AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM FOR COOLING AND DRYING AIR IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF VEHICLE

Abstract

An air-conditioning system for conditioning air in a vehicle passenger compartment is configured to operate in a cooling system mode for cooling air to be supplied to the passenger compartment and in a heat pump mode for heating the same, and to operate in a reheating mode. The air-conditioning system includes a housing having a first flow channel and a second flow channel for guiding air to an air distribution system having discharge ports communicating with the passenger compartment, and a refrigerant circulation system having at least two heat exchangers. In this case, the first heat exchanger that operates as an evaporator regardless of operating modes is disposed in the first flow channel, and the second heat exchanger that operates as a condenser/gas cooler regardless of operating modes is disposed in the second flow channel.

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. An air-conditioning system for conditioning air in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the air-conditioning system configured to operate in a cooling system mode for cooling the air to be supplied to the passenger compartment and in a heat pump mode for heating the air to be supplied to the passenger compartment, and to operate in a reheating mode, the air-conditioning system comprising: a housing having a first flow channel and a second flow channel guiding the air to an air distribution system having discharge ports communicating with the passenger compartment; and a refrigerant circulation system having at least two heat exchangers, wherein a first one of the heat exchangers is disposed in the first flow channel, a second one of the heat exchangers is disposed in the second flow channel, the first one of the heat exchangers formed and operable as an evaporator regardless of an operating mode, and the second one of the heat exchangers is formed and operable as a condenser/gas cooler regardless of the operating mode, wherein at least one flow path is formed to directly introduce an air mass flow into the passenger compartment, the at least one flow path extending to the discharge ports from one of the first one of the heat exchangers and the second one of the heat exchanger so that the air mass flow is conditioned by the one of the first one of the heat exchangers and the second one of the heat exchangers and is then immediately guided to the discharge ports.

13. The air-conditioning system according to claim 12, wherein the at least one flow path for directly introducing the air mass flow into the passenger compartment is formed as a cold-air flow path, wherein the cold-air flow path is a portion of the first flow channel and extends to an in-dashboard discharge port for directly blowing the air to an occupant in the passenger compartment from a region formed next to the evaporator in a flow direction of the air, and wherein the air mass flow is conditioned by the evaporator and immediately guided to the in-dashboard discharge port at a temperature different from the air mass flow guided to a front window-side discharge port and a discharge port communicating with legroom.

14. The air-conditioning system according to claim 13, wherein the cold-air flow path has an air guide device to control an opening degree of the cold-air flow path, and wherein the air guide device is continuously adjustable between two end positions of a “fully closed state” and a “fully opened state”.

15. The air-conditioning system according to claim 12, wherein the at least one flow path for directly introducing the air mass flow into the passenger compartment is formed as a hot-air flow path, wherein the hot-air flow path is a portion of the second flow channel and extends to a discharge port communicating with legroom from a region formed next to the condenser in a flow direction of the air so the air mass flow is conditioned by the condenser and immediately guided to the discharge port communicating with the legroom, and has a temperature different from the air mass flow guided to a front window-side discharge port and an in-dashboard discharge port for directly blowing the air to an occupant in the passenger compartment.

16. The air-conditioning system according to claim 15, wherein the hot-air flow path has an air guide device to control an opening degree of the hot-air flow path, and wherein the air guide device is continuously adjustable between two end positions in a “fully closed state” and a “fully opened state”.

17. The air-conditioning system according to claim 12, wherein the first flow channel is formed next to the evaporator in a flow direction of the air, wherein the first flow channel is divided into a first cold-air flow path with a first air guide device, a second cold-air flow path with a second air guide device, and the at least one flow path with a third air guide device directly introducing the air mass flow into the passenger compartment, thereby enabling the air mass flow conditioned through the first flow channel to be divided into partial air mass flows at positions of the first air guide device, the second air guide device, and the third air guide device, a first partial air mass flow guidable to the air distribution system through the first cold-air flow path, a second partial air mass flow is guidable out of the housing through the second cold-air flow path, and a third partial air mass flow is immediately guidable to an in-dashboard discharge port through the at least one flow path.

