WO2008050985A1

WO2008050985A1 - Seat air conditioner for vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2008050985A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/005195
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yong Jun Jee; Dae Woong Lee; Kil Sang Jang
Original assignee: Halla Climate Control Corp
Current assignee: Hanon Systems Corp
Priority date: 2006-10-27
Filing date: 2007-10-23
Publication date: 2008-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 2009-04-27

Abstract

The present invention relates to a seat air conditioner for vehicles, in which some of air supplied to the rear seat through a console duct is branched and supplied to the seat for conducting seat air-conditioning, thereby minimizing a space and reducing the number of components necessary for heating and cooling the seat by utilizing the console duct, reducing manufacturing expenses since its entire structure is simple, preventing noise since there is no need to additionally mount an air blower on the seat, allowing a right and left independent control, allowing independent heating and cooling of the seat since a thermoelectric module is mounted at a branched position, and improving a seat heating and cooling performance.

Description

Description SEAT AIR CONDITIONER FOR VEHICLE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a seat air conditioner for vehicles, and more particularly, to a seat air conditioner for vehicles, in which some of air supplied to the rear seat through a console duct is branched and supplied to the seat for conducting seat air- conditioning, thereby minimizing a space and reducing the number of components necessary for heating and cooling the seat by utilizing the console duct, reducing manufacturing expenses since its entire structure is simple, preventing noise since there is no need to additionally mount an air blower on the seat, allowing a right and left independent control, allowing independent heating and cooling of the seat since a thermoelectric module is mounted at a branched position, and improving a seat heating and cooling performance. Background Art

[2] In general, an air conditioner for a vehicle is a car trim, which is installed in the vehicle in order to secure a driver's front and rear visual field by heating and cooling the inside of the vehicle in the summer season or the winter season or removing frost from a windshield in case of rain or the winter season. Since such air conditioner includes a heating device and a cooling device together, the air conditioner heats, cools or ventilates the inside of the vehicle through the steps of selectively inducing the indoor air or the outdoor air through a blower unit, heating or cooling the air, and blowing into the vehicle.

[3] Such air conditioner is classified into a three-piece type where a blower unit, an evaporator unit, and a heater core unit are disposed independently, a semi-center type where the evaporator unit and the heater core unit are embedded in an air-conditioning case and the blower unit is mounted separately, and a center-mounting type where the three units are all embedded in the air-conditioning case.

[4] Furthermore, a two-layer air conditioner has been developed in order to secure a defogging efficiency during heating and maintain a heating efficiency of high quality. That is, the conventional air conditioner for the vehicle induces cooled outdoor air of low humidity since the cooled outdoor air is effective to remove frost from a window during traveling the vehicle while heating in the winter season, but it causes lowering of the room temperature. In the above case, the two-layer air conditioner realizes air flow of double laminar flows that the outdoor air is supplied to the upper part of the vehicle and the indoor air is circulated in the lower part of the vehicle, whereby the air conditioner can effectively remove frost using the fresh outdoor air of low humidity supplied to the upper part and maintain the heating efficiency of high quality by supplying the warm indoor air to the lower part.

[5] The conventional air conditioners described above are generally front air conditioners for air-conditioning of the front seat, and some of them are rear air conditioners for air-conditioning of the rear seat. In the meantime, the rear air conditioner may be mounted on the rear seat for air-conditioning of the rear seat, but the front air conditioner may air-condition the rear seat in such a way as to directly supply air heat- exchange in the front air conditioner to the rear seat by connecting a console duct to an outlet of the front air conditioner.

[6] Moreover, there have been disclosed seat air conditioners for vehicles, which can make a passenger's back and hips agreeable by heating and cooling a seat of the vehicle by bypassing heat-exchanged air from the front air conditioner to the front seat in link with the front air conditioner. FIG. 1 shows an example of such seat air conditioner for vehicle (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No 1999-263116 (Sep. 28, 1999).

[7] The seat air conditioner for the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 includes a connection duct

30 extending from an air-conditioning case 21 constituting a front air conditioner 20 to a car seat 10, and an air blower 40 and a heat exchanger 50 mounted on the connection duct 30. That is, the car seat 30 has an air passageway 12 for discharging air toward a passenger, and the air passageway 12 is connected with the connection duct 30, whereby air is effectively blown from an outlet of the air-conditioning case 21 to the air passageway 12 through the connection duct 30 by operation of the blower 40. In the above process, the air blown toward the air passageway 12 through the air blower 40 is heat-exchanged while passing through the heat exchanger 50 to heat and cool the seat.

