DESCRIPTION
Title of Invention: MOBILE VEHICLE
Technical Field
[0001]
The present invention relates to a mobile vehicle, and
in particular to a mobile vehicle including a vehicle
air-conditioning duct that improves the comfort inside a vehicle.
Background Art
[0002]
For improving the comfort inside a vehicle, it is important
to reduce variation in temperature among areas inside the vehicle.
In Europe, in particular, standards relating to the comfort
inside vehicles define allowable temperature variations
(temperature distributions) and wind speed inside vehicles.
The temperature (humidity) inside a vehicle is generally
controlled by an air conditioner.
[0003]
Air whose temperature (humidity) has been controlled by
a vehicle air conditioner (conditioned air) is delivered to
respective areas in the vehicle by distribution ducts
(hereinafter referred to as ducts) disposed in the ceiling and
other parts in the vehicle, and then supplied to the inside of
the vehicle through outlets connected with the ducts. Since
3
the variation in temperature (temperature distribution) inside
a vehicle changes with the air flow rate (supply) and the
temperature of conditioned air expelled through the outlets,
the air flow rate of the conditioned air, in particular, needs
to be optimally controlled so as to improve the comfort inside
the vehicle.
[0004]
Examples of methods for controlling conditioned air
includes a method of adjusting the size of an opening between
a main duct and a plenum chamber (sub-duct) as disclosed in PTL
1 and a method of inserting an air flow rate controlling member,
which is provided in the vertical direction of a vehicle along
the left-right direction of the vehicle, into a duct as disclosed
in PTL 2. Both of the methods disclosed in PTL 1 and PTL 2 employ
systems in which a member for controlling the air flow rate of
conditioned air is provided inside a duct.
Citation List
Patent Literatures
[0005]
PTL 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
H04-334654
PTL 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-6529
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
4
[0006]
In the systems in which a part for controlling the air
flow rate is provided inside a duct, however, as disclosed in
PTL 1 and PTL 2, most of ducts, a ceiling panel, etc., need to
be detached from a vehicle body for readjustment of the air flow
rate of conditioned air, which results in low workability. If
an air flow rate adjusting part does not function as intended
and needs readjustment, for example, a duct has to be detached
from the vehicle body again and the air flow rate then needs
to be adjusted again. The air flow rate adjustment work is thus
a time-consuming work.
[0007]
An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile
vehicle capable of reducing variation in temperature
distribution inside a vehicle compartment and readily adjusting
the air flow rate of conditioned air supplied from an
air-conditioning duct into the vehicle compartment.
Solution to Problem
[0008]
To achieve the aforementioned object, a mobile vehicle
according to an aspect of the present invention relates to a
mobile vehicle including an air conditioner and an
air-conditioning duct, wherein the air-conditioning duct
includes: an air passage formed in an upper part of the mobile
5
vehicle along a longitudinal direction and configured to
distribute conditioned air conditioned by the air conditioner
in the longitudinal direction of the mobile vehicle; and a
plurality of supply ports formed along a longitudinal direction
of the air passage, the supply ports being openings for
discharging the conditioned air in the air passage into a vehicle
compartment of the mobile vehicle, the supply ports are each
provided with a closing plate disposed to cover the supply port
with spaces between the closing plate and the supply port and
between the closing plate and the air-conditioning duct, a
plurality of diverging flow passages for separating conditioned
air exhausted through the supply ports along a width direction
of the mobile vehicle are formed between the closing plates
disposed at the supply ports and the supply ports, the diverging
flow passages each have an outlet through which the conditioned
air in the diverging flow passage is expelled into the mobile
vehicle, and an air flow rate controlling member is disposed
on at least one of each of the supply ports and the corresponding
one of diverging flow passage, the air flow rate controlling
member adjusting an air flow rate of conditioned air passing
through the diverging flow passage.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0009]
According to the present invention, variation in
6
temperature distribution inside a vehicle compartment can be
reduced and the air flow rate of conditioned air supplied from
an air-conditioning duct into the vehicle compartment can be
readily adjusted.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0010]
[FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a mobile
vehicle illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention.
[FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a main
part of a vehicle housing according to the first embodiment of
the present invention.
[FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a main
part of an air passage according to the first embodiment of the
present invention.
[FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining
the flow of conditioned air in the mobile vehicle according to
the first embodiment of the present invention.
[FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a main
part of an air passage illustrating a second embodiment of a
mobile vehicle according to the present invention.
[FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a main
part of an air passage illustrating a third embodiment of a mobile
vehicle according to the present invention.
[FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of a main
7
part of an air passage illustrating a fourth embodiment of a
mobile vehicle according to the present invention.
[FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of a main
part of an air passage illustrating a fifth embodiment of a mobile
vehicle according to the present invention.
Description of Embodiments
[0011]
Embodiments of a mobile vehicle according to the present
invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the
drawings. A mobile vehicle according to the present invention
refers to a vehicle for passenger transportation such as a
railroad vehicle, a streetcar, a monorail car, a vehicle of a
new transportation system, and a bus. The mobile vehicle has
such a structural characteristic as being larger in the size
in the longitudinal direction than that in the width direction.
First Embodiment
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a mobile vehicle
illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention (a
cross-sectional view taken along a cross section of the mobile
vehicle in the longitudinal direction thereof). In FIG. 1, a
mobile vehicle 5 includes a roof structure 10, a pair of side
structures 12, and an underframe 14, in which the roof structure
8
10, the pair of side structures 12, and the underframe 14 are
integrated to constitute a substantially cylindrical vehicle
housing. The vehicle housing is in a form of a cylinder that
is larger in the size in the longitudinal direction (front-back
direction) of the mobile vehicle 5 than that in the width direction
thereof. The roof structure 10 and the underframe 14 are disposed
along an horizontal (width) direction 110, the side structures
12 are disposed along a vertical (height) direction 120, an air
conditioner 60 is disposed on an upper side of the roof structure
10, and a pair of wheels 62 are disposed on a lower side of the
underframe 14.
[0013]
In the inside of the vehicle housing, a ceiling panel 20
is disposed on an upper side, a pair of side panels are disposed
on side face sides, a floor 26 is disposed on a lower side, and
the ceiling panel 20, the pair of side panels 24 and the floor
26 are integrated to constitute a substantially cylindrical
vehicle compartment. The vehicle compartment is in a form of
a cylinder that is larger in the size in the longitudinal direction
(front-back direction) of the mobile vehicle 5 than that in the
width direction thereof. The ceiling panel 20 and the floor
26 are disposed along the horizontal direction 110, the side
panels 24 are disposed substantially along the vertical direction
120, baggage racks 22 are disposed on inner wall surfaces on
upper sides of the respective side panels 24, and seats 27 are
9
fixed onto the floor 26. The baggage racks 22 are not mesh members
but are racks being made of plate members that block passage
of air and have L-shaped cross-sections.
[0014]
In a middle part of the air conditioning ceiling panel
20 in the width direction, an air-conditioning duct 70 (see FIG.
2) through which conditioned air whose temperature, etc., has
been controlled by the air conditioner 60 is supplied to
respective areas in the mobile vehicle 5 is disposed along the
longitudinal direction of the mobile vehicle 5. The
air-conditioning duct having a rectangular shape includes a upper
plate 30 and a lower plate 36 disposed opposite to the upper
plate 30. The lower plate 36 has a size in the width direction
set to be smaller than that of the upper plate 30, and the upper
plate 30 and the lower plate 36 are coupled with each other with
a plurality of supports (not illustrated) arranged at regular
intervals along the longitudinal direction (front-back
direction) of the mobile vehicle 5. The lower plate 36 of the
air-conditioning duct constitutes part of the ceiling panel 20.
[0015]
Although an example in which the air conditioner 60 is
installed on a roof of the mobile vehicle 5 is illustrated in
FIG. 1, the air conditioner 60 may be provided under the underframe
14. In this case, an air-conditioning duct extending in the
vertical direction from the air conditioner 60 installed under
10
the underframe 14 can be raised and connected to the
air-conditioning duct 70 provided on the ceiling, so that a
structure in which conditioned air conditioned by the air
conditioner 60 is distributed in the longitudinal direction of
the mobile vehicle 5 from the upper side (ceiling) of the mobile
vehicle 5 can be obtained, similarly to the case in which the
air conditioner 60 is installed on the roof structure 10 of the
mobile vehicle 5.