18. The air-conditioning system according to claim 12, wherein the second flow channel is formed next to the condenser in a flow direction of the air, wherein the second flow channel is divided into a first hot-air flow path with a first air guide device, a second hot-air flow path (15) with a second air guide device, and the at least one flow path with a third air guide device directly introducing an air mass flow into the passenger compartment, thereby enabling the air mass flow conditioned through the second flow channel to be divided into partial air mass flows at positions of the first air guide device, the second air guide device, and the third air guide device, a first partial air mass flow is guidable to the air distribution system through the first hot-air flow path, a second partial air mass flow is guidable out of the housing through the second hot-air flow path, and a third partial air mass flow is immediately guidable to a discharge port communicating with legroom through the at least one flow path.

19. A method of operating an air-conditioning system for operating in both a cooling system mode and a heat pump mode for cooling and heating air in a passenger compartment of a vehicle and for operating in a reheating mode, the method comprising steps of: transferring at least two air mass flows in a housing of the air-conditioning system; cooling or dehumidifying a first one of the at least two air mass flows when the first one of the at least two air mass flows excessively flows in an evaporator of a refrigerant circulation system; dividing the first one of the at least two air mass flows into at least two partial cold-air mass flows, wherein the first one of the at least two air mass flows is divided in a range of 0% to 100%, a first one of the at least two partial cold-air mass flows is guided to an air distribution system in the passenger compartment, and a second one of the at least two partial cold-air mass flows is immediately guided to an in-dashboard discharge port through a cold-air flow path and then guided to the passenger compartment; heating a second one of the at least two air mass flows when the second one of the at least two air mass flows excessively flows in a condenser of the refrigerant circulation system, the second one of the at least two air mass flows guided to the air distribution system in the passenger compartment; mixing the first one of the at least two partial cold-air mass flows with the second one of the at least two air mass flows guided to the air distribution system in the passenger compartment; and introducing the first one of the at least two partial cold-air mass flows and the second one of the at least two air mass flows after mixing into the passenger compartment.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the first one of the at least two air mass flows is divided in a range of 0% to 100% into a partial air mass flow guided outside and the at least two partial cold-air mass flows.

21. A method of operating an air-conditioning system for operating in both a cooling system mode and a heat pump mode for cooling and heating air in a passenger compartment of a vehicle and for operating in a reheating mode, the method comprising steps of: transferring at least two air mass flows in a housing of the air-conditioning system; cooling or dehumidifying a first one of the at least two air mass flows when the first one of the at least two air mass flows excessively flows in an evaporator of a refrigerant circulation system, the first one of the at least two air mass flows guided to an air distribution system in the passenger compartment; heating a second one of the at least two air mass flows when the second one of the at least two air mass flows excessively flows in a condenser of the refrigerant circulation system; dividing the second one of the at least two air mass flows into at least two partial hot-air mass flows, wherein the second one of the at least two air mass flows is divided in a range of 0% to 100%, a first one of the at least two partial hot-air mass flows is guided to the air distribution system in the passenger compartment and a second one of the at least two partial hot-air mass flows is immediately guided to a discharge port communicating with legroom through a hot-air flow path and then guided to the passenger compartment; mixing the first one of the at least two partial hot-air mass flows with the first one of the at least two air mass flows guided to the air distribution system in the passenger compartment; and introducing the first one of the at least two partial hot-air mass flows and the first one of the at least two air mass flows after mixing into the passenger compartment.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the second one of the at least two air mass flows is divided in a range of 0% to 100% into a partial air mass flow guided outside and the at least two partial hot-air mass flows.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0044] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, a compact air-conditioning system being illustrated in the drawings, in which:

[0045] FIG. 1A to 1C are views illustrating an air-conditioning system having two flow channels, air guide devices, an evaporator, and a condenser during operation in different operating modes;

[0046] FIG. 2A is a view illustrating the air-conditioning system of FIGS. 1A to 1C, having an additional cold-air flow path for directly introducing and guiding cooled and/or dehumidified air to a passenger compartment;

[0047] FIG. 2B is a view illustrating the air-conditioning system of FIG. 2A, having an additional cold-air flow path extending between the evaporator and an in-dashboard discharge port for direct introduction of air, and an air distribution system in the passenger compartment; and

[0048] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the air-conditioning system of FIGS. 1A to 1C, having an additional hot-air flow path extending between the condenser and a discharge port communicating with the passenger compartment for directly introducing and guiding heated air to the passenger compartment, and an air distribution system in the passenger compartment.

