Abstract: A controller performs a prior determination by determining whether air cooling of a passenger compartment by free cooling control is possible based on a target value of a temperature in the passenger compartment that is set in advance, an outdoor air temperature, and an indoor temperature. The controller also performs a free cooling execution determination by determining whether to perform the free cooling control by comparing (i) a free cooling performance value that depends on a temperature difference between the outdoor air temperature and the indoor temperature and indicates a capacity of air cooling by the free cooling control, and (ii) an indoor heat load value that depends on a vehicle occupancy rate of passengers in the passenger compartment and indicates a difficulty of a temperature decrease in the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A controller performs a prior determination by determining whether air cooling of a passenger compartment by free cooling control is possible based on a target value of a temperature in the passenger compartment that is set in advance, an outdoor air temperature, and an indoor temperature. The controller also performs a free cooling execution determination by determining whether to perform the free cooling control by comparing (i) a free cooling performance value that depends on a temperature difference between the outdoor air temperature and the indoor temperature and indicates a capacity of air cooling by the free cooling control, and (ii) an indoor heat load value that depends on a vehicle occupancy rate of passengers in the passenger compartment and indicates a difficulty of a temperature decrease in the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning apparatus includes: an indoor heat exchanger that evaporates a refrigerant; a cooperative device group that forms, with the indoor heat exchanger, a refrigeration cycle; a waste heat recovery part that recovers waste heat from a waste heat source and a heat-release part that releases, to an indoor heat exchanger, heat transmitted to the heat-release part, and that is switchable between (a) a heat-releasing state in which the waste heat recovered by the waste heat recovery part is transmitted to the heat-release part, and (b) a heat-release-stopped state in which the heat recovered by the waste heat recovery part is less transmittable than when in the heat-releasing state; and a controller to switch between (i) a heat-release-stopped state when the refrigerant is being exchanged between the indoor heat exchanger and the cooperative device group, and (ii) a heat-releasing state when the exchange of the refrigerant is stopped.

Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning apparatus that exhibits improved energy saving performance is provided. In addition, a vehicle with such a vehicle air-conditioning apparatus is provided. The vehicle air-conditioning apparatus includes a cooler provided in a first air passage, and a first air-sending device including a motor and a fan provided in the first air passage, and configured to drive the fan with the motor to thereby generate an airflow that flows into a vehicle interior through the first air passage. At least a part of an outer surface of the motor is located outside the first air passage.

Abstract: A renewal method of an air-conditioning unit for vehicle in which an air-conditioning unit using a former refrigerant disposed in a frame mounted on a vehicle is renewed to an air-conditioning unit using an alternative refrigerant, the renewal method including a removal step of: a removing the existing air-conditioning unit from the frame; an assembly step of disposing the new air-conditioning unit, which is configured so as to be capable of fitting in the frame, in the frame; and a filling step of filling the alternative refrigerant into the new air-conditioning unit. The circulating amount of refrigerant in the new air-conditioning unit is increased so as to be larger than that in the previous air-conditioning unit, and the heat exchange capacity per unit volume of each of the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger is made larger than that before the renewal.

Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning apparatus that exhibits improved energy saving performance is provided. In addition, a vehicle with such a vehicle air-conditioning apparatus is provided. The vehicle air-conditioning apparatus includes a cooler provided in a first air passage, and a first air-sending device including a motor and a fan provided in the first air passage, and configured to drive the fan with the motor to thereby generate an airflow that flows into a vehicle interior through the first air passage. At least a part of an outer surface of the motor is located outside the first air passage.

Abstract: To enhance the positioning accuracy between primary members and auxiliary members without need of latch parts such as rivets, an insertion frame structure includes: a pair of primary members having L-shaped cross-sections and placed with the L shapes facing to each other symmetrically; and several auxiliary members having angular U-shaped cross-sections between the primary members. The primary members and the auxiliary members are joined at latch portions. The latch portions of the primary members have clearance-shaped latch holes. The latch portions of the auxiliary members have convex portions to be inserted into the latch holes. Each latch hole has a clearance with a larger dimension than a plate thickness t of the auxiliary members, and continuously from the clearance, a clearance with a dimension smaller than the plate thickness t of the auxiliary members.

Abstract: To enhance the positioning accuracy between primary members and auxiliary members without need of latch parts such as rivets, an insertion frame structure includes: a pair of primary members having L-shaped cross-sections and placed with the L shapes facing to each other symmetrically; and several auxiliary members having angular U-shaped cross-sections between the primary members. The primary members and the auxiliary members are joined at latch portions. The latch portions of the primary members have clearance-shaped latch holes. The latch portions of the auxiliary members have convex portions to be inserted into the latch holes. Each latch hole has a clearance with a larger dimension than a plate thickness t of the auxiliary members, and continuously from the clearance, a clearance with a dimension smaller than the plate thickness t of the auxiliary members.

Abstract: A renewal method of an air-conditioning unit for vehicle in which an air-conditioning unit using a former refrigerant disposed in a frame mounted on a vehicle is renewed to an air-conditioning unit using an alternative refrigerant, the renewal method including a removal step of: a removing the existing air-conditioning unit from the frame; an assembly step of disposing the new air-conditioning unit, which is configured so as to be capable of fitting in the frame, in the frame; and a filling step of filling the alternative refrigerant into the new air-conditioning unit. The circulating amount of refrigerant in the new air-conditioning unit is increased so as to be larger than that in the previous air-conditioning unit, and the heat exchange capacity per unit volume of each of the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger is made larger than that before the renewal.

Abstract: When there arises a need to change an air conditioner capability, a vehicular air conditioner capable of easily meeting this need is achieved. Also, even if some of a plurality of air conditioner units break down, a vehicular air conditioner capable of properly air conditioning a vehicular space using other air conditioner units, is achieved. This vehicular air conditioner includes a controller 20 for calculating a total heat supply amount, based on a target temperature and an actual room temperature; at least one heater 5 and/or at least one cooler 6; a controller 20 that sets generated heat amounts of the heater 5 and/or the cooler 6 of each of the air conditioner units 30, based on a calculated total heat supply amount and the number of used air conditioner units 30; and a drive controller that controls operations of the heater 5 and/or the cooler 6, based on the generated heat amounts that have been set.

Abstract: When there arises a need to change an air conditioner capability, a vehicular air conditioner capable of easily meeting this need is achieved. Also, even if some of a plurality of air conditioner units break down, a vehicular air conditioner capable of properly air conditioning a vehicular space using other air conditioner units, is achieved. This vehicular air conditioner includes a controller 20 for calculating a total heat supply amount, based on a target temperature and an actual room temperature; at least one heater 5 and/or at least one cooler 6; a controller 20 that sets generated heat amounts of the heater 5 and/or the cooler 6 of each of the air conditioner units 30, based on a calculated total heat supply amount and the number of used air conditioner units 30; and a drive controller that controls operations of the heater 5 and/or the cooler 6, based on the generated heat amounts that have been set.