JP2006298016A - Air conditioner for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently air-condition a vehicle room. <P>SOLUTION: A steering wheel surface temperature Tst and a seat surface temperature Tseat are detected by an infrared sensor and an indoor temperature is detected (100, 102), a circumferential temperature is efficiently lowered around a steering wheel periphery by air-conditioning air blown out from a blowout port 44B when the steering wheel surface temperature Tst is the highest, the circumferential temperature is efficiently lowered around a vehicle seat periphery by air-conditioning air blown out from the blowout port for seat air-conditioning when the seat surface temperature Tseat is the highest, and the indoor temperature is efficiently lowered around a driver's seat periphery (104 to 116) when the indoor temperature Tr is the highest. Consequently, it is possible to efficiently air-condition the vehicle room by detecting the surface temperature of an article in the vehicle room, specifying the article in the vehicle room that is most-required to be air-conditioned, and controlling air-conditioning so that the specified article is preferentially air-conditioned. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner, and more particularly, to a vehicle air conditioner provided with a pre-air conditioning function that air-conditions a passenger compartment in advance before a passenger gets on the vehicle.

  In recent years, vehicle air conditioners have various types of so-called pre-air-conditioning that pre-air-conditions a passenger compartment before a passenger gets in by a preset driving method by an instruction using a remote controller or a timer setting from a passenger. Technology has been proposed.

For example, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is proposed that the louver is controlled so that the conditioned air blown from the center face blow-out opening hits the steering or the seat back when the air-conditioning operation is started by the remote control engine starter. ing. As a result, when the vehicle air conditioner is started by the remote controller and gets into the vehicle, even if the body touches the vehicle inner member, the temperature difference between the two is small and uncomfortable feeling does not occur.
JP-A-11-208246

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the air-conditioning blowout to the steering and the air-conditioning blowout to the seat back are controlled in this order, but the temperature of the parts differs depending on the heat capacity of the parts and how the sun hits. It is not always preferable to control the seat back in order, and there is room for improvement in order to efficiently air-condition the vehicle interior.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described facts, and an object thereof is to efficiently air-condition a vehicle interior.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is directed to an air conditioner capable of changing a temperature control object to be preferentially temperature-controlled in a vehicle interior, a detection means for detecting the temperature in the vehicle interior, and a vehicle interior object. A surface temperature detecting means for detecting the surface temperature of the sensor, a determining means for determining the temperature control object to be preferentially controlled based on the detection results of the detecting means and the surface temperature detecting means, and the determination means determined by the determining means And a control means for controlling the air conditioner so as to preferentially control the temperature control target.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner, the temperature control target to be preferentially temperature controlled in the passenger compartment can be changed. For example, the air conditioner changes the temperature control target to be preferentially temperature controlled using the blowing direction changing means for changing the blowing direction of the blowing outlet for blowing the conditioned air as in the invention described in claim 2. Alternatively, as in the third aspect of the invention, the temperature control target to be preferentially temperature-controlled is changed by using the seat air conditioner according to the presence or absence of the operation of the seat air conditioner. It may be.

  The detecting means detects the temperature inside the vehicle interior, and the surface temperature detecting means detects the surface temperature of the vehicle interior (for example, steering, vehicle seat, shift knob, side brake, etc.). For example, the surface temperature detecting means can detect the surface temperature of the vehicle interior object by applying an infrared sensor as in the invention described in claim 4.

  In the determining means, a temperature control object to be preferentially controlled based on the detection results of the detecting means and the surface temperature detecting means is determined, and the control means preferentially controls the temperature control object determined by the determining means. Thus, the air conditioning means is controlled.

  For example, when the air conditioner performs cooling, the determining unit determines the temperature control target to preferentially control the temperature of the vehicle interior temperature and the surface temperature of the vehicle interior object that is highest. And a control means controls an air conditioner so that the determined temperature control object may be air-conditioned. That is, in the case of cooling, the vehicle interior can be efficiently air-conditioned by controlling the air conditioner so as to preferentially cool the temperature control target having the highest temperature. Also, in the case of heating, contrary to cooling, it is possible to efficiently perform air conditioning by deciding the one having the lowest temperature as a temperature control target to be preferentially temperature controlled and performing air conditioning. .