[8] However, the seat air conditioner for the vehicle according to the prior art has several problems in that it causes a limitation in space, generation of noise, a complicated configuration, and expensive manufacturing expenses since the air blower 40 for the car seat 10 must be separately mounted without regard to the blower unit (not shown) of the front air conditioner 20.

[9] In addition, the seat air conditioner for the vehicle according to the prior art has several problems in that the inside space of the seat 10 becomes insufficient since the seat air conditioner including the heat exchanger 50 and the air blower 40 is installed on the seat 10, and causes a deterioration in heating and cooling performance since it must use the small-size heat exchanger 50.

[10] Moreover, the seat air conditioner for the vehicle according to the prior art has several problems in that its entire structure is complicated since each seat (a driver's seat or a passenger's seat) needs its own heat exchanger 50 and air blower 40 so that one vehicle needs several seat air conditioners, and in that the number of components is increase and manufacturing expenses are also increased since the same components are mounted on each seat 10.

[11] Furthermore, the seat air conditioner for the vehicle according to the prior art has a further problem in that there is a limitation in space and it is difficult to assemble other various devices since the seat air conditioner occupies a wide space inside the seat 10. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[12] Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior arts, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a seat air conditioner for vehicles, in which some of air supplied to the rear seat through a console duct is branched and supplied to the seat for conducting seat air- conditioning, thereby minimizing a space and reducing the number of components necessary for heating and cooling the seat by utilizing the console duct, reducing manufacturing expenses since its entire structure is simple, preventing noise since there is no need to additionally mount an air blower on the seat, allowing a right and left independent control, allowing independent heating and cooling of the seat since a thermoelectric module is mounted at a branched position, securing installation spaces for various devices to be installed inside the seat by securing the inside space of the seat, and improving a seat heating and cooling performance using performance of a front air conditioner. Technical Solution

[13] To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a seat air conditioner for vehicles, which includes a console duct (101) extending from a console vent (25d) of a front air conditioner (20) to the rear side of a console box to directly supply some of air discharged from the front air conditioner 20 to the rear seat, the console duct (101) having right and left independent air passageways, comprising: right and left connection ducts (110) connected between a front duct (102) and a rear duct (103) of the console duct (101), which is dived into the front duct (102) and the rear duct (103), the right and left connection ducts (110) respectively having connection passageways (111) formed in backward and forward directions thereof for communicating air passageways (102a, 103a) of the front and rear ducts (102, 103) with each other and seat passageways (112) formed downwardly; seat ducts (120) for communicatingly connecting the seat passageways (112) of the right and left connection ducts (110) to seats (10) of the vehicle; and opening and closing means (113) mounted in the right and left connection ducts (110) for independently or interlockingly controlling an opening and closing amount of the connection passageways (111) and the seat passageways (112) to thereby branch some of the air blown toward the rear seat through the console duct (101) and selectively supply the branched air to the seat (10).

Advantageous Effects

[14] So, the seat air conditioner for the vehicles according to the present invention can minimize a space and reducing the number of components necessary for heating and cooling the seat by utilizing the console duct since some of air supplied to the rear seat through a console duct is branched and supplied to the seat for conducting seat air- conditioning, reduce manufacturing expenses since its entire structure is simple, prevent noise since there is no need to additionally mount an air blower on the seat, allow a right and left independent control, allow independent heating and cooling of the seat since a thermoelectric module is mounted at a branched position, secure installation spaces for various devices to be installed inside the seat by securing the inside space of the seat, and improve heating and cooling performances of the seat using performance of a front air conditioner. Brief Description of the Drawings

[15] FIG. 1 is a configurative view of a seat air conditioner for vehicles according to a prior art.

[16] FIG. 2 is a configurative view of a seat air conditioner for vehicles according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[17] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of right and left connection ducts of the seat air conditioner for the vehicles according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[18] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where the right and left connection ducts of the seat air conditioner for the vehicles according to the first preferred embodiment are viewed from the downward direction.

[19] FIGS. 5 to 7 are views showing a state where air is flown according to locations of doors mounted in the right and left connection ducts of the seat air conditioner for the vehicles according to the first preferred embodiment.

[20] FIG. 8 is a configurative view of a seat air conditioner for vehicles according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[21] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of right and left connection ducts of the seat air conditioner for the vehicles according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[22] FIGS. 10 to 12 are views showing a state where air is flown according to locations of doors mounted in the right and left connection ducts of the seat air conditioner for the vehicles according to the second preferred embodiment. Mode for the Invention

[23] Reference will be now made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings.

