Device for temperature control in a vehicle

Abstract

A device for a temperature control in a vehicle has element forming a first circuit for circulation of a coolant, element forming a second circuit for circulation of a refrigerant, element for connecting the first circuit with an engine for heating the coolant, element for providing a heat exchange between the second circuit and the first circuit for cooling the coolant, an air temperature regulating element, and element for alternatively connecting the first element to the air temperature regulating element so that when the coolant is heated from the engine and supplied through the first element the air temperature regulating element heats air in the vehicle, or connecting the second element with the air temperature regulating element so that when the coolant in the first circuit is cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant the second circuit the cooled coolant is supplied to the air temperature regulating element to cool air in the vehicle, and element for passing a medium selected from the group consisting of the heated coolant, the cooled coolant, and both to at least one auxiliary device in a vehicle to provide heating or cooling of the auxiliary device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of patent application Ser. No. 09/597,709 filed on Jun. 21, 2000 which in turn is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 09/210,695 filed on Dec. 14,1998.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for controlling temperature in a vehicle.

[0003] Devices of the above mentioned general type are known in the art. Some of such devices are disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,017,579; 2,068,475; 2,106,515; 2,787,129; 3,059,449; 3,753,462; 3,990,505; German patents numbers 2,044,958; 2,158,408, 2204950 and 2,101,955; and Japanese patent no. 0217095.

[0004] It is believed that devices of the above mentioned type can be further improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide devices for controlling temperature in a vehicle, which is further improvement of the existing devices.

[0006] In keeping with these objects and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in a device for controlling temperature in a vehicle which has means forming a first circuit for circulation of a coolant; means forming a second circuit for circulation of a refrigerant; means for connecting said first circuit with an engine for heating the coolant; means for providing a heat exchange between said second circuit and said first circuit for cooling said coolant; an air temperature regulating element; and means for alternatively connecting said first means to said air temperature regulating element so that when said coolant is heated from the engine and supplied through said first means said air temperature regulating element heats air in the vehicle, or connecting said second means with said air temperature regulating element so that when said coolant in said first circuit is cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant said second circuit the cooled coolant is supplied to said air temperature regulating element to cool air in the vehicle; and means for passing a medium selected from the group consisting of the heated coolant, the cooled coolant, and both to at least one auxiliary device in a vehicle to provide heating or cooling of the auxiliary device.

[0007] In accordance with another feature of the present invention in the inventive device said means for supplying said medium include means for supplying the heated coolant for heating a seat, means for supplying the cooled coolant for cooling the seat, means for supplying the heated coolant for heating food in a food containing element, and means for supplying the cooled coolant for cooling a food contained in a food containing element.

[0008] It is believed to be clear that the means for supplying said medium can be used individually and separately from one another, and also jointly. When the device is designed in accordance with the present invention, it is possible to heat the seats in the vehicle in cold weather or to cool the seats in the vehicle in warm weather. It is also possible to heat food or beverages for eating and drinking in hot state, or to cool the food or beverages for preventing their perishing and keeping them in cold state.

[0009] The term “food” is used to mean any edible product in general including foods, beverages, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a view showing a device for temperature control in a vehicle in accordance with the present invention; and

[0011] FIG. 2 is a view showing another modification of the device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] A device for temperature control in a vehicle has an air outlet unit provided with several outlets and identified with reference numeral 1. A known heater core 2 is located before an inlet of the unit 1. A fan 3 which is driven by a motor 4 with a speed adjustable by an adjusting member 4′ is located behind the heater core so as to blow air with a temperature provided by the heater core into the air outlet 1.

[0013] A vehicle engine 5 is connected by a return conduit 6 with the heater core 2. A valve 7 is located between the conduit 6 and the heater core 2. A hot coolant conduit 8 connects the outlet of the heater core 2 to the engine 5 and is provided with a control valve 23. A valve 9 controls a portion of the hot coolant in the heater core 2 for temperature control.

[0014] The device further has a compressor 10 which supplies a vaporous refrigerant to a condenser 11. The thusly liquified refrigerant is supplied through a refrigerant supply conduit 12 into a heat exchanger 13 in which it cools the coolant and is returned through a return conduit 14. An expansion valve 15 is provided in the refrigerant supply conduit 12. A thermostat 25 operates solenoid clutch 16 and controls an operation time of the compressor and therefore a cooling operation of the system.

[0015] The coolant which is cooled in the heat exchanger 13 in heat exchange with the refrigerant is supplied through the cold coolant supply conduit 17 by a pump 18 operated by a motor 19, to the heater core 2. A valve 20 is provided in the conduit 17. A coolant return conduit 29 connects an outlet of the heater core 2 with the heat exchanger 13 and is provided with a valve 22.