BEST MODE FOR INVENTION

[0049] FIG. 1A to 1C illustrate an air-conditioning system 1 according to the related art, which includes a housing 2 having a first flow channel 3 and a second flow channel 4. In this case, blowers 5 and 6 are assigned to the respective flow channels 3 and 4, and fresh air introduced from the outside, a recirculation air in a passenger compartment 9, or a mixture thereof may be supplied to the channels. FIG. 1A illustrates the air-conditioning system 1 during operation in a cooling system mode, FIG. 1B illustrates the air-conditioning system 1 during operation in a reheating mode, and FIG. 1C illustrates the air-conditioning system 1 during operation in a heat pump mode.

[0050] An evaporator 7 is disposed in the first flow channel 3, and a condenser 8a and 8b is disposed in the second flow channel 4. In this case, both are parts of a refrigerant circulation system (not shown) of the air-conditioning system 1, and are formed as heat exchangers to which air is supplied. The condenser may consist of a single part, or may consist of two separated parts as illustrated in the drawings. In this case, the evaporator 7 occupies the flow cross-section of the first flow channel 3. The condenser 8a and 8b is arranged so as to overlap with the flow channels, and has two regions. The first region is arranged in the second flow channel 4 so as to cover the overall flow cross-section, and has a higher heat transfer surface than the second region. The second region of the condenser 8a and 8b may be arranged in the first flow channel 3 or in the second flow channel 4, as needed and depending on the operating mode of the air-conditioning system 1. In this case, the second region of the condenser 8a and 8b may be arranged in a flow path 13 of the first flow channel 1 (particularly, illustrated in FIG. 1B), and the second region may occupy the overall flow cross-section of the flow path 13, the size of which is variable.

[0051] The first and second flow channels 3 and 4 are separated from each other by a partition wall 10, two additional air guide devices 21 and 22 as movable flaps, and stationary air guide devices 23 and 24 as air baffles. The matched air guide devices 21 and 22, and the air baffles 23 and 24, which are aligned parallel to the partition wall 10 in the cooling system mode of FIGS. 1A and 1n the heat pump mode of FIG. 1C, form air guide devices for the condenser 8a and 8b. The air guide devices 21 and 22 and the air baffles 23 and 24 serve to prevent the air mass flow in the first flow channel 3 and the air mass flow in the second flow channel 4, which are cooled and conditioned when the air flows through the evaporator 7, from mixing with each other. The air baffles 23 and 24, which protrude into the second flow channel 4 and are distant from the partition wall 10, each have an increased length. The more the air baffles 23 and 24 are distant from the partition wall 10, the greater the respective length of each of the air baffles 23 and 24. In this case, the lengths of the air baffles 23 and 24 increase in such a manner that the overall arrangement ends of the air baffles 23 and 24 form two recessed surfaces. The surfaces are curved respectively in the same manner to draw circular arcs about the axes aligned parallel to the surfaces. The centers of the circular arcs refer to axes, respectively, and the rectangular surfaces are curved about the axes. In this case, the axes correspond to the rotary axes of the movable air guide devices 21 and 22. The radii of the surfaces, which are curved in the form of circular arc, correspond to the longitudinal extension parts of the air guide devices 21 and 22. That is, the radii of the surfaces correspond to the extension parts of the movable air guide devices 21 and 22 in the direction of the mass flows of air passing through the flow channels 3 and 4.

[0052] The pivotable air guide devices 21 and 22 are aligned such that the side edges thereof, which are distant from the rotary axes and face each other, are concavely curved and directed toward surfaces that stretch from the ends of the air baffles 23 and 24. For free movement of the air guide devices 21 and 22, a gap having a minimum width is present between the side edge of each of the air guide devices 21 and 22 and the associated surface. The gap has no influence on or has a slight influence on the mass flow of air. The air guide devices 21 and 22 simultaneously rotate about the respective rotary axes in opposite directions, thereby enabling the ratio between the regions of the condenser 8a and 8b to be adjusted in the first and second flow channels 3 and 4. In this case, the regions of the condenser 8a and 8b may be continuously divided. In order to the air mass flow to flow along the sequential flow surface, the air guide devices 21 and 22 rotates, and are then aligned such that the side edges thereof, which are parallel to the rotary axes and are distant therefrom to face each other, face the ends of the air baffles 23 and 24. The leakage flow, which occurs at the intermediate positions of the air guide devices 21 and 22 relative to the air baffles 23 and 24, is negligible. The intermediate positions mean positions of the air guide devices 21 and 22 in which the side edges of the air guide devices 21 and 22 do not exactly face the edges of the air baffles 23 and 24, but rather are disposed between both air baffles 23 and 24.