  In addition, when pre-air conditioning is performed by applying the vehicle air conditioner of the present invention to an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, the time for performing pre-air conditioning is limited depending on the battery capacity, but the temperature control is preferentially performed as described above. By determining the temperature control target to be performed and performing air conditioning, it is possible to efficiently perform air conditioning within a limited time and to reduce the battery load.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the vehicle interior temperature and the vehicle interior object temperature are detected, the temperature control target to be preferentially temperature-controlled is determined based on the detection result, and the temperature control is preferentially performed. By controlling, there is an effect that the vehicle interior can be efficiently air-conditioned.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The vehicle air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention detects the surface temperature of the steering 56 or the vehicle seat 58 as the vehicle interior by the infrared sensor 26 provided in the vehicle interior, and preferentially based on the detection result. Air conditioning is performed by determining the temperature control target to be temperature controlled.

  In the vehicle air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention, the blowing direction of the conditioned air blown from the blowing port 44 can be changed. For example, the blowing direction can be changed to the steering direction or the driver's seat direction. ing. Furthermore, the vehicle seat 58 is provided with a seat air conditioner 12 (see FIG. 2) that blows warm air or cold air.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the vehicle air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the vehicle air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the vehicle air conditioner 10, a refrigerant cycle including a compressor 14, a condenser 16, an expansion valve 18, and an evaporator 20 constitutes a refrigeration cycle.

  The evaporator 20 cools the air passing through the evaporator 20 (hereinafter referred to as air after the evaporator) by vaporizing the compressed and liquefied refrigerant. At this time, the evaporator 20 cools the passing air so as to condense moisture in the air, thereby dehumidifying the air after the evaporator 20.

  The expansion valve 18 provided on the upstream side of the evaporator 20 supplies the liquefied refrigerant in the form of a mist by rapidly depressurizing the refrigerant, whereby the refrigerant in the evaporator 20 is supplied. Vaporization efficiency is improved.

  In the present embodiment, the compressor 14 of the vehicle air conditioner 10 is configured to apply an electric compressor so that the refrigerant can be circulated even when the vehicle power (for example, an engine or a motor) is not operated. Yes. When the vehicle power is operating, the compressor 14 may be driven by the vehicle power. Moreover, when using the motive power of a vehicle, you may make it apply not a motorized compressor but a mechanical compressor.

  The evaporator 20 of the vehicle air conditioner 10 is provided inside the air conditioning duct 38. The air conditioning duct 38 is open at both ends, and air intake ports 40 and 42 are formed at one opening end. Further, a plurality of air outlets 44 (44A, 44B, and 44C are shown as an example in the present embodiment) that are opened toward the vehicle interior are formed at the other opening end.

  The air inlet 42 communicates with the outside of the vehicle and can introduce outside air into the air conditioning duct 38. Further, the air intake port 40 communicates with the vehicle interior, and air (inside air) in the vehicle interior can be introduced into the air conditioning duct 38. The air outlets 44 are, for example, a defroster outlet 44A that blows out air toward the windshield glass, a side and center register outlet 44B, and a foot outlet 44C. The blowing direction can be changed, and the blowing direction is changed by the blowing motor 13.

  A blower fan 46 is provided in the air conditioning duct 38 between the evaporator 20 and the air intake ports 40 and 42. A mode switching damper 48 is provided in the vicinity of the air intake ports 40 and 42. The mode switching damper 48 opens and closes the air intake ports 40 and 42 by the operation of an actuator such as the mode switching damper motor 24.

  The blower fan 46 is rotated by driving the blower motor 22, sucked into the air conditioning duct 38 from the air intake port 40 to the air intake port 42, and further sends this air toward the evaporator 20. At this time, outside air or inside air is introduced into the air conditioning duct 38 in accordance with the open / close state of the air intake ports 40 and 42 by the mode switching damper 48. That is, the mode switching damper 48 switches between the inside air circulation mode and the outside air introduction mode.

