DE102012021519B4 - Ventilation system for a motor vehicle and method for operating such - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for adjusting a ventilation of an interior of a motor vehicle, with the following steps: - Selecting an inflow area to be flown in the interior on a display and operating unit (7), wherein an air vent (2) to be adjusted is selected by actuating a first selection control element, wherein the Display and operating unit (7) provides a setting field (53) on a display (9) on which a core beam symbol (52) is displayed in a movable manner, with a core beam symbol (52) being tapped on a setting field (53) and this being dragged to a position is shifted which indicates a desired direction of the outflowing air flow for the previously selected air vent (2); and- activating at least one variably adjustable air vent (2) so that it directs an air flow onto the selected inflow area, wherein the selected air vent (2) is controlled in such a way that it directs the air flow according to the position of the core jet symbol (52) on the setting field ( 53) aligns.

Description

technical field

The invention relates to the field of ventilation for interior spaces in motor vehicles, in particular methods and devices for operating ventilation systems.

State of the art

Distributed air vents are provided in the interior of a motor vehicle for ventilation. These are usually connected to an adjustable fan to set the strength of the outflowing airflow. Furthermore, at least some of the air vents can be provided with adjustable slats in order to be able to vary the direction of the outflowing air flow in the vertical and horizontal direction. The adjustment is usually carried out manually by means of tabs arranged on the disk packs or via setting wheels arranged next to the disk packs.

Manual operation of the air vents has e.g. B. the disadvantage that an adjustment of an air vent arranged on the passenger side near the side window by the driver can only be adjusted with difficulty by the driver bending over to the passenger side. This is the case, for example, when the driver wants to align the air vent on the passenger side in the direction of the side window in order to defog the side window. Adjusting the air vent on the passenger side is therefore uncomfortable on the one hand and poses a safety risk on the other if it is done while driving.

Overall, the manual operation of the air vents means that the driver has to manually adjust each of the air vents individually in order to achieve a desired ventilation flow in the interior of the motor vehicle. The selected setting of the air vents often has to be corrected repeatedly, since the previously selected setting did not correctly hit the area in the interior of the motor vehicle that is to be flown against. These multiple manual settings of the air vents also distract the driver from what is happening on the road.

The direction of the air flowing out of an air vent can also be adjusted electromechanically via an operating element provided on a display and operating unit, as is known, for example, from the publications DE 10 2009 011 709 A1 and DE 10 2009 011 710 A1 is known.

Also from the publication DE 10 2010 018 105 A1 it is known to control the direction of the air flowing out of an air vent by an input on a touch-sensitive screen.

The pamphlet DE 103 44 701 A1 discloses a method for adjusting a motor vehicle air conditioning system with the following steps: 1. qualitative specification of the change to be achieved by a user, 2. selection of the body area in which the air conditioning system is to be set, and 3. changing the target values for the volume flow, the temperature and /or the outlet paths of conditioned air flows that can be generated by the motor vehicle air conditioning system, depending on the selected body area and the qualitative specification by the user.

The pamphlet DE 197 35 317 A1 discloses a display unit for a vehicle heating or air conditioning system, with an on-board monitor on which the selected temperature for individual zones defined with regard to a vehicle occupant can be displayed by different colors of an essentially bar-shaped symbol, with the different dimensions of the individual bar-shaped symbols representing the the air volume assigned to each zone is shown.

The pamphlet DE 10 2009 026 902 A1 discloses a multi-dimensional control for simultaneously controlling multiple device functions in a motor vehicle, the system comprising: a control panel with a user interface; and an input device selectable at a plurality of locations on the user interface, each location being associated with at least one feature setting of a plurality of first feature settings and at least one feature setting of a plurality of second feature settings; wherein the control panel outputs the first and second function settings simultaneously.

The pamphlet DE 10 2010 049 110 A1 discloses an air distribution device for a motor vehicle with at least one air outflow opening and with an air guiding element via which the air outflow direction of an air jet emerging from this air outflow opening can be changed, wherein the air guiding element can be moved in a periodically pivoting manner via drive elements, the air guiding element being designed as an inner component of the air distribution device.

The pamphlet DE 10 2008 034 167 A1 discloses an air conditioning unit for producing conditioned air, first and second ceiling vents, rear face vents, a first rear Foot outlet, a second rear foot outlet, a third rear foot outlet, first and second column outlets, and a rear side outlet.

The pamphlet DE 196 09 589 A1 discloses a control unit for a vehicle heating or air conditioning system with an on-board monitor that allows access to different display and operating menus, where, in addition to a choice for an automatic program, an individual setting option for the temperature distribution and/or air distribution in various zones of the vehicle that can be displayed and selected on the on-board monitor Vehicle interior is provided.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved possibility for adjusting ventilation for an interior of a motor vehicle, with the air flow being able to be preset in a more comfortable and targeted manner.

Disclosure of Invention

This object is achieved by the method for adjusting an air flow in an interior of a motor vehicle according to claim 1 and by the device and the ventilation system according to the independent claims.

Further advantageous developments of the present invention are specified in the dependent claims.

• - Auswählen eines anzuströmenden Anströmbereichs in dem Innenraum auf einer Anzeige- und Bedieneinheit, wobei ein einzustellender Luftausströmer durch ein Betätigen eines ersten Auswahlbedienelements angewählt wird, wobei die Anzeige- und Bedieneinheit auf einer Anzeige ein Einstellfeld bereitstellt, auf dem ein Kernstrahlsymbol verschiebbar dargestellt ist, wobei auf einem Einstellfeld ein Kernstrahlsymbol angetippt wird und dieses durch Ziehen an eine Position verschoben wird, die für den zuvor ausgewählten Luftausströmer eine gewünschte Richtung des ausströmenden Luftstroms angibt; und
• - Ansteuern mindestens eines variabel einstellbaren Luftausströmers, so dass dieser einen Luftstrom auf den ausgewählten Anströmbereich richtet, wobei der ausgewählte Luftausströmer so angesteuert wird, dass dieser den Luftstrom entsprechend der Position des Kernstrahlsymbols auf dem Einstellfeld ausrichtet.