[0053] Air mass flows having different rates are supplied to the first flow channel 3 with the evaporator 7 and the second flow channel 4 with the condenser 8a and 8b, and the first and second flow channels enable the air mass flows to rapidly respond to the changed operating conditions. Therefore, the individually adjustable blowers 5 and 6 bring about the advantageous dynamics of the air-conditioning system 1. The blower 5 in the first flow channel 3 guides air, which is introduced in a flow direction 25a, as an air mass flow, to the evaporator 7. The air mass flow is cooled and/or dehumidified when excessively flowing in the evaporator 7. The cold-air mass flow discharged from the evaporator 7 is divided, at a required ratio, into a partial air mass flow, which flows to the outside through a cold-air flow path 11 referred to as an exhaust channel 11 in a flow direction 26b, and a partial air mass flow, which flows to the passenger compartment 9 through a cold-air flow path 12 in a flow direction 26a, or is entirely assigned to one 11 or 12 of the cold-air flow paths. The cold-air mass flow is divided by air guide devices 17 and 18 as flaps.

[0054] Similar to the blower 5, the blower 6 sucks air in a flow direction 25b and then guides the sucked air, as an air mass flow, to the condenser 8a and 8b. The air mass flow is heated when excessively flowing in the condenser 8a and 8b. The hot-air mass flow discharged from the condenser 8a and 8b is divided, at a required ratio, into a partial air mass flow, which flows to the outside through a hot-air flow path 15 in a flow direction 27b, and a partial air mass flow, which flows to the passenger compartment 9 through a hot-air flow path 16 in a flow direction 27a, or is entirely assigned to one 15 or 16 of the hot-air flow paths. The hot-air mass flow is divided by air guide devices 19 and 20 as flaps.

[0055] When the air-conditioning system 1 operates in the cooling system mode, i.e. when the air-conditioning system 1 cools air to be supplied to the passenger compartment 9, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, the air guide device 18 is opened. The air guide devices 21 and 22 are aligned in a manner that is flush with the partition wall 10 so as to close a flow path 13 (see FIG. 1B) extending through the region of the condenser 8a and 8b. As a result, the entirety of air mass flow passes and flows by the condenser 8a and 8b in the flow direction 26a while the cold-air flow path 11 is closed, and is guided to the passenger compartment 9 through the cold-air flow path 12. The air mass flow passing through the first flow channel 3 is a bypass flow, and is guided through a bypass channel 14 which bypasses the condenser 8a and 8b. The air guide devices 19 and 20 are aligned such that the air mass flow is guided to the outside through the hot-air flow path 15 in the flow direction 27b while the hot-air flow path 16 leading to the passenger compartment 9 is closed. The blower 5 transfers air to the evaporator 7 through the first flow channel 3 in the flow direction 25a. The air is cooled and dehumidified, and then flows to the passenger compartment 9 through the cold-air flow path 12 in the flow direction 26a. The blower 6 transfers air to the condenser 8a and 8b in the flow direction 25b in the second flow channel 4. The air is heated, and then flows to the outside through the hot-air flow path 15 in the flow direction 27b.

[0056] When the air-conditioning system 1 operates in the heat pump mode, i.e. when the air-conditioning system 1 heats air to be supplied to the passenger compartment 9, as illustrated in FIG. 1C, the air guide devices 17 and 20 are opened. As a result, the air mass flow transferred through the first flow channel 3 is guided to the outside through the cold-air flow path 11 in the flow direction 26b, while the bypass channel 14 is closed by the air guide device 18. The air guide devices 21 and 22 are aligned in a manner that is flush with the partition wall 10, with the consequence that the flow path 13 is also closed. The air mass flow transferred through the second flow channel 4 is guided to the passenger compartment 9 through the hot-air flow path 16 in the flow direction 27a, while the hot-air flow path 15 is closed by the air guide device 19. The blower 5 transfers air to the evaporator 7 through the first flow channel 3 in the flow direction 25a. The air is cooled, and then flows to outside through the cold-air flow path 11 in the flow direction 26b. The blower 6 transfers air to the condenser 8a and 8b through the second flow channel 4 in the flow direction 25b. The air is heated, and then reaches the passenger compartment 9 through the hot-air flow path 16 in the flow direction 27a.