  An air mix damper 50 and a heater core 52 are provided downstream of the evaporator 20. The air mix damper 50 is rotated by driving the air mix damper motor 36 to adjust the amount of air after the evaporator 20 that passes through the heater core 52 and the amount that bypasses the heater core 52. The heater core 52 heats the air guided by the air mix damper 50.

  The air after the evaporator 20 is guided to the heater core 52 according to the opening degree of the air mix damper 50 and heated, and further mixed with the air not heated by the heater core 52 and then sent to the air outlet 44. Is done. In the vehicle air conditioner 10, the air mix damper 50 is controlled to adjust the amount of air heated by the heater core 52, thereby adjusting the temperature of the air blown out from the air blowing port 44 toward the vehicle interior.

  In the vicinity of the air outlet 44, an outlet switching damper 54 is provided. In the vehicle air conditioner 10, the air outlets 44 </ b> A, 44 </ b> B, and 44 </ b> C are opened and closed by the outlet switching damper 54, so that the temperature-adjusted air can be blown from a desired position into the vehicle interior. The operation of the outlet switching damper 54 may be performed by driving the outlet switching damper motor 34 in accordance with the operation mode in which the vehicle air conditioner 10 is set. The air blowing port 44 may be opened and closed.

  The vehicle air conditioner 10 includes an air conditioner ECU 11 for performing various controls of the vehicle air conditioner 10. The air conditioner ECU 11 includes a blower motor 22, a mode switching damper motor 24, an air mix damper motor 36, an outlet motor 13, an outlet switching damper motor 34, a compressor 14, an outside air temperature sensor 32, and an inside air temperature sensor 30. And the solar radiation sensor 28 are connected, and an operation unit 15 for setting the temperature of the air conditioner 10 for the vehicle, selection of the outlet, etc. is connected, and an outside air temperature sensor 32, an inside air temperature sensor 30, and The detection value of the solar radiation sensor 28 is input to the air conditioner ECU 11, and various controls according to the setting of the operation unit 15 and the like are performed based on the detection value of each sensor.

  Specifically, the air conditioner ECU 11 has a pre-air-conditioning function for pre-air-conditioning before boarding, and uses power of a battery mounted on the vehicle or power for running the vehicle such as an engine or a motor during pre-air-conditioning. And the compressor 14 and various motors can be driven. When air conditioning is performed, the air conditioning is performed by performing mode switching control of the inside air circulation mode and the outside air introduction mode, on / off control of the compressor 14 and the like based on the detection result of each sensor and the setting content of the operation unit 15. Do.

  The air conditioner ECU 11 is connected to the infrared sensor 26 and the seat air conditioner 12 described above. Based on the detection results of the internal air temperature sensor 30 and the infrared sensor 26, a temperature control target to be preferentially temperature controlled is determined. In addition, the seat air conditioner 12 and the outlet motor 13 are controlled to preferentially control the determined temperature control target.

  Infrared sensor 26 consists of a matrix-like infrared sensor, for example, and detects the surface temperature of steering 56 and vehicle seat 58 in this embodiment as the surface temperature of the vehicle interior. The infrared sensor 26 according to the present embodiment is a single infrared sensor, for example, by applying a matrix-shaped infrared sensor and pre-assigning each lattice point of the matrix corresponding to the steering 56, the vehicle seat 58, and the like. Thus, the surface temperatures of a plurality of vehicle interior items can be detected. In the present embodiment, the surface temperatures of the steering 56 and the vehicle seat 58 are detected as vehicle interior objects, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the surface temperature of a shift knob, a side brake, or the like is further detected. You may make it do. In the present embodiment, the surface temperature of a plurality of vehicle interior objects is detected by one infrared sensor 26, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of vehicle interior objects for detecting the surface temperature are detected. An infrared sensor may be provided, and the surface temperature of a plurality of vehicle interior items such as the steering 56 and the vehicle seat 58 may be detected by each infrared sensor. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the infrared sensor 26 is used to detect the surface temperature of the vehicle interior object, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other temperature detection sensors may be applied.