[0016]
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of
the vehicle housing. In FIG. 2, the air-conditioning duct 70
serves the functions of delivering conditioned air conditioned
by the air conditioner 60 in the longitudinal direction and the
width direction of the mobile vehicle 5 and supplying the
conditioned air to respective areas in the vehicle compartment
6. The air-conditioning duct 70 thus includes an air passage
35 through which conditioned air is conveyed, and a pair of supply
ports 37 through which the conditioned air is supplied toward
the vehicle compartment 6 of the mobile vehicle 5 at lower
positions on both sides of the air passage 35 in the width direction
110. Each of the supply ports 37 is provided with a closing
plate 40 for covering the supply port 37 with a space left between
the supply ports 37 and the air-conditioning duct.
Alternatively, supply ports 37 may include a plurality of pairs
of supply ports 37, the supply ports 37 of each pair may be arranged
11
on both sides of the lower plate 36, and the supply ports 37
of the pairs may be arranged along the longitudinal direction
of the mobile vehicle 5 at regular intervals.
[0017]
At each of the ends, in the width direction of the mobile
vehicle 5, of the upper plate 30 that is part of the
air-conditioning duct 70, a vertical piece 32 extending from
the upper plate 30 along the vertical direction 120 and a
horizontal piece 34 disposed from a lower end of the vertical
piece 32 along the horizontal direction 110 (in a direction
opposite to middle part of the mobile vehicle 5 in the width
direction) are provided. The vertical piece 32 and the
horizontal piece 34 may be integrally formed in a continuous
shape from the upper plate 30 by bending of a plate or the like,
or the vertical piece 32 may be formed in a curved shape and
the upper plate, the curved shape and the horizontal piece 34
may be provided integrally. At each of the ends of the lower
plate 36 in the width direction 110, a curved portion 38 that
is curved in a convex shape toward the upper plate 30 is formed
integrally with the lower plate 36.
The closing plate 40 is disposed in such a manner that
both ends of the closing plate 40 in the width direction 110
cover the horizontal piece 34 and the curved portion 38 with
spaces left between the closing plate 40 and the horizontal piece
34 and between the closing plate 40 and the curved portion 38.
12
In this case, diverging flow passages 46 and 48 for dividing
conditioned air exhausted through the supply port 37 along the
width direction of the mobile vehicle 5 are formed between each
of the supply ports 37 and the closing plate 40 covering the
supply port 37 and the air-conditioning duct continuous with
the supply port 37, the diverging flow passages 46 and 48 are
provided with outlets 42 and 44, respectively, through which
the conditioned air in the diverging flow passage is expelled
into the vehicle compartment 6 of the mobile vehicle 5, and shields
52 for adjusting the air flow rate of the conditioned air to
be expelled are disposed in the diverging flow passages 46 and
48.
[0018]
FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of
the air passage. The closing plate 40 has one end in the width
direction thereof covering the horizontal piece 34 and another
end in the width direction thereof covering the curved portion
38, with predetermined spaces between the horizontal piece 34
and the closing plate 40 and between the curved portion 38 and
the closing plate 40. The closing plate 40 and the horizontal
piece 34 form the diverging flow passage 48 and the outlet 44
through which the conditioned air is supplied along the ceiling
panel 20 toward the side panel 24, and the closing plate 40 and
the curved portion 38 similarly form the diverging flow passage
46 and the outlet 42 through which the conditioned air is supplied
13
toward the middle part in the width direction of the mobile vehicle
5. Note that these structures are plane-symmetric with respect
to a central cross-section in the width direction of the mobile
vehicle 5.
Specifically, the vertical piece 34, which is part of the
upper plate 30, the curved portion 38, which is part of the lower
plate 36, and the closing plate 40 disposed for covering from
below form the diverging flow passages 46 and 48 along the width
direction 110, so that two flows along the width direction 110
of the conditioned air toward the middle part of the vehicle
body and toward an end in the width direction of the vehicle
body (four flows in total in the entire vehicle body width
direction) are formed.
[0019]
The shields 52, which are air flow rate controlling members
for controlling the air flow rate of conditioned air passing
through the diverging flow passages 46 and 48, are disposed in
the diverging flow passages 46 and 48. The shields 52 are
disposed in the diverging flow passages 46 and 48 along the
longitudinal direction of the mobile vehicle 5, and the shields
52 are disposed on the closing plate 40, the horizontal piece
34, or the curved plate 38.