[24] In the present invention, description of the same configuration and action as the prior arts will be omitted.

[25] FIG. 2 is a configurative view of a seat air conditioner for vehicles according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of right and left connection ducts of the seat air conditioner for the vehicles according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where the right and left connection ducts of the seat air conditioner for the vehicles according to the first preferred embodiment are viewed from the downward direction, and FIGS. 5 to 7 are views showing a state where air is flown according to locations of doors mounted in the right and left connection ducts of the seat air conditioner for the vehicles according to the first preferred embodiment.

[26] First, a front air conditioner 20, on which a console duct 101 is mounted, will be described later. The seat air conditioner 100 according to the present invention will be connected to the console duct 101. The front air conditioner 20 includes: an air- conditioning case 21 having an evaporator 22 and a heater core 23 mounted on the internal passageway thereof for heat-exchanging air, and a number of doors 24 for adjusting a flow direction of air; and a blast unit 26 mounted on a side of the air- conditioning case 21 for blowing the inside air and the outside air to the inside of the air-conditioning case 21.

[27] Inside the blast unit 26, mounted are: an intake door 27 actuated by a controlling means, such as an actuator (not shown), for selectively introducing the inside air and the outside air and for opening and closing an inside air inflow hole 28a and an outside air inflow hole 28b according to an inside air inducing mode or an outside air inducing mode; and a blower fan 29 for forcibly blowing the inside air and the outside air selectively introduced by the intake door 27 toward the air-conditioning case 21.

[28] In addition, on an outlet of the air-conditioning case 21, mounted are: a defrost vent

25a for discharging air toward the front window of the vehicle; a face vent 25b for discharging air toward a passenger's face; and a floor vent 25c for discharging air toward the passenger's foot.

[29] The vents 25a, 25b and 25c are vents for discharging the air toward the front seat of the vehicle, and the air-conditioning case 21 includes a rear floor vent 25e and a console vent 25d for discharging the air toward not only the front seat but also the rear seat of the vehicle.

[30] Here, additional duct extends from the rear floor vent 25e and the console vent 25d toward the rear seat for supplying the air to the rear seat.

[31] That is, the console duct 101 is mounted on the console vent 25e in such a way as to extend from the air-conditioning case 21 to the rear of a console box (not shown) to thereby discharge the air toward the face of the passenger, who sits on the rear seat.

[32] Meanwhile, a number of doors 24 mounted inside the air-conditioning case 21 adjust an opening and closing amount of the vents 25a, 25b and 25c for discharging the air to the front seat and the vents 25d and 25e for discharging the air to the rear seat.

[33] Here, since the front air conditioner 20 has been well-known, its detailed description will be omitted.

[34] The seat air conditioner 100 for the vehicle according to the first preferred embodiment includes right and left connection ducts 110, a seat duct 120, and an opening and closing means 113. The right and left connection ducts 110 are mounted at an approximately central point of the console duct 101 to branch some of the air discharged from the air-conditioning case 21 to the console duct 101 and supply the branched air toward the seat 10. Of course, according to kinds and structures of the vehicles, a mounting location of the right and left connection ducts 110 mounted on the console duct 101 can be changed variously.

[35] The console duct 101 extends from the console vent 25d, which is the outlet of the air-conditioning case 21, to the rear of the console box, and divided into right and left sides from an inlet to the outlet of the air-conditioning case 21 to provide independent right and left air passageways.

[36] So, the seat air conditioner according to the present invention can supply the air all of the passengers, who sit on the right and left seats. If the front air conditioner 20 adopts an independent right and left control method, the seat air conditioner can discharge air of different temperatures toward the passengers, who sit on the right and left seats.

[37] Moreover, the console duct 101 is divided into a front duct 102 and a rear duct 103, and the right and left connection ducts 110 are connected between the front and rear ducts 102 and 103. Right and left connection passageways 111 are respectively formed in backward and forward directions of the right and left connection ducts 110 for communicating right and left air passageways 102a and 103a of the front and rear ducts

102 and 103 with each other. Additionally, seat passageways 112 are formed on the bottom of the right and left connection ducts 110 downwardly for supplying air to the seat 10 (a driver's seat and a passenger's seat).

[38] That is, the console duct 101 is divided into the front duct 102 and the rear duct 103 in the backward and forward directions, and ends of the front and rear ducts 102 and

103 are respectively connected to ends of the right and left connection ducts 110. [39] In this instance, the separate right and left air passageways 102a and 103a of the front and rear ducts 102 and 103 are independently communicated to the right and left connection passageways 111 of the right and left connection ducts 110. [40] Furthermore, the seat ducts 120 communicatingly connect the seats 10 with the seat passageways 112 downwardly formed on the right and left connection ducts 110.