[0057] When the air-conditioning system 1 operates in the reheating mode, i.e. when the air-conditioning system 1 cools and/or dehumidifies and reheats air to be supplied to the passenger compartment 9, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the air guide devices 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22 are arranged at different positions in a fully opened state and a fully closed state, as needed. The positions of the air guide devices 17, 18, 21, and 22, and the air mass flow to be heated by the rotational speed of the blower 5 are changed. The region of the condenser 8a and 8b, which is arranged in the flow path 13, is preferentially usable during operation in the reheating mode.

[0058] The air guide devices 21 and 22 are aligned such that the flow path 13 extending through the region of the condenser 8a and 8b is opened. As a result, the air mass flow, which flows through the first flow channel 3 and is a first partial air mass flow, passes by the condenser 8a and 8b in the flow direction 26a, and is then guided to the cold-air flow path 12 through the bypass channel 14, while a second partial air mass flow is reheated when excessively flowing in the region of the condenser 8a and 8b. Although the cold-air flow path 11 is closed, it may be opened in an alternative operating mode (not shown). Consequently, the air mass flow, which is guided through the first flow channel 3 and is the first partial air mass flow/bypass flow, is guided through the bypass channel 14 which bypasses the condenser 8a and 8b, and the second partial air mass flow is guided through the flow path 13 in a flow direction 28, and is then reheated. When the air guide devices 18, 21, and 22 are opened, the partial air mass flow, which is reheated when excessively flowing in the condenser 8a and 8b, is mixed with a partial air mass flow of the cold-air mass flow in the cold-air flow path 12. The partial air mass flow passing through the first flow channel 3 may be adjusted through the adjustment of the air guide device 17, the power supply of the blower 5, and the rotational speed of the blower 5. When the air guide device 17 is opened, the partial air mass flow passing through the first flow channel 3 is reduced depending on the position of the air guide device 17. The first partial air mass flow having a cold-air mass flow temperature and the heated second partial air mass flow are mixed in the cold-air flow path 12 to be an air mass flow having the same temperature, and the air mass flow is supplied to the passenger compartment 9 in a flow direction 29.

[0059] When the air guide device 18 is closed, the air mass flow, which is reheated when excessively flowing in the condenser 8a and 8b, is guided to the passenger compartment 9 in the state in which it is not mixed. Moreover, the partial cold-air mass flow, which is conditioned when excessively flowing in the evaporator 7, may be guided to the outside through the air guide device 17 and the cold-air flow path 11 which are opened.

[0060] The air guide devices 19 and 20 are aligned such that the air mass flow is guided to the outside through the hot-air flow path 15 in the flow direction 27b while the hot-air flow path 16 leading to the passenger compartment 9 is closed. The blower 5 transfers air to the evaporator 7 through the first flow channel 3 in the flow direction 25a. After the air is cooled and dehumidified, it is divided into two partial air mass flows. The partial air mass flows flow to the cold-air flow path 12 through the bypass channel 14 and the flow path 13 in the flow direction 26a, and are mixed so as to flow to the passenger compartment 9. The blower 6 transfers air to the condenser 8a and 8b in the flow direction 25b in the second flow channel 4. The air is heated, and then flows to the outside through the hot-air flow path 15 in the flow direction 27b.

[0061] The two pairs of flaps 17 and 18, and 19 and 20 are each connected by one dynamic device, and may be adjusted by a single drive device. Alternatively, the air guide devices 17 and 18, and 19 and 20 as flaps may consist of a single flap.

[0062] FIG. 2A illustrates a compact air-conditioning system 1′ having two flow channels 3 and 4, air guide devices 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24, an evaporator 7, and a condenser 8. In this case, the air-conditioning system 1′ basically corresponds to the air-conditioning system 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1C, in terms of functions and configurations. The air-conditioning system 1′ illustrated in FIG. 2A differs from the air-conditioning system 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1C in that an additional cold-air flow path 30 is a portion of the first flow channel 3 and extends to a passenger compartment 9 from a region that is formed next to the evaporator 7 in the flow direction of air. Therefore, at least portion of the air mass flow, which is cooled and/or dehumidified when excessively flowing in the evaporator 7, may be immediately guided to the passenger compartment 9 on a flow path leading to the passenger compartment 9, without mixing with an air mass flow having a different temperature.