Note that the curved portion 38 extending in the width
direction of the lower plate 36 need not necessarily have a curved
shape but may be a flat plate extending from the lower plate
14
36. For supplying conditioned air simply toward the middle part
in the width direction of the mobile vehicle 5, the curved portion
38 may be a flat plate. For supplying conditioned air toward
the middle part in the width direction of the mobile vehicle
5 and also positively obtain a downward flow thereof, a curved
portion 38 extending upward may be provided. The description
on the curved portion 38 is also applicable to the embodiments
below.
[0020]
In this case, a flow 72 of conditioned air is formed in
the air passage 35 and the diverging flow passage 46, and a flow
74 of conditioned air is formed in the air passage 35 and the
diverging flow passage 48. The air flow rates of the flows 72
and 74 of the conditioned air are controlled according to the
states of the shields 52, such as the shapes and the sizes (heights)
of the shields 52. Specifically, by detaching a closing plate
40 from the air-conditioning duct 70 and adjusting the states
of the shields 52 by operations from the inside of the vehicle,
the fluid resistances in the diverging flow passages 46 and 48
can be changed, and in this manner, the air flow rates of
conditioned air passing through the diverging flow passages 46
and 48 can be readily adjusted. The shields 52 may be made of
such a material as sponge that is easily processed. The shields
52 may also have sound absorbing properties. The shields 52
made of a sound absorbing material enables noise caused by the
15
flow of conditioned air expelled from the air conditioner 60
through the air-conditioning duct to be reduced through the
outlets 42 and 44.
[0021]
FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the flow
of conditioned air in the mobile vehicle according to the first
embodiment. In FIG. 4, the conditioned air conditioned by the
air conditioner 60 is introduced into the air-conditioning duct
70 (air passage 35) disposed at the middle part in the width
direction on the upper side in the mobile vehicle 5 via a duct
(not illustrated) continuous with the air passage 35. The
conditioned air introduced into the air passage 35 is supplied
through the supply ports 37 formed at both ends in the width
direction of the air-conditioning duct 70 via the diverging flow
passages 46 and 48 into the vehicle compartment 6 through the
outlets 42 and 44 at respective parts in the longitudinal
direction of the mobile vehicle 5 along the air-conditioning
duct 70.
[0022]
The conditioned air expelled through the outlets 42 into
the vehicle compartment 6 toward the center in the width direction
of the mobile vehicle 5 flows through an area below the lower
plate 36 toward the center in the width direction of the mobile
vehicle 5, and at around the center in the width direction of
the mobile vehicle 5, then flows toward the floor 26. The
16
conditioned air hitting the floor 26 separates toward the left
and right side panels 24. The respective separated flows of
conditioned air pass by the floor 26 and are directed to the
side panels 24, hit the panels 24, and then become flows directed
upward in the vertical direction 120 of the mobile vehicle 5
passing along the side panels 24 toward the baggage racks 22.
The conditioned air hitting the baggage racks 22 then flows
through areas under the baggage racks 22 toward the center in
the width direction of the mobile vehicle 5. In this case, lower
flows 76 are formed in the vehicle compartment 6 of the mobile
vehicle 5 by the conditioned air expelled into the vehicle
compartment 6 through the outlets 42.
[0023]
The conditioned air expelled through the outlets 44 into
the vehicle compartment 6 toward the respective corners in the
width direction of the mobile vehicle 5 flows through areas below
the ceiling panel 20 in directions away from the center in the
width direction of the mobile vehicle 5 toward the left and right
side panels 24, hits the side panels 24, and then flows along
the side panels 24 downward in the vertical direction 120 of
the mobile vehicle 5 toward the baggage racks 22. Thereafter,
the conditioned air hits the baggage racks 22, and then flows
through areas above the baggage racks 22 toward the center in
the width direction of the mobile vehicle 5. In this case, upper
flows 78 are formed in the vehicle compartment 6 of the mobile
17
vehicle 5 by the conditioned air expelled into the vehicle
compartment 6 through the outlets 44.
[0024]
Since the directions in which the conditioned air expelled
through the outlets 42 and 44 into the vehicle compartment 6
are not downward in the vertical direction 120 but are along
the ceiling panel 20 as described above, the distance by which
the conditioned air expelled through the outlets 42 and 44 flows
down until the conditioned air reaches to a lower area of the
vehicle compartment 6 becomes longer, which makes the wind speed
of the conditioned air lower and reduces drafts felt by passengers.