[41] In this instance, since the seat 10 of the vehicle moves in the backward and forward directions, it is preferable that the seat ducts 120 has a soft structure (variable duct), which can be moved in correspondence to the movement of the seat 10, so that air can be supplied smoothly even though the seat is moved.

[42] Meanwhile, it is preferable that an air passageway 12 is formed inside the seat 10, which is connected with an outlet of the seat duct 120, for discharging the air supplied through the seat duct 120 toward the passenger.

[43] In addition, the opening and closing means 113 are respectively mounted in the right and left connection ducts 110 for adjusting an opening and closing amount of the connection passageways 111 and the seat passageways 112 for branching some of the air blown to the rear seat through the console duct 101 and selectively supplying the branched air to the seat 10.

[44] Each opening and closing means 113 includes: a door pivotably mounted inside the connection passageway 111 of the connection duct 110 for adjusting the opening and closing amount of the connection passageway 111 and the seat passageway 112; and an operating means 115 mounted any one place of the right and left connection duct 110 for pivotably operating the door 114.

[45] The door 114 includes a rotary shaft 114b rotatably combined on the inner wall of each connection duct 110, and a flat type plate 114a formed on a side of the rotary shaft 114b. The plate 114a is mounted in an opposite direction to a direction of the air flowing inside the connection passageway 111.

[46] Moreover, a connection member 118 is mounted between the right and left connection ducts 110 for connecting the rotary shafts 114b of the doors 114 in such a way as to interlockingly operate the doors 114 mounted inside the connection passageways 111.

[47] Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the connection member 118 and the rotary shafts 114b are coupled in such a way that end portions of the rotary shafts 114b mounted in the connection passageways 111 are extended to the connection member 118 and inserted into both end portions of the connection member 118.

[48] In this instance, a number of protrusion portions 114c are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft 114b, and a number of slots 118a are formed on the inner peripheral surfaces of both end portions of the connection member 118, to which the end portions of the rotary shafts 114b are inserted. So, the protrusion portions 114c are fit to the slots 118a of the connection member 118.

[49] So, the seat air conditioner according to the present invention can simultaneously operate the doors 114 mounted inside the connection passageways 111 of the right and left connection ducts 110 using just one operating means 115. [50] In the meantime, as shown in FIG. 4, in case that a number of the protrusion portions 114c formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft 114b are eliminated, or not shown in the drawings, in case that the operating means 115 are mounted on the right connection duct 110 and the left connection duct 110 without the connection member 1 118, the doors 114 mounted inside the connection passageways 111 can be operated independently.

[51] That is, two operating means 115 can independently control the doors 114 mounted inside the right and left connection passageways 111, so that an air volume supplied to the rear seat through the console duct 101 or an air volume supplied to the seat 10 (driver's seat or assistant's seat) through the seat duct 120 can be controlled separately.

[52] As described above, the present invention can simultaneously and interlockingly operate the doors 114 mounted in the connection passageways 111 of the right and left connection ducts 110 and independently operate and control them.

[53] Furthermore, the operating means 115 for operating the doors 114 includes: a cam

116 mounted on a side of one of the right and left connection ducts 110 and rotated by an operation force of a motor 116b; and a lever 117 coupled to an end portion of the rotary shafts 114b drawn out of the right and left connection ducts 110 and having a guide 117a protrudingly formed at an end portion thereof and slidably coupled to a sliding slot 116a of the cam 116.

[54] So, when the cam 116 is rotated by the operation of the motor 116b, the lever 117 coupled to the sliding slot 116 via the guide 117a is rotated, and so, the rotary shafts 14b are also rotated to thereby operate the doors 114.

[55] Additionally, a reinforcing member 119 of a predetermined length is formed between the right and left connection ducts 110 to support the right and left connection ducts 110 and keep a fixed interval between the right and left connection ducts 110.

[56] Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, the action of the seat air conditioner 100 for the vehicles according to the first preferred embodiment will be described.

[57] First, when the front air conditioner 20 performs a heating or cooling action, cold air or warm air discharged from the defrost vent 25 a, the face vent 25b and the floor vent 25c of the air-conditioning case 21 is supplied to the front seat, and cold air or warm air discharged from the console vent 25d of the air-conditioning case 21 is supplied to the rear seat through the console duct 101.