[0063] An air channel, which is formed to directly introduce the cold-air flow path 30 to the passenger compartment 9, leads to the region of the first flow channel 3 behind the evaporator 7 in the flow direction, in the same manner as the cold-air flow path 11 for guiding air to the outside of the housing 2 and the bypass channel 14 for guiding air to the cold-air flow path 12. The air mass flow guided through the cold-air flow path 30 is preferably controlled by the position of an air guide device 31 as a flap. In this case, the air guide device may be continuously adjusted between two end positions in a “fully closed state” and a “fully opened state”.

[0064] FIG. 2B illustrates the air-conditioning system 1′ of FIG. 2A, having an air distribution system 32′ disposed in the passenger compartment 9. The air distribution system 32′ includes a large number of air discharge ports such as a front window-side discharge port 33, a discharge port communicating with legroom 34, and an in-dashboard discharge port 35 for directly blowing air to occupants in the passenger compartment 9. In this case, the cold-air flow path 30 for direct introduction of air into the passenger compartment 9 is connected to the air distribution system 32′ in the passenger compartment 9, and extends to the in-dashboard discharge port 35 from the region of the evaporator 7 disposed in the first flow channel 3. As a result, the cooled and/or dehumidified air may be immediately guided to occupants in the passenger compartment 9 in the state in which it is not mixed. Accordingly, colder air may be supplied to the in-dashboard discharge port 35, compared to the other discharge ports 33 and 34, so as to be suitable for the purpose, with the consequence that the air temperature at the discharge port 35 may be especially adjusted on demand.

[0065] The air mass flow, which is conditioned through the flow path 12 and/or the flow path 16 depending on the operating mode while being parallel to the cold-air mass flow introduced into the passenger compartment 9 through the in-dashboard discharge port 35, may be guided at a higher temperature than the cold-air mass flow, for example, through the front window-side discharge port 33 or the discharge port communicating with legroom 34. As a result, desired temperature stratification is generated in the passenger compartment 9. In this case, an air temperature is set to be lower at the in-dashboard discharge port 35 rather than the discharge port communicating with legroom 34. This is ensured by the cold-air flow path 30 in which the temperature stratification is further arranged, and the cold-air flow path 30 is therefore referred to as a stratification path.

[0066] The air mass flow conditioned through the first flow channel 3 may be divided, at a ratio of 0% to 100%, into partial air mass flows at the positions of the air guide device 17 in the cold-air flow path 11, the air guide device 18 in the bypass channel 14, and the air guide device 31 in the cold-air flow path 30, after the evaporator 7, in the flow direction of air. In this case, the first partial air mass flow may be guided out of the housing 2 through the cold-air flow path 11. The second partial air mass flow may be guided to the cold-air flow path 12 through the bypass channel 14 and/or the flow path 13, and then be guided to the passenger compartment 9. The third partial air mass flow may pass through the cold-air flow path 30, and then be immediately guided to the passenger compartment 9, in particular the in-dashboard discharge port 35.

[0067] FIG. 3 illustrates a compact air-conditioning system 1″ having two flow channels 3 and 4, air guide devices 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24, an evaporator 7, and a condenser 8. In this case, the air-conditioning system 1″ basically corresponds to the air-conditioning system 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1C, in terms of functions and configurations. The air-conditioning system 1″ illustrated in FIG. 3 differs from the air-conditioning system 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1C in that an additional hot-air flow path 36 is a portion of the second flow channel 3 and extends to a passenger compartment 9 from a region that is formed next to the condenser 8 in the flow direction of air. Therefore, at least portion of the air mass flow, which is heated when excessively flowing in the condenser 8, may be immediately guided to the passenger compartment 9 on a flow path leading to the passenger compartment 9, without mixing with an air mass flow having a different temperature.

[0068] An air channel, which is formed to directly introduce the hot-air flow path 36 to the passenger compartment 9, leads to the region of the second flow channel 4 behind the condenser 8 in the flow direction, in the same manner as the hot-air flow path 15 for guiding air to the outside of the housing 2 and the hot-air flow path 16 for guiding air to an air distribution system 32″. The air mass flow guided through the hot-air flow path 36 is preferably controlled by the position of an air guide device 37 as a flap. In this case, the air guide device may be continuously adjusted between two end positions in a “fully closed state” and a “fully opened state”.