Furthermore, since the air in the vehicle is mixed while the
conditioned air passes a long distance, temperature distribution
with low temperature variation can be obtained.
[0025]
If the air flow rate of conditioned air expelled into the
vehicle compartment 6 through the outlets 42 and 44 is too high
at a certain area in the mobile vehicle 5, the air flow rates
of the conditioned air passing through the diverging flow
passages 46 and 48 only need to be lowered. Conversely, if the
air flow rate of conditioned air is too low, the air flow rates
of the conditioned air passing through the diverging flow
passages 46 and 48 only need to be increased. The air flow rates
of the conditioned air can be adjusted by changing the sizes
and the shapes of the shields 52 disposed in the diverging flow
18
passages 46 and 48. In this case, the sizes and the shapes of
the shields 52 disposed in the diverging flow passages 46 and
48 can be changed independently of each other.
[0026]
As a result of expelling the conditioned air through the
outlets 42 and 44 continuous with the diverging flow passages
46 and 48, respectively, the conditioned air expelled through
the outlets 42 mainly circulates in the entire lower area
surrounded by the baggage racks 22, the side panels 24 and the
floor 26 in the vehicle compartment 6 and forms the lower flows
76 while the conditioned air expelled through the outlets 44
mainly circulates in the entire upper area surrounded by the
ceiling panel 20 and the baggage racks 22 in the vehicle
compartment 6 and forms the upper flows 78, which makes the
variation in temperature in vehicle compartment 6 smaller.
[0027]
According to the present embodiment, variation in
temperature distribution inside the vehicle compartment can be
reduced and the air flow rates of conditioned air supplied from
the air-conditioning duct into the vehicle compartment can be
readily adjusted. Furthermore, according to the present
embodiment, a comfortable environment in a vehicle where the
wind speed is low can be provided, and the number of processes
for adjusting the air flow rate can be reduced since the air
flow rate of conditioned air can be readily adjusted.
19
Second Embodiment
[0028]
FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of
an air passage illustrating a second embodiment of a mobile
vehicle according to the present invention. As illustrated in
FIG. 5, the present embodiment includes a bent portion 38a, which
is an air flow rate controlling member, formed at an end in the
width direction of the curved portion 38 of the lower plate 36,
for adjusting the air flow rate of the conditioned air passing
through the supply port 37 and the diverging flow passage 46
instead of the shields 52 disposed on the closing plate 40, and
includes an auxiliary vertical piece 32a, which is an air flow
rate controlling member, provided on the vertical piece 32 of
the upper plate 30, for adjusting the air flow rate of the
conditioned air passing through the supply port 37 and the
diverging flow passage 48. The other structures are the same
as those in the first embodiment.
[0029]
Since the bent portion 38a is formed in a form of a protruding
piece bent into the diverging flow passage 46 from the supply
port 37, which is an end in the width direction of the curved
portion 38 of the lower plate 36, along the longitudinal direction
of the mobile vehicle 5, and since the fluid resistance in the
diverging flow passage 46 changes with the form of the bent portion
20
38a, such as the bending angle thereof, the air flow rate of
the conditioned air passing through the supply port 37 and the
diverging flow passage 46 can be readily adjusted. The auxiliary
vertical piece 32a is formed in the form of a protruding piece
protruding into the diverging flow passage 48 from the supply
port 37 under the vertical piece 32 of the upper plate 30 along
the longitudinal direction of the mobile vehicle 5, and fixed
at the supply port 37 under the vertical piece 32 of the upper
plate 30. Since the fluid resistance in the diverging flow
passage 48 changes with the form of the auxiliary vertical piece
32a, such as the size and the shape thereof, the air flow rate
of the conditioned air passing through the supply port 37 and
the diverging flow passage 48 can be readily adjusted.
[0030]
In this process, the space between the bent portion 38a
and the closing plate 40 (the diameter of the diverging flow
passage 46) can be adjusted with the bending amount of the bent
portion 38a. The space between the auxiliary vertical piece
32a and the closing plate 40 (the diameter of the diverging flow
passage 48) can be adjusted with the length of the auxiliary
vertical piece 32a. Note that the bent portion 38a may be formed
as a member separate from the curved portion 38 instead of being
formed integrally with the curved portion 38.