[58] That is, when the inside of the vehicle is air-conditioned without air-conditioning of the seat, as shown in FIG. 5, the doors 114 mounted in the right and left connection ducts 110 completely open the connection passageways 111 and completely close the seat passageways 112, so that the air discharged from the console vent 25d of the air- conditioning case 21 is supplied only to the rear seat through the front duct 102 of the console duct 101, the connection passageways 111 of the right and left connection ducts 110, and the rear duct 103 of the console duct 101.

[59] Moreover, when the air-conditioning of the seat is performed, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the doors 114 mounted in the right and left connection ducts 110 open the seat passageways 112 by the control of the operating means 115, and in this instance, the air volume supplied to the rear seat and the air volume supplied to the seat 10 are adjusted according to the locations of the doors 114.

[60] Here, as shown in FIG. 6, a case that the doors 114 open all of the connection passageways 111 and the seat passageways 112 will be described. The cold air or warm air discharged from the console vent 25d of the air-conditioning case 21 is introduced into the connection passageways 111 of the right and left connection ducts 110 through the front duct 102 of the console duct 101, and the air introduced into the connection passageways 111 is branched by the doors 114. Some of the branched air is supplied to the rear seat through the rear duct 103 of the console duct 101, and the remainder is supplied to the seat 10 through the seat passageways 112 and the seat ducts 120.

[61] Next, the air supplied to the seat 10 is discharged toward the passenger through the air passageway 12 formed in the seat 10.

[62] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 7, when the doors 114 completely close the connection passageways 111 of the right and left connection ducts 110 and completely open the seat passageways 112, the air discharged from the console vent 25d of the air- conditioning case 21 is supplied only to the seat 10 through the front duct 102 of the console duct 101, the seat passageways 112 of the right and left connection ducts 110 and the seat ducts 120.

[63] As described above, the air supplied to the seat 10 through the seat air conditioner

100 according to the present invention is air heat-exchanged to cold air or warm air in the front air conditioner 20 according to the passenger's demand, and so, the present invention can perform seat air-conditioning according to the passenger's demand.

[64] Furthermore, when the doors 114 mounted in the right and left connection ducts

110 are separately controlled by the separate operating means 115, the seat air conditioner according to the present invention can independently control air- conditioning of the right and left seats, and in this instance, can adjust the right and left volumes of the air supplied to the rear seat and also adjust the right and left volumes of the air supplied to the seat 10 (driver's seat and assistant's seat).

[65] FIG. 8 is a configurative view of a seat air conditioner for vehicles according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of right and left connection ducts of the seat air conditioner for the vehicles according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 10 to 12 are views showing a state where air is flown according to locations of doors mounted in the right and left connection ducts of the seat air conditioner for the vehicles according to the second preferred embodiment.

[66] As shown in the drawings, the seat air conditioner according to the second preferred embodiment further includes a heat-exchanging means 130 mounted on the downstream side of the seat passageway 112 for heat-exchanging air passing through the seat passageway 112.

[67] The heat-exchanging means 130 is constructed in such a way that a thermoelectric module 131 is mounted inside the seat duct 120.

[68] Here, the thermoelectric module 131 includes a thermoelement 132 performing a heat-absorbing action at a side thereof and a heat-emitting action at the other side thereof according to a flow direction of electric current, and heat-exchanging pins 133 mounted at both sides of the thermoelement 132.

[69] Since such thermoelectric module 131 can simultaneously perform the heat- absorbing action and the heat-emitting action through a pole (+,-) conversion, it can heat and cool the seat 10 by heating or cooling the air supplied to the seat through the seat duct 120.

[70] That is, when polarity of the electric current applied to the thermoelement 132, since the heat-exchanging pin 133 located on the side where the air supplied to the seat 10 passes can be cooled or warmed, the seat air conditioner according to the present invention can convert a heating function into a cooling function and the cooling function into the heating function. So, the passenger can select the heating function and the cooling function by manipulating a control switch (not shown).

[71] Meanwhile, as the heat-exchanging means 130, not only the thermoelectric module

131 but also a PTC auxiliary heater (not shown) may be mounted. That is, in case that it is difficult to quickly heat the seat at a low temperature in the winter season, electricity is supplied to the PTC auxiliary heater, and so, warm air can be quickly supplied to the seat 10.

[72] In addition, in case that it is necessary to cool the seat 10 in the summer season, the seat air conditioner according to the present invention performs the cooling action using the thermoelectric module 131 at the stage of initial starting of the vehicle to supply cold air to the seat 10, and after time goes, cools the seat 10 using the cold air discharged from the front air conditioner 20 when a cooling performance of the front air conditioner 20 is secured.