  The seat air conditioner 12 is provided with, for example, a ventilation duct, a blower unit, a heat exchanger, and the like on a vehicle seat, and blows warm air or cold air from the seat skin. As a heat exchanger of seat air conditioner 12, a Peltier heat exchanger etc. are applicable, for example. The Peltier exchanger is a heat exchanger consisting of a metal plate and a semiconductor. It can switch between heat absorption and heat generation according to the direction of current, and the amount of heat exchange can be adjusted according to the voltage, thereby enabling air conditioning of vehicle seats. Become. Note that the configuration of the seat air conditioner is not limited to the above, and other configurations may be applied.

  Next, the operation of the vehicle air conditioner 10 configured as described above according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing performed by the air conditioner ECU 11 when pre-air conditioning is instructed in the vehicle air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention. Note that the pre-air-conditioning instruction is given by, for example, a remote controller carried by the passenger. Moreover, in FIG. 3, it demonstrates as a process performed when cooling as pre air conditioning.

  That is, when pre-air conditioning is instructed by a remote controller or the like, in step 100, the steering surface temperature Tst and the seat surface temperature Tseat are detected, and the process proceeds to step 102. That is, the surface temperature of the steering 56 and the vehicle seat 58 is detected by the infrared sensor 26 and is taken into the air conditioner ECU 11.

  In step 102, the vehicle interior temperature Tr is detected by the inside air temperature sensor 30 and is taken into the air conditioner ECU 11, and the routine proceeds to step 104.

  In step 104, the vehicle interior temperature Tr, the steering surface temperature Tst, and the seat surface temperature Tseat taken into the air conditioner ECU 11 are compared, and the routine proceeds to step 106.

  In step 106, it is determined whether or not the steering surface temperature Tst is the highest as a result of the comparison in step 104. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 108. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 110. .

  In step 108, the seat air conditioner 12 and the outlet motor 13 are controlled so that the seat air conditioner 12 is turned off and the outlet direction is the steering 56, and the routine proceeds to step 116. That is, the temperature control object to be preferentially temperature controlled is determined to the steering 56. When the air conditioning is started in this way, the temperature of the steering 56 is preferentially controlled by the conditioned air blown from the outlet 44B.

  In step 110, it is determined whether or not the sheet surface temperature Tseat is the highest temperature as a result of the comparison in step 104. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 112. It is determined that the temperature Tr is the highest, and the routine proceeds to step 114.

  In step 112, the seat air conditioner 12 and the outlet motor 13 are controlled so that the seat air conditioner 12 is turned on and the outlet direction is the vehicle seat (driver seat center) 58, and the routine proceeds to step 116. That is, the vehicle seat 58 is determined as a temperature control target to be preferentially temperature controlled. Thus, when the air conditioning is started, the temperature of the vehicle seat 58 is preferentially controlled by the conditioned air blown from the seat air conditioner 12 and the outlet 44B.

  Further, in step 114, the seat air conditioner 12 and the outlet motor 13 are controlled so that the seat air conditioner 12 is turned off and the outlet direction is the vehicle seat (driver seat center) 58, and the routine proceeds to step 116. . That is, the temperature control target to be preferentially temperature controlled is determined in the vehicle interior. Thus, when the air conditioning is started, the temperature of the passenger compartment is preferentially controlled by the conditioned air blown from the outlet 44B. In this embodiment, when the temperature of the passenger compartment is controlled with priority, the direction of the outlet is set to the center of the driver's seat. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the outlet can adjust the temperature of the passenger compartment with priority. Any orientation is acceptable.

