow away.

(41) Downstream of the air cooling unit 40, the air flows of the first and second air flow ducts 12, 16 are mixed to form a common air flow. In the process, the cold, dry fresh air is mixed with the cooled, dried recirculated air.

(42) Subsequently, the common air flow is directed through the hot air duct of the vehicle air conditioning unit 100 and the air heating unit 130 and is heated to the desired temperature.

(43) With the coolant circuit 140 being operated as a heat pump, the heat previously removed from the hot recirculated air can be emitted to the common air flow and thus energy can be saved. On account of the separation of the cold fresh air and hot recirculated air in the first and second air flow ducts 12, 16, the heat pump can be operated optimally. However, if the recirculated air were to be mixed with the fresh air before running through the air cooling unit 40, an average temperature and humidity would be set, and as a result the effect of the heat pump would be reduced.

(44) FIG. 3 shows a second operating mode, in which the recirculated-air inlet opening 26 and the transfer opening 30 are open, while the fresh-air inlet opening 20 is closed. In this way, recirculated air is drawn in both in the first and in the second air flow duct 12, 16. This operating mode is advantageous in particular for average outside temperatures, for example between 5 C. and 20 C.

(45) It is only possible to operate the air cooling unit 40 at temperatures below a maximum temperature, since at higher temperatures unpleasant smells and microbial growth can occur in the condensate of the air cooling unit 40. The recirculated air flow in the first air flow duct 12 is directed past the air cooling unit 40 via the bypass duct 42.

(46) Therefore, it is possible in the corresponding temperature range that, on account of the maximum temperature of the air cooling unit 40, the recirculated air in the second air flow duct 16 has to be cooled and dried further than is optimally required in terms of energy.

(47) With the cooled recirculated air in the air flow of the second air flow duct 16 being mixed with the hot recirculated air in the air flow of the first air flow duct 12 downstream of the air cooling unit 40 to form a common air flow, an average temperature and humidity of the common air flow is set. In this way, the required energy for reheating the air flow in the hot air duct 120 of the vehicle air conditioning unit 100 can be reduced and preferably saved on completely.

(48) FIG. 4 shows a variant of the operating mode in FIG. 3, wherein the fresh-air inlet opening 20 is at least partially open, with the result that a mixture of fresh air and recirculated air is drawn in in the first air flow duct 12. In this way, the air quality, in particular the oxygen content, in the vehicle interior can be improved, in particular in the event of relatively long operation in recirculated air mode. The degree of opening of the fresh-air inlet opening 20 and of the transfer opening 30 can in this case be adapted as desired to the required temperature and air quality demands.

(49) FIG. 5 shows a fourth operating mode, in which fresh air is drawn in in both air flow ducts 12, 16 and is cooled and dried by the air cooling unit 40. In this case, the fresh-air inlet opening 20 and the transfer opening 30 are completely open, while the recirculated-air inlet opening 26 is closed. The bypass flap 44 is in the position which directs the air flow in the first air flow duct 12 to the air cooling unit 40.

(50) This operating mode is advantageous in particular at warm outside temperatures, for example between 15 C. and 25 C. On account of fresh air being drawn in, good air quality in the interior of the vehicle is ensured. With fresh air being drawn in via both air flow ducts 12, 16, the blowers 14, 18 can be operated at optimum power.

(51) A fifth operating mode is illustrated in FIG. 6, in which recirculated air is drawn in in the first air flow duct 12 and in the second air flow duct 16 and the air flows in both air flow ducts 12, 16 are cooled and dried by the air cooling unit 40. This operating mode is advantageous in particular at hot outside temperatures, for example over 25 C., since at these outside temperatures the fresh air has to be cooled excessively greatly. The fresh-air inlet opening 20 is closed, while the recirculated-air inlet opening 26 and the transfer opening 30 are completely open. The bypass flap 44 is set, analogously to the previous operating mode, such that the air flow in the first air flow duct 12 is directed to the air cooling unit 40. In this way, the cooler recirculated air is drawn in at full power of the two blowers 14, 18 and is cooled in the air cooling unit 40.

(52) FIG. 7 shows a variant of the fifth operating mode, wherein the fresh-air inlet opening 20 is at least partially open, and as a result a mixture of fresh air and recirculated air is drawn in in the first air flow duct 12, in order to ensure sufficient air quality in the vehicle interior in particular in the case of a relatively long operating time. Analogously to the operating mode described in FIG. 4, the degree of opening of the fresh-air inlet opening 20 and of the transfer opening 30 can be adapted to the corresponding temperature and air quality demands.