[73] In this instance, when the cooling performance of the front air conditioner 20 is secured, the operation of the thermoelectric module 131 can be stopped, and if the air discharged from the front air conditioner 20 is too cold, the PTC auxiliary heater is operated or the thermoelectric module 131 performs the heating action to thereby adjust temperature. [74] That is, since the cooling and heating performances of the front air conditioner 20 are all insufficient at the stage of the initial starting of the vehicle, if the air discharged from the front air conditioner 20 is supplied to the seat 10, the heating and cooling performances of the seat 10 also get insufficient.

[75] As described above, when the cooling and heating performances of the front air conditioner 20 are all insufficient at the stage of the initial starting of the vehicle, the thermoelectric module 131 or the PTC auxiliary heater is operated to quickly cool or warm the air and supply the cooled or warmed air to the seat 10, whereby the present invention can improve the cooling and heating performances.

[76] A conversion door 140 is mounted on the downstream side of the thermoelectric module 131 for controlling an air flow in such a way as to send the air, out of the air heat-exchanged through the thermoelectric module 131, necessary for air-conditioning the seat 10 to the seat duct 120 and send the air unnecessary for air-conditioning the seat 10 to the inside of the vehicle.

[77] The conversion door 140 is pivotably mounted on a side wall of the seat duct 120, and a discharge hole 121 is formed on the side wall of the seat duct 120, on which the conversion door 140 is mounted, the discharge hole 121 being opened and closed by the conversion door 140 and adopted to discharge the unnecessary air to the inside of the vehicle.

[78] The conversion door 140 closes the discharge hole 121 or opens the discharge hole

121 by pivoting to a central point of the thermoelectric module 131 according to whether or not the thermoelectric module 131 is operated.

[79] That is, when the heating or cooling performance of the front air conditioner 20 is secured, the operation of the thermoelectric module 131 is stopped, and only the air discharged from the front air conditioner 20 is used. In this instance, some of the air discharged from the console vent 25d of the front air conditioner 20 is branched by the doors 114 of the right and left connection ducts 110 and flows to the seat ducts 120. When the air branched toward the seat ducts 120 by the doors 114 flows along the seat ducts 120, the discharge holes 121 are closed so that the air does not leak to the discharge holes 121.

[80] On the contrary, when the heating or cooling performance of the front air conditioner 20 is not secured, the thermoelectric module 131 is operated to perform the heating or cooling action, so that the air discharged from the front air conditioner 20 is heat-exchanged again. In this instance, in the aspect of characteristics of the thermoelectric module 131, out of the air heat-exchanged while passing through the thermoelectric module 131, the air located at a side of the thermoelement 132 is heat- exchanged as the air necessary for air-conditioning the seat 10, but the air located at the other side of the thermoelement 132 is heat-exchanged as the air unnecessary for air-conditioning the seat 10.

[81] So, when the thermoelectric module 131 is operated, the conversion door 140 is pivoted to the central point of the thermoelectric module 131 and partitions the downstream side of the thermoelectric module 131 into a passageway facing the seat duct 120 and a passageway direction the inside of the vehicle, so that the air necessary for air-conditioning the seat 10 is sent toward the seat duct 120 but the air unnecessary for air-conditioning the seat 10 is sent toward the inside of the vehicle.

[82] As described above, since the present invention can use the heating and cooling performances of the thermoelectric module 131 of the seat air conditioner 100 and the heating and cooling performances of the front air conditioner 20, it can improve the heating and cooling performances of the seat 10, for instance, quickly perform the heating and cooling actions at the stage of the initial starting of the vehicle.

[83] Moreover, a blower fan 150 can be mounted on the downstream side of the thermoelectric module (131), which is the heat-exchanging means 130.

[84] In the drawings, the blower fan 150 is mounted on the downstream side under the conversion door 140. So, the present invention can independently heat and cool the seat 10 without regard to whether or not the front air conditioner 20 is operated.

[85] That is, even in a state where an engine of the vehicle is stopped and the front air conditioner 20 is not operated, when the thermoelectric module 131 and the blower fan 150 of the seat air conditioner 100 are operated, the seat 10 can be heated or cooled independently.

[86] As described above, since the present invention can heat and cool the seat 10 independently, it can provide the heating and cooling performances if proper electricity can be supplied even while the vehicle is parked.