  And if the temperature control object to preferentially control the temperature is determined and controlled so as to control the temperature as in steps 106 to 114, in step 116, the outside air temperature sensor 32, the inside air temperature sensor 30, and the solar radiation sensor. Pre-air conditioning is started based on the detection result of each sensor such as 28, and a series of processes is completed. That is, when dehumidification is instructed by the operation unit 15 (when the air conditioner switch is on), the compressor 14 is driven and the air mix damper 50 is driven so that the temperature preset in the operation unit 15 is reached. When the blower motor 22 is driven and air conditioning of the vehicle interior is started and dehumidification is not instructed, the air mix damper 50 is driven so that the temperature set in advance in the operation unit 15 is reached. When the blower motor 22 is driven, air conditioning in the passenger compartment is started.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the steering surface temperature Tst is the highest, the ambient temperature can be efficiently lowered around the periphery of the steering 56 by the conditioned air blown from the outlet 44B. When the temperature Tseat is the highest, the ambient temperature can be efficiently lowered around the vehicle seat 58 by the conditioned air blown from the seat air conditioner 12 and the outlet 44B, and the vehicle interior temperature Tr is the highest. In this case, the temperature in the passenger compartment can be efficiently lowered around the driver's seat. Accordingly, the surface temperature of the vehicle interior object is detected to identify the vehicle interior object requiring the most temperature control, and control is performed so that the specified vehicle interior object is preferentially temperature controlled. Can be air-conditioned. In particular, when the pre-air conditioning is performed when the steering wheel or the seat is hot, the effect of the pre-air conditioning can be sufficiently exhibited.

  In addition, when the vehicle air conditioner 10 according to the present embodiment is applied to an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or the like, the time for performing the pre-air conditioning by the battery capacity is limited, but the temperature control is preferentially performed as described above. By determining the temperature control target to be performed and performing air conditioning, it is possible to efficiently perform air conditioning within a limited time and to reduce the battery load.

  In the above embodiment, the case of performing cooling as air conditioning has been described as an example.However, the present invention is not limited to cooling, and a temperature control target to be preferentially temperature controlled during heating is determined, Pre-air conditioning can be performed. That is, it is only necessary to specify the coolest vehicle interior and preferentially heat it.

  In the above embodiment, the seat air conditioner 12 and the outlet direction are controlled. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the air volume may be further controlled.

  In the above embodiment, when pre-air conditioning is performed, the temperature control target to be preferentially temperature-controlled is determined and air conditioning is performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and normal air conditioning is performed. (For example, when an occupant gives an air-conditioning start instruction by operating the operation unit 15 or the like), similarly to the above-described embodiment, a temperature control target to be preferentially temperature-controlled is determined and air-conditioning is performed. It may be.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the air conditioner and the seat air conditioner that are normally mounted on the vehicle are controlled objects. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and examples of the controlled object include a seat heater and a steering heater. These air conditioners may be controlled, or may be further included in the above embodiment.

It is a figure which shows an example of the vehicle carrying the vehicle air conditioner concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the detailed structure of the vehicle air conditioner concerning embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by an air conditioner ECU when pre-air conditioning is instructed in the vehicle air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 Vehicle Air Conditioner 11 Air Conditioner ECU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Seat air conditioner 13 Motor for each outlet 26 Infrared sensor 30 Internal temperature sensor 44 Air outlet 56 Steering 58 Vehicle seat

Claims (4)

An air conditioner capable of changing a temperature control target for preferential temperature control in the passenger compartment;
Detection means for detecting the temperature in the passenger compartment;
Surface temperature detecting means for detecting the surface temperature of the vehicle interior object;
Determining means for determining the temperature control object to be preferentially temperature controlled based on the detection results of the detecting means and the surface temperature detecting means;
Control means for controlling the air conditioner so as to preferentially control the temperature of the temperature control object determined by the determining means;
A vehicle air conditioner comprising   2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner includes a blowing direction changing unit that changes a blowing direction of a blowing port that blows out the conditioned air, and the temperature control target is changed by the blowing direction changing unit. Air conditioner.   The said air-conditioner has a seat air-conditioner which air-conditions a vehicle seat, The said temperature control object is changed by the presence or absence of operation | movement of the said seat air-conditioner, The object for vehicles of Claim 1 or 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Air conditioner.   The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the surface temperature detecting means is an infrared sensor.

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