[0031]
According to the present embodiment, the same effects as
21
those of the first embodiment can be produced, and since no
complicated adjustment mechanism is present, the number of
required parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.
Third Embodiment
[0032]
FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of
an air passage illustrating a third embodiment of a mobile vehicle
according to the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 6,
the present embodiment includes an air flow rate adjusting plate
39, which is an air flow rate controlling member, movably fixed
to an end in the width direction of the curved portion 38 of
the lower plate 36, for adjusting the air flow rate of the
conditioned air passing through the supply port 37 and the
diverging flow passage 46 instead of the shields 52 disposed
on the closing plate 40, and includes an air flow rate adjusting
plate 39, which is an air flow rate controlling member, movably
fixed to the vertical piece 32 of the upper plate 30, for adjusting
the air flow rate of the conditioned air passing through the
supply port 37 and the diverging flow passage 48. The other
structures are the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0033]
The air flow rate adjusting plates 39 are formed in a
substantially rectangular parallelpiped shape with the
longitudinal direction thereof extending along the longitudinal
22
direction of the mobile vehicle 5, and disposed at an end of
the curved portion 38 and near the vertical piece 32 of the
horizontal piece 34 in such a manner that the air flow rate
adjusting plates 39 are movable along the direction intersecting
with the diameter of the supply port 37 (height direction). The
air flow rate adjusting plates 39 have slots 39a open in the
height direction, and are fixed by fastening members, such as
screws (not illustrated) inserted in the slots 39a. In this
case, the screws inserted in the slots 39a can be unfastened
so that the fixing positions of the air flow rate adjusting plates
39 can be determined along the direction intersecting with the
diameter of the supply port 37 (vertical direction 120).
[0034]
Since the fluid resistance in the diverging flow passage
46 can be adjusted by fixing the air flow rate adjusting plate
39 at the supply port 37 at the end in the width direction of
the curved portion 38 of the lower plate 36, the air flow rate
of the conditioned air passing through the supply port 37 and
the diverging flow passage 46 can be readily adjusted.
Specifically, the space between the air flow rate adjusting plate
39 fixed at the supply port 37 at the end in the width direction
of the curved portion 38 and the closing plate 40 (the diameter
of part of the diverging flow passage 46) can be adjusted by
the fastening position of the air flow rate adjusting plate 39
and the screw inserted in the slot 39a, and the air flow rate
23
of the conditioned air passing through the supply port 37 and
the diverging flow passage 46 can be readily adjusted.
[0035]
Furthermore, since the fluid resistance in the diverging
flow passage 48 can be adjusted by fixing the air flow rate
adjusting plate 39 at the supply port 37 under the vertical piece
32 of the upper plate 30, the air flow rate of the conditioned
air passing through the supply port 37 and the diverging flow
passage 48 can be readily adjusted. Specifically, the space
between the air flow rate adjusting plate 39 fixed at the supply
port 37 under the vertical piece 32 and the closing plate 40
(the diameter of part of the diverging flow passage 48) can be
adjusted by the fastening position of the air flow rate adjusting
plate 39 and the screw inserted in the slot 39a, the air flow
rate of the conditioned air passing through the supply port 37
and the diverging flow passage 48 can be readily adjusted.
[0036]
According to the present embodiment, the same effects as
those of the first embodiment can be produced, and since the
slots 39a are formed in the air flow rate adjusting plates 39,
the spaces between the lower ends of the air flow rate adjusting
plates 39 and the closing plate 40 can be adjusted by unfastening
the screws (fastening members) and determining the fastening
positions, and the air flow rates of the conditioned air passing
through the supply port 37 and the diverging flow passages 46
24
and 48 can be readily adjusted.
Fourth Embodiment
[0037]
FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of
an air passage illustrating a fourth embodiment of a mobile
vehicle according to the present invention. As illustrated in
FIG. 7, the present embodiment includes a plurality of screw
seats 31 formed at positions on the upper plate 30 facing the
supply port 37 (on an air passage wall surface facing the closing
plate 40) and a plurality of supports 54 fixed to the closing
plate 40 covering the supply port 37, which are respectively
coupled to each other, instead of the shields 52 disposed on
the closing plate 40, where the distance between the supply port
37 and the closing plate 40 is adjusted by rotation of the supports
54. The other structures are the same as those in the first
embodiment.