[87] In addition, the present invention can minimize an occupation space of the seat air conditioner 100 in the vehicle since it heats and cools the seat 10 utilizing the console duct 101, and maximize the heating and cooling performances of the seat 10 using the heating and cooling performances of the front air conditioner 20 since it can effectively distribute the air of the front air conditioner 20 to the seat 10. That is, when the front air conditioner 20 is operated, the present invention can enhance the heating and cooling performances of the seat 10 more.

[88] Moreover, since the seat air conditioner 100 can be operated independently, when the vehicle is parked, the seat can be ventilated using electricity generated from a solar cell or a battery of the vehicle. That is, when the vehicle is parked, a surface temperature of the seat 10 can lower since the outside air is introduced and supplied to the seat 10 by the operation of the blower fan 150.

[89] Additionally, since the outside air is introduced to the inside of the vehicle and the inside air of high temperature is discharged to the outside, an average temperature of the inside of the vehicle can lower. So, the present invention can enhance agreeability when the passenger rides on the vehicle, quickly adjust the inside temperature to a wanted temperature when the passenger operates the air conditioner, whereby the present invention can reduce an energy consumption amount.

[90] Meanwhile, in this description, it is described that air for heating and cooling the seat 10, namely, the driver's seat and the assistant's seat, but even though the vehicle has a number of seats including the rear seat to be heated or cooled, the present invention can supply air for heating and cooling the seats by adding the right and left connection ducts 110, the doors 114 and the seat ducts 120 to the console duct 101.

[91] Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 10 to 12, the action of the seat air conditioner 100 for the vehicles according to the second preferred embodiment will be described. Description of a flow state of the air according to the locations of the doors 114 will be omitted since it has been described in the first preferred embodiment. Just the action of the thermoelectric module, which is the heat-exchanging means 130, will be described.

[92] First, as shown in FIG. 10, when the inside of the vehicle is air-conditioned in a state where the seat air-conditioning is not performed, the operation of the thermoelectric module 131 is stopped, and the conversion door 140 closes the discharge hole 121 formed on the seat duct 120.

[93] In addition, when the air-conditioning of the seat 10 is performed, as shown in

FIGS. 11 and 12, the thermoelectric module 131 is selectively operated. That is, it is preferable that the operation of the thermoelectric module 131 is stopped since the cold air or warm air discharged from the console vent 25d of the front air conditioner 20 and flowing in the console duct 101 is used for air-conditioning the seat 10 in case that the heating or cooling performance of the front air conditioner 20 is secured, but on the contrary, the thermoelectric module 131 is operated when the heating or cooling performance of the front air conditioner 20 is not secured at the stage of the initial starting of the vehicle. Of course, when a quick heating or cooling of the seat 10 is needed, even though the heating or cooling performance of the front air conditioner 20 is secured, the thermoelectric module 131 can be operated.

[94] Moreover, when the heating or cooling performance of the front air conditioner 20 is secured and the operation of the thermoelectric module 131 is stopped, the conversion door 140 mounted on the downstream side of the thermoelectric module 131 closes the discharge hole 121 to prevent that the cold air or warm air discharged from the front air conditioner 20 does not leak to the discharge hole 121 when the cold air or warm air is introduced into the seat duct 120.

[95] Furthermore, when the thermoelectric module 131 is operated, the conversion door

140 is pivoted to the central point of the thermoelectric module 131 to open the discharge hole 121, so that the downstream side of the thermoelectric module 131 is divided into the passageway facing the seat 10 and the passageway facing the inside of the vehicle. So, out of the air heat-exchanged while passing through the thermoelectric module 131, the air necessary for air-conditioning the seat 10 is sent toward the seat duct 120 but the air unnecessary for air-conditioning the seat 10 is sent toward the inside of the vehicle. Industrial Applicability

[96] As described above, since the console duct is divided into the front and rear ducts, and the right and left connection ducts, which are respectively connected with the seat and have the doors mounted therein, are mounted between the front and rear ducts for branching some of air supplied to the rear seat through the console duct and supplying the branched air to the seat to perform seat air-conditioning, the seat air conditioner for the vehicles according to the present invention can minimize the occupation space of the seat air conditioner in the vehicle by utilizing the console duct to effectively distribute the air to the seat without infringing the passenger's space.

[97] In addition, the present invention can minimize the number of components by utilizing the console duct, which is a component of the existing air conditioner, and simplify the entire structure, enhance assemblability and reduce manufacturing expenses by reducing the number of the components.

[98] Moreover, the present invention can prevent noise and relatively reduce a limitation in a space of the seat since there is no need to mount additional air blower on the seat.

[99] Furthermore, the present invention can reduce energy consumption by utilizing a high efficiency of the front air conditioner.

