# US 5,341,652 A · Air-conditioning system for vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,341,652 A - Document ID: US5341652A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 07/963,429 - Filed: 1992-10-19 - Granted: 1994-08-30 - Earliest claimed: 1991-10-17 - Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Akihiro Tajiri; Yoshihko Hotta - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5341652A ## CPC - B60H 1/0005: {the air being firstly cooled and subsequently heated or vice versa} - B60H 1/00064: {for sending air streams of different temperatures into the passenger compartment} - B60H 1/00907: {where the flow direction of the refrigerant changes and an evaporator becomes condenser} - B60H 2001/00085: {of air intake} - B60H 2001/00164: {with more than one by-pass} - B60H 2001/00935: {comprising four way valves for controlling the fluid direction} - B60H: ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES ## Abstract A vehicle air-conditioning system includes three separate chambers formed by partitions. An interior heat exchanger is disposed in the first chamber for heat exchange with air introduced into the first chamber, and first chamber has an inside-air introduction port for admitting air from the vehicle passenger compartment into the first chamber and an air discharge port for discharging air into the compartment. An exterior heat exchanger is disposed in the second chamber for heat exchange with air introduced into the second chamber, and second chamber has an open-air introduction port for admitting air from outside of the vehicle into the second chamber and an air discharge port for discharging the air to outside of the vehicle. A compressor is mounted in communication with one of two refrigerant pipes for compressing a refrigerant, the two refrigerant pipes being adapted to circulate the refrigerant between the interior and exterior heat exchangers, and a depressurizing means is mounted in the other refrigerant pipe for depressurizing the refrigerant flowing between the interior and exterior heat exchangers. The compressor is disposed in the third chamber which is partitioned from the first and second chambers and the vehicle passenger compartment. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An air-conditioning system for a vehicle, comprising an interior heat exchanger disposed in a first chamber for heat exchange with air introduced into the first chamber, said first chamber having an inside-air introduction port for admitting air from a vehicle passenger compartment into the first chamber and an air discharge port for discharging the air into the compartment, an exterior heat exchanger disposed in a second chamber for heat exchange with air introduced into the second chamber, said second chamber having an open air introduction port for admitting air from outside of the vehicle into the second chamber and an air discharge port for discharging the air to outside of the vehicle, a compressor mounted in communication with one of two refrigerant pipes for compressing a refrigerant, said two refrigerant pipes being connected to said heat exchangers for circulating the refrigerant between said interior and exterior heat exchangers, and a depressurizing means mounted in the other refrigerant pipe for depressurizing said refrigerant flowing between said interior and exterior heat exchangers, wherein said compressor is disposed in a third chamber which is partitioned from said first and second chambers and said compartment, and said third chamber having a cooling air-intake port for admitting air directly from outside of the vehicle into the third chamber and a heat discharge port for discharging the air to outside of the vehicle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An air-conditioning system for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said cooling-air intake port is provided with means for opening and closing for admitting compressor-cooling air from outside of the vehicle into said third chamber, and said heat discharge port is provided with means for opening and closing for discharging the air heated in said third chamber to outside of the vehicle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1, 2) An air-conditioning system for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first chamber is provided with an open-air intake port with means for opening and closing for admitting air from outside of the vehicle into said first chamber, said air being heat-exchanged by said interior heat exchanger and supplied into the compartment. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1, 2) An air-conditioning system for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said inside-air introduction port provided in said first chamber and said air discharge port provided in said second chamber include means for opening and closing, said first chamber is disposed in a front portion of the compartment, and said second chamber is disposed adjacent and in front of said first chamber, and said system further comprises a partition for partitioning said first and second chambers from each other, said partition being provided with a port with means for opening and closing for guiding the air passed through the exterior heat exchanger within said second chamber to the interior heat exchanger within said first chamber. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1, 2) An air-conditioning system for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said depressurizing means is of a reversible type with means for depressurizing the refrigerant flowing in either direction between the interior and exterior heat exchangers, and said system further includes a switchover means mounted in said one refrigerant pipe having said compressor mounted in communication therewith for switching over the direction of flow of said refrigerant. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) An air-conditioning system for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein said depressurizing means is of a reversible type with means for depressurizing the refrigerant flowing in either direction between the interior and exterior heat exchangers, and said system further includes a switchover means mounted in said one refrigerant pipe having said compressor mounted in communication therewith for switching over the direction of flow of said refrigerant. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) An air-conditioning system for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein said depressurizing means is of a reversible type with means for depressurizing the refrigerant flowing in either direction between the interior and exterior heat exchangers, and said system further includes a switchover means mounted in said one refrigerant pipe having said compressor mounted in communication therewith for switching over the direction of flow of said refrigerant. ### Claim 8 An air-conditioning system for a vehicle, comprising an interior heat exchanger disposed in a first chamber for heat exchange with air introduced into the first chamber, said first chamber having an inside-air introduction port for admitting air from a vehicle passenger compartment into the first chamber and an air discharge port for discharging the air into the compartment, an exterior heat exchanger disposed in a second chamber for heat exchange with air introduced into the second chamber, said second chamber having an open-air introduction port for admitting air from outside of vehicle into the second chamber and an air discharge port for discharging the air to outside of the vehicle, a compressor mounted in communication with one of two refrigerant pipes for compressing a refrigerant to feed the refrigerant from said interior heat exchanger to said exterior heat exchanger, said two refrigerant pipes being adapted to circulate the refrigerant between said interior and exterior heat exchangers, and a depressurizing means mounted in the other refrigerant pipe for depressurizing said refrigerant flowing from said exterior heat exchanger to said interior heat exchanger, wherein said compressor is disposed in a third chamber partitioned from said first and second chambers and said compartment; said open-air introduction port and said air discharge port in said second chamber each include means for opening and closing, and a partition for partitioning said second and third chambers from each other is provided with a port with means for opening and closing for circulating the air in said third chamber through the exterior heat exchanger within said second chamber, and said system further includes a shield means for shutting off said first chamber from said compartment. ### Claim 9 An air-conditioning system for a vehicle, comprising an interior heat exchanger disposed in a first chamber for heat exchange with air introduced into the first chamber, said first chamber having an inside-air introduction port for admitting air from a vehicle passenger compartment into the first chamber and an air discharge port for discharging the air into the compartment, an exterior heat exchanger disposed in a second chamber for heat exchange with air introduced into the second chamber, said second chamber having an open-air introduction port for admitting air from outside of the vehicle into the second chamber and an air discharge port for discharging the air to outside of the vehicle, a compressor mounted in communication with one of two refrigerant pipes for compressing a refrigerant, said two refrigerant pipes being connected to said heat exchangers for circulating the refrigerant between said interior and exterior heat exchangers, and a depressurizing means mounted in the other refrigerant pipe for depressurizing said refrigerant flowing between said interior and exterior heat exchangers, wherein said compressor is disposed in a third chamber partitioned from said first and second chambers and said compartment and adjacent said second chamber, said open-air introduction port and the air discharge port in said second chamber each include means for opening and closing, and a partition for partitioning said second and third chambers from each other is provided with a port with means for opening and closing for circulating the air in said third chamber through the exterior heat exchanger within said second chamber, and said depressurizing means is of a reversible type capable of depressurizing the refrigerant flowing in either direction between said interior and exterior heat exchangers, and said system further includes a switchover means mounted in said one refrigerant pipe having said compressor mounted in communication therewith for switching over the direction of flow of said refrigerant. ### Claim 10 An air-conditioning system for an electric powered vehicle, comprising an electric motor and drive means for driving wheels of the vehicle, an interior heat exchanger disposed in a first chamber for heat exchange with air introduced into the first chamber, said first chamber having an inside-air introduction port for admitting air from a vehicle passenger compartment into the first chamber and an air discharge port for discharging the air into the compartment, an exterior heat exchanger disposed in a second chamber for heat exchange with air introduced into the second chamber, said second chamber having an open-air introduction port for admitting air from outside of the vehicle into the second chamber and an air discharge port for discharging the air to outside of the vehicle, a compressor mounted in communication with one of two refrigerant pipes for compressing a refrigerant, said two refrigerant pipes being connected to said heat exchangers for circulating the refrigerant between said interior and exterior heat exchangers, and a depressurizing means mounted in the other refrigerant pipe for depressuring said refrigerant flowing between said interior and exterior heat exchangers, wherein said compressor is disposed in a third chamber which is partitioned from said first and second chambers and said compartment, and said electric motor and drive means is disposed at a location separate from said first, second and third chambers and said compartment. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) An air-conditioning system for a vehicle according to claim 10, wherein said third chamber is provided with a cooling-air intake port with means for opening and closing for admitting compressor-cooling air from outside of the vehicle into said third chamber, and a heat discharge port with means for opening and closing for discharging the air heated in said third chamber to outside of the vehicle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) An air-conditioning system for a vehicle according to claim 10, wherein said first, second and third chambers are provided in a front portion of the vehicle and the electric motor and drive means is located in a rear portion of the vehicle and drives rear wheels of the vehicle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10, 11, 12) An air-conditioning system for a vehicle according to claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein said inside-air introduction port provided in said first chamber and said air discharge port provided in said second chamber each include means for opening and closing, said first chamber is disposed in a front portion of the compartment, and said second chamber is disposed adjacent and in front of said first chamber, and said system further comprises a partition for partitioning said first and second chambers from each other, said partition being provided with a port with means for opening and closing for guiding the air passed through the exterior heat exchanger within said second chamber to the interior heat exchanger within said first chamber. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10, 11, 12) An air-conditioning system for a vehicle according to claims 10, 11 or 12, wherein said depressurizing means is of a reversible type with means for depressurizing the refrigerant flowing in either direction between the interior and exterior heat exchangers, and said system further includes a switchover means mounted in said one refrigerant pipe having said compressor mounted in communication therewith for switching over the direction of flow of said refrigerant. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) An air-conditioning system for a vehicle according to any of claims 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12, wherein a fan is provided in said third chamber, said fan being selectively operable for circulating air passed said compressor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) An air-conditioning system for a vehicle according to claim 15 wherein a selectively operable fan is provided in each of the first and second chambers. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1, 8, 9, 10) An air-conditioning system for a vehicle according to any of claims 1, 8 , 9 or 10 wherein a bypass pipe is connected to said other refrigerant pipe for bypassing said depressurizing means, and valve means are provided in said bypass pipe for selectively allowing the refrigerant to flow through the bypass pipe. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) An air-conditioning system for a vehicle according to claim 10, wherein said chamber is provided with ports with selectively operable means for opening and closing each port for selectively either admitting from the outside of the vehicle into said chamber and discharging the air heated in said chamber to outside of the vehicle or admitting air circulating through the exterior heat exchanger into the chamber and discharging that air back to the exterior heat exchanger. ### Claim 19 (depends on 10) An air-conditioning system for a vehicle according to claim 10, wherein said internal heat exchanger is disposed in a front portion of the vehicle and said external heat exchanger is disposed adjacent and in front of said internal heat exchanger, and said system further comprises a partition for partitioning means said internal and external heat exchangers from each other, said partition means being provided with a port with means for selectively opening and closing for guiding the air passed through the exterior heat exchanger to the interior heat exchanger. ### Claim 20 (depends on 10) An air-conditioning system for a vehicle according to claim 10 wherein means are provided for selectively circulating air through said interior and exterior heat exchangers and through the chamber passed the compressor. ### Claim 21 (depends on 6) An air-conditioning system for a vehicle according to claim 6 wherein a fan is provided in said third chamber, said fan being selectively operable for circulating air passed said compressor. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) An air-conditioning system for a vehicle according to claim 21 wherein a selectively operable fan is provided in each of the first and second chamber. ### Claim 23 (depends on 7) An air-conditioning system for a vehicle according to claim 7 wherein a fan is provided in said third chamber, said fan being selectively operable for circulating air passed said compressor. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) An air-conditioning system for a vehicle according to claim 23 wherein a selectively operable fan is provided in each of the first and second chambers. ### Claim 25 An air-conditioning system for a vehicle, comprising an interior heat exchanger disposed in a first chamber for heat exchange with air introduced into the first chamber, said first chamber having an inside-air introduction port for admitting air from a vehicle passenger compartment into the first chamber and an air discharge port for discharging the air into the compartment, an exterior heat exchanger disposed in a second chamber for heat exchange with air introduced into the second chamber, said second chamber having an open air introduction port for admitting air from outside of the vehicle into the second chamber and an air discharge port for discharging the air to outside of the vehicle, a compressor mounted in communication with one of two refrigerant pipes for compressing a refrigerant, said two refrigerant pipes being connected to said heat exchangers for circulating the refrigerant between said interior and exterior heat exchangers, and a depressurizing means mounted in the other refrigerant pipe for depressurizing said refrigerant flowing between said interior and exterior heat exchangers, wherein said compressor is disposed in a third chamber which is partitioned from said first and second chambers and said compartment, at least the second chamber having means for being selectively connectable to and disconnectable from said first chamber for adjusting different operational modes. ### Claim 26 An air-conditioning system for a vehicle, comprising an interior heat exchanger disposed in a first chamber for heat exchange with air introduced into the first chamber, said first chamber having an inside-air introduction port for admitting air from a vehicle passenger compartment into the first chamber and an air discharge port for discharging the air into the compartment, an exterior heat exchanger disposed in a second chamber for heat exchange with air introduced into the second chamber, said second chamber having an open air introduction port for admitting air from outside of the vehicle into the second chamber and an air discharge port for discharging the air to outside of the vehicle, a compressor mounted in communication with one of two refrigerant pipes for compressing a refrigerant, said two refrigerant pipes being connected to said heat exchangers for circulating the refrigerant between said interior and exterior heat exchangers, and a depressurizing means mounted in the other refrigerant pipe for depressurizing said refrigerant flowing between said interior and exterior heat exchangers, wherein said compressor is disposed in a third chamber which is partitioned from said first and second chambers and said compartment, the first chamber having means for being selectively connectable to and disconnectable from the second chamber and the second chamber having means for being selectively connectable to and disconnectable from the third chamber for all three of said chambers to be disconnectable from each other, for establishing different operational modes as heating, cooling, dehumidification and ventilation. ### Claim 27 An air-conditioning system for a vehicle, comprising an interior heat exchanger disposed in a first chamber for heat exchange with air introduced into the first chamber, said first chamber having an inside-air introduction port for admitting air from a vehicle passenger compartment into the first chamber and an air discharge port for discharging the air into the compartment, an exterior heat exchanger disposed in a second chamber for heat exchange with air introduced into the second chamber, said second chamber having an open-air introduction port for admitting air from outside of the vehicle into the second chamber and an air discharge port for discharging the air to outside of the vehicle, a compressor mounted in communication with one of two refrigerant pipes for compressing a refrigerant, said two refrigerant pipes being connected to said heat exchangers for circulating the refrigerant between said interior and exterior heat exchangers, and a depressurizing means mounted in the other refrigerant pipe for depressurizing said refrigerant flowing between said interior and exterior heat exchangers, wherein said compressor is disposed in a third chamber which is partitioned from said first and second chambers and said compartment and a fan is provided in said third chamber, said fan being selectively operable for circulating air passed said compressor. ### Claim 28 An air-conditioning system for a vehicle, comprising an interior heat exchanger disposed in a first chamber for heat exchange with air introduced into the first chamber, said first chamber having an inside-air introduction port for admitting air from a vehicle passenger compartment into the first chamber and an air discharge port for discharging the air into the compartment, an exterior heat exchanger disposed in a second chamber for heat exchange with air introduced into the second chamber, said second chamber having an open-air introduction port for admitting air from outside of the vehicle into the second chamber and an air discharge port for discharging the air to outside of the vehicle, a compressor mounted in communication with one of two refrigerant pipes for compressing a refrigerant, said two refrigerant pipes being connected to said heat exchangers for circulating the refrigerant between said interior and exterior heat exchangers, and a depressurizing means mounted in the other refrigerant pipe for depressurizing said refrigerant flowing between said interior and exterior heat exchangers, wherein said compressor is disposed in a third chamber which is partitioned from said first and second chambers and said compartment, and a selectively and separately operable fan is provided in each of said first and second chambers. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) An air-conditioning system for a vehicle according to claim 28 wherein a separate fan is provided in said third chamber and is selectively operable for circulating air passed said compressor.