[0069] The air distribution system 32″ includes a large number of air discharge ports such as a front window-side discharge port 33, a discharge port communicating with legroom 34, and an in-dashboard discharge port 35 for directly blowing air to occupants in the passenger compartment 9. In this case, the hot-air flow path 36 for direct introduction of air into the passenger compartment 9 is connected to the air distribution system 32″ in the passenger compartment 9, and extends to the discharge port communicating with legroom 34 from the region of the condenser 8 disposed in the second flow channel 4. As a result, the heated air may be immediately guided to the legroom in the passenger compartment 9 in the state in which it is not mixed. Accordingly, warmer air may be supplied to the discharge port communicating with legroom 34, compared to the other discharge ports 33 and 35, so as to be suitable for the purpose, with the consequence that the air temperature at the discharge port 34 may be especially adjusted on demand.

[0070] The air mass flow, which is conditioned through the flow path 12 and/or the flow path 16 depending on the operating mode while being parallel to the hot-air mass flow introduced into the passenger compartment 9 through the discharge port communicating with legroom 34, may be guided at a lower temperature than the hot-air mass flow, for example, through the front window-side discharge port 33 or the in-dashboard discharge port 35. As a result, desired temperature stratification is generated in the passenger compartment 9. In this case, an air temperature is set to be higher at the discharge port communicating with legroom 34 rather than the in-dashboard discharge port 35. This is ensured by the hot-air flow path 36 in which the temperature stratification is further arranged, and the hot-air flow path 36 is therefore referred to as a stratification path.

[0071] The air mass flow conditioned through the second flow channel 4 may be divided, at a ratio of 0% to 100%, into partial air mass flows at the positions of the air guide device 19 in the hot-air flow path 15, the air guide device 20 in the hot-air flow path 16, and the air guide device 37 in the hot-air flow path 36, after the condenser 8, in the flow direction of air. In this case, the first partial air mass flow may be guided out of the housing 2 through the hot-air flow path 15. The second partial air mass flow may pass through the hot-air flow path 16, and then be guided to the passenger compartment 9. The third partial air mass flow may pass through the hot-air flow path 36, and then be immediately guided to the passenger compartment 9, in particular the discharge port communicating with legroom 34.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0072] 1: air-conditioning system [0073] 1′, 1″: air-conditioning system for temperature stratification in passenger compartment [0074] 2: housing [0075] 3: first flow channel [0076] 4: second flow channel [0077] 5, 6: blower [0078] 7: evaporator [0079] 8, 8a, 8b: condenser/gas cooler [0080] 9: passenger compartment [0081] 10: partition wall [0082] 11: cold-air flow path, exhaust channel [0083] 12: cold-air flow path [0084] 13: flow path in first flow channel (3) [0085] 14: bypass channel in first flow channel (3) [0086] 15: hot-air flow path, exhaust channel [0087] 16: hot-air flow path [0088] 17: air guide device/flap in cold-air flow path (11) [0089] 18: air guide device/flap in bypass channel (14) [0090] 19: air guide device/flap in hot-air flow path (15) [0091] 20: air guide device/flap in hot-air flow path (16) [0092] 21, 22: air guide device/flap between flow channels (3, 4) for inflow and outflow in inlet/outlet of condenser (8a, 8b)-flow path (13) [0093] 23, 24: stationary air guide device, air baffle [0094] 25a, 25b: flow direction of sucked air [0095] 26a, 26b: flow direction of cold air [0096] 27a, 27b: flow direction of hot air [0097] 28: flow direction of dehumidified hot-air [0098] 29: flow direction of mixture of dehumidified hot-air and cold-air [0099] 30: cold-air flow path for direct introduction of air into passenger compartment (9) [0100] 31: air guide device/flap in cold-air flow path (30) [0101] 32′, 32″: air distribution system [0102] 33: front window-side discharge port [0103] 34: legroom discharge port [0104] 35: in-dashboard discharge port [0105] 36: hot-air flow path for direct introduction of air into passenger compartment (9) [0106] 37: air guide device/flap in hot-air flow path (36)