[100] Additionally, the present invention can independently adjust the air volumes supplied to the driver's seat, the assistant's seat and the passenger's seat since it can independently control the doors mounted in the right and left connection ducts by the operating means.

[101] Moreover, the present invention can independently heat and cool the seat since the thermoelectric module and the conversion door are mounted at the position where the air is branched, and enhance the heating and cooling performances of the seat and reduce the energy consumption since it can utilize both of the heating and cooling performances of the seat air conditioner and the heating and cooling performances of the front air conditioner.

[102] Furthermore, the present invention can secure the inside space of the seat to thereby secure installation spaces of various devices in the seat since the seat air conditioner is mounted on the outer surface of the seat.

[103] In addition, the present invention can enhance the passenger's agreeability by lowering the surface temperature and the inside temperature of the seat through ventilation and circulation of air, quickly lower temperature to a wanted temperature when the air conditioner is operated, and reduce energy consumption since the seat air conditioner can be independently operated using electricity of the battery of the vehicle even when the vehicle is parked.

Claims

[1] A seat air conditioner for vehicles, which includes a console duct (101) extending from a console vent (25d) of a front air conditioner (20) to the rear side of a console box to directly supply some of air discharged from the front air conditioner 20 to the rear seat, the console duct (101) having right and left independent air passageways, the seat air conditioner comprising: right and left connection ducts (110) connected between a front duct (102) and a rear duct (103) of the console duct (101), which is dived into the front duct (102) and the rear duct (103), the right and left connection ducts (110) respectively having connection passageways (111) formed in backward and forward dire ctions thereof for communicating air passageways (102a, 103a) of the front and rear ducts (102, 103) with each other and seat passageways (112) formed downwardly; seat ducts (120) for communicatingly connecting the seat passageways (112) of the right and left connection ducts (110) to seats (10) of the vehicle; and opening and closing means (113) mounted in the right and left connection ducts (110) for independently or interlockingly controlling an opening and closing amount of the connection passageways (111) and the seat passageways (112) to thereby branch some of the air blown toward the rear seat through the console duct (101) and selectively supply the branched air to the seat (10).

[2] The seat air conditioner for vehicles according to claim 1, wherein the opening and closing means (113) includes: doors (114) pivotably mounted inside the connection passageways (111) of the right and left connection ducts (110) for adjusting the opening and closing amount of the connection passageways (111) and the seat passageways (112); and at least one operating means (115) mounted at least one of the right and left connection ducts (110) for pivotably operating the doors (114).

[3] The seat air conditioner for vehicles according to claim 2, wherein the door (114) includes a rotary shaft (114b) rotatably coupled to the inner wall of the connection duct (110), and a flat- type plate (114a) formed at a side of the rotary shaft (114b), the plate (114a) being mounted in an opposite direction to a direction of air flowing inside the connection passageway (111).

[4] The seat air conditioner for vehicles according to claim 2, wherein a connection member (118) is mounted between the right and left connection ducts (110) for connecting the rotary shafts (114b) of the doors (114) with each other in such a way that the doors (114) mounted in the connection passageways (111) are si- multaneously and interlockingly operated.

[5] The seat air conditioner for vehicles according to claim 2, wherein a reinforcing member (119) is formed between the right and left connection ducts (110) for keeping the right and left connection ducts (110) at a predetermined interval.

[6] The seat air conditioner for vehicles according to claim 1, further comprising a heat-exchanging means (130) mounted on the downstream side of the seat passageway (112) for heat-exchanging air, which passes through the seat passageway (112).

[7] The seat air conditioner for vehicles according to claim 6, wherein the heat- exchanging means (130) is constructed in such a way as to mount a thermoelectric module (131) in the seat duct (120).

[8] The seat air conditioner for vehicles according to claim 7, further comprising a conversion door (140) mounted on the downstream side of the thermoelectric module (131) for controlling an air flow in such a way as to send air necessary for air-conditioning the seat (10), out of the air heat-exchanged through the thermoelectric module (131), to the seat duct (120) and to send unnecessary air to the inside of the vehicle.

[9] The seat air conditioner for vehicles according to claim 8, wherein the conversion door (140) is pivotably mounted on a side wall of the seat duct (120) and has a discharge hole (121) formed on the side wall of the seat duct (120), on which the conversion door (140) is mounted, for discharging the unnecessary air to the inside of the vehicle.

[10] The seat air conditioner for vehicles according to claim 6, further comprising a blower fan (150) mounted on the downstream side of the heat-exchanging means (130).