[0038]
The supports 54 are formed in a columnar shape and have
screw portions (not illustrated) formed on part of the outer
surfaces thereof. Each of the supports 54 has one end in the
axial direction fixed to the closing plate 40 and has a screw
portion on the other end in the axial direction engaged with
the screw seat 31. Specifically, the screw portions of the
supports 54 are engaged with the screw seats 31, so that the
25
supports 54 are rotatably coupled to the screw seats 31. In
this case, the engagement positions of the supports 54 and the
screw seats 31 change with the rotations of the supports 54,
and with these engagement positions of the supports 54 and the
screw seats 31, the distance between the supply port 37 and the
closing plate 40 is adjusted and the diameters of the diverging
flow passages 46 and 48 (the space between the curved portion
38 and the closing plate 40 and the space between the horizontal
piece 34 and the closing plate 40) are adjusted.
[0039]
Specifically, a support 54 disposed on the curved portion
38 side among the supports 54 is rotated to change the position
of the support 54 and a corresponding screw seat 31, so that
the diameter of the diverging flow passage 46 (the space between
the curved portion 38 and the closing plate 40) can be adjusted.
Alternatively, a support 54 disposed on the horizontal piece
34 side is rotated to change the position of the support 54 and
the corresponding screw seat 31, so that the diameter of the
diverging flow passage 48 (the space between the horizontal piece
34 and the closing plate 40) can be adjusted.
[0040]
Furthermore, heat insulating materials 11 are disposed
between the roof structure 10 and ceiling panel 20 and between
the roof structure 10 and the upper plate 30. The heat insulating
materials 11 are made of fiber, no problem is caused when the
26
ends of the supports 54 in the axial direction locally press
the heat insulating materials 11.
[0041]
According to the present embodiment, the same effects as
those of the first embodiment can be produced, and since the
air flow rates of conditioned air passing through the diverging
flow passages 46 and 48 can be adjusted without detachment of
parts of the air-conditioning duct, a mobile vehicle 5 having
temperature distribution with low variation can be produced
through a short-time process.
Fifth Embodiment
[0042]
FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of
an air passage illustrating a fifth embodiment of a mobile vehicle
according to the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 8,
the present embodiment includes a light power supply 50 disposed
on the closing plate 40, a reflector 56 coupled to the closing
plate 40 with a plurality of supports 58 therebetween, and an
electric light 51 disposed between the closing plate 40 and the
reflector 56, so that power from the light power supply 50 is
supplied to the electric light 51 and light from the electric
light 51 is reflected by the reflector 56 to provide indirect
lighting. The other structures are the same as those in the
first embodiment.
27
[0043]
The light power supply 50 is fixed to a surface, facing
the supply port 37, of the closing plate 40 (the upper surface
of the closing plate 40). The electric light 51 to which power
is supplied by the light power supply 50 is disposed in the middle
in the width direction on a rear side (the lower surface of the
closing plate 40) of the surface, facing the supply port 37,
of the closing plate 40. Furthermore, the reflector 56 disposed
on a side closer to the vehicle compartment 6 than the closing
plate 40 to cover the closing plate 40 and the electric light
51 and reflect light from the electric light 51 is coupled to
the rear surface of the closing plate 40 with a plurality of
coupling members, such as rectangular supports 58, therebetween.
The reflector 56 is formed of a light reflective member that
basically does not transmit light into a size sufficient to cover
up the closing plate 40, and disposed below the closing plate
40 and along the longitudinal direction of mobile vehicle 5.
[0044]
As a result of installing the reflector 56 below the closing
plate 40, the shields 52, which are air flow rate controlling
members, cannot be seen by passengers in the vehicle compartment
6, which can improve the visual quality of interior parts.
Furthermore, as a result of installing the electric light 51
between the closing plate 40 and the reflector 56, indirect
lighting is produced, which can improve the design.
28
[0045]
According to the present embodiment, the same effects as
those of the first embodiment can be produced, and since the
electric light 51 is disposed at the center in the width direction
of the mobile vehicle 5, the numbers of electric lights 51 and
supports 58 can be reduced as compared to a case in which the
electric light 51 and the air-conditioning duct are disposed
at an end in the width direction of the mobile vehicle 5, which
can reduce the cost and the weight of the ducts. Furthermore,
if part of the reflector 56 is replaced with a light transmissive
material, both indirect lighting and direct lighting can be
provided in good balance.
[0046]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the
embodiments described above, but includes various modifications.
For example, in the first to fourth embodiments, the electric
light 51 may be disposed on the surface, facing the supply port
37, of the closing plate 40. The embodiments described above
provide simple explanation of the present invention, and are
not necessarily limited to those including all the features
described above. Furthermore, some of features of an embodiment
may be replaced with features of another embodiment, and a feature
of an embodiment may be added to features of another embodiment.
Some of the features in the embodiments may additionally include
other features, may be deleted, or may be replaced with other
29
features.
Reference Signs List
[0047]
5 mobile vehicle
6 vehicle compartment
10 roof structure
11 heat insulating material
12 side structure
14 underframe
20 ceiling panel
22 baggage rack
24 side panel
26 floor
27 seat
30 upper plate
31 screw seat
32 vertical piece
32a auxiliary vertical piece
34 horizontal piece
35 air passage
36 lower plate
37 supply port
38 curved portion
38a bent portion
30
39 air flow rate adjusting plate
40 closing plate
42, 44 outlet
46, 48 diverging flow passage
50 light power supply
51 electric light
52 shield
54 support
56 reflector
58 support
60 air conditioner
62 wheel
70 air-conditioning duct
110 horizontal direction
120 vertical direction

WE CLAIM:
[Claim 1]
A mobile vehicle comprising: an air conditioner configured
to generate conditioned air; and an air-conditioning duct
provided along a longitudinal direction in a ceiling part of
the mobile vehicle and configured to circulate the conditioned
air, wherein
the air-conditioning duct includes diverging flow
passages constituted by an upper plate, horizontal pieces
provided at both ends in a width direction of the upper plate;
a lower plate provided opposite to the upper plate, and closing
plates each overlapping with one of the horizontal pieces and
one of ends in the width direction of the lower plate from below
with a predetermined space therefrom, and
air flow rate controlling members for adjusting air flow
rates of the conditioned air passing through the respective
diverging flow passages are provided in the respective diverging
flow passages.
[Claim 2]
The mobile vehicle according to claim 1, comprising curved
plates curving in a convex shape at both ends in the width direction
of the lower plate, wherein
the diverging flow passages are constituted by the curved
plates, the horizontal pieces, and the closing plates.
[Claim 3]
32
The mobile vehicle according to claim 1, wherein
the air flow rate controlling members are each constituted
by a plurality of shields disposed in each of the diverging flow
passages, and
the air flow rate of the conditioned air passing through
each of the diverging flow passages is adjusted by forms of the
shields.
[Claim 4]
The mobile vehicle according to claim 1, wherein
the air flow rate controlling members are each constituted
by protruding pieces provided at an end in the width direction
of the lower plate and at one of the horizontal pieces, the
protruding pieces protruding or being bent toward an inside of
corresponding one of the diverging flow passages, and
the air flow rate of the conditioned air passing through
each of the diverging flow passages is adjusted by forms of the
protruding pieces.
[Claim 5]
The mobile vehicle according to claim 1, wherein
the air flow rate controlling members are each constituted
by a plurality of air flow rate adjusting plates disposed in
corresponding one of the diverging flow passages,
each of the air flow rate adjusting plates has a slot
extending in a height direction,
each of the air flow rate adjusting plates is fixed by
33
fastening a fastening member inserted in the slot to the diverging
flow passage, and
the air flow rate of the conditioned air passing through
each of the diverging flow passages is adjusted by fastening
positions of the air flow rate adjusting plates and the fastening
members inserted in the slots.
[Claim 6]
The mobile vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the
closing plates are each connected by a support having a screw
portion,
the upper plate is provided with a screw seat to be engaged
with the screw portion, and
the support is operated so that a distance between the
closing plate and the lower plate and a distance between the
closing plate and the horizontal piece are adjusted and that
the air flow rate of air flowing through each of the diverging
flow passages is adjusted.
[Claim 7]
The mobile vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a light
power supply is disposed on an upper surface of each of the closing
plates, an electric light to which power is supplied by the light
power supply is disposed on a lower surface of the closing plate,
and a reflector for reflecting light from the electric light
is disposed below the closing plate and connected with the closing plate with a coupling member.