[0016] Reference numeral 24 identifies an auxiliary device in the vehicle, and in particular a passenger seat. Reference numeral 28 identifies a food storing device for example, a container for food, beverages, etc. They are provided with supply conduits 30 and 31 having valves 32 and 33, heat exchangers 34 and 35, and return conduit 36 and 37.

[0017] The device in accordance with the present invention operates in the following manner:

[0018] When it is necessary to heat an air in vehicle space, the valves 20 and 22 are closed, while the valves 7 and 23 are open. The coolant heated by the engine 5 is supplied through the conduit 8 into the heater core and heats the same, and the fan 3 blows the air through the heater core 2 into the air outlet 1 so as to heat the inner space of the vehicle. The slightly cooled coolant is returned back to the engine 5 through the conduit 6. When it is necessary to cool air in the vehicle space, the valve 7 and 23 are closed and the valves 20 and 22 are open. The coolant which is cooled in the heat exchanger 13 is supplied through the conduit 17 into the heater core 2 and cools the same, and the fan 3 blows cold air into the air outlet unit 1, whereupon the slightly heated air coolant is returned back into the heat exchanger through the return conduit 29.

[0019] In the inventive device the temperature therefore can be controlled by the use of the valve 9 for controlling a portion of coolant and thereby temperature of air flowing out of the outlet 1, the temperature of coolant can be controlled by the thermostat 25 cooperating with the clutch 16, and the speed of the fan 3 can be controlled manually by the member 4′. These three controls can be performed individually and separately from one another, or jointly.

[0020] In device in accordance with the present invention is possible to heat or cool the passenger seat 4. For heating the seat for example in cold weather, the heated coolant is supplied through the conduit 8 and 30 into the heat exchanger 34 inside the passenger heat, and the degree of heating is regulated by the valve 32 and is returned through the conduits 36, 29 and 6. For cooling the passenger seat, for example in warm weather the cold coolant is supplied through the conduits 17 and 30 into the heat exchanger 34, and the degree of cooling is controlled by the valve 32 and is returned through the conduits 36 and 29.

[0021] The food storage element 28 can be heated, for example for keeping the food and beverages hot, by supplying the heated coolant through the conduits 8 and 31 heat exchanger 35, and the degree of heating can be controlled by the valve 33, and is returned through the conduits 37, 29 and 6. Also, the food container 28 can be cooled for example to store food and beverages for consumption in cold condition, by supplying the cooled coolant through the conduits 17 and 31 into the heat exchanger 35, and the degree of heating can be controlled by the valve 33, and is returned through the conduits 37 and 29.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a further modification of the present invention. In this embodiment the device has two storage containers 41 and 42 provided with two heat exchangers 43 and 44 having coolant supply conduits 45 and 45 with control valves 47 and 48, and coolant return conduits 49 and 50.

[0023] When the heat exchanger 44 is supplied with the cold coolant through the conduits 17 and 46 the food is cooled in the food storage container 42.

[0024] When the heat exchanger 43 is supplied with the hot coolant through the conduits 8 and 45 the food is heated in the food storage container 41.

[0025] It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

[0026] While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in device for temperature control in a vehicle, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

[0027] Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

Claims

1. A device for a temperature control in a vehicle, comprising means forming a first circuit for circulation of a coolant; means forming a second circuit for circulation of a refrigerant; means for connecting said first circuit with an engine for heating the coolant; means for providing a heat exchange between said second circuit and said first circuit for cooling said coolant; an air temperature regulating element; and means for alternatively connecting said first means to said air temperature regulating element so that when said coolant is heated from the engine and supplied through said first means said air temperature regulating element heats air in the vehicle, or connecting said second means with said air temperature regulating element so that when said coolant in said first circuit is cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant said second circuit the cooled coolant is supplied to said air temperature regulating element to cool air in the vehicle; and means for passing a medium selected from the group consisting of the heated coolant, the cooled coolant, and both to at least one auxiliary device in a vehicle to provide heating or cooling of the auxiliary device.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for supplying said medium include means for supplying said medium through the auxiliary device which is a seat so as to heat the seat.

3. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for supplying said medium include means for supplying said medium through the auxiliary device which is a seat so as to cool the seat.

4. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for supplying said medium include means for supplying said medium to said auxiliary device which is formed as a food containing device so as to cool food contained in the food containing device.

5. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for supplying said medium include means for supplying said medium to said auxiliary device which is formed as a food containing device so as to heat food contained in the food containing device.

6. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for supplying said medium include means for supplying the heated coolant for heating a seat, means for supplying the cooled coolant for cooling the seat, means for supplying the heated coolant for heating food in a food containing element, and means for supplying the cooled coolant for cooling a food contained in a food containing element.

7. A device as defined in claim 1; and further comprising a heat exchanger which provides a heat exchange between the coolant and the refrigerant flowing in said coolant circuit and said refrigerant circuit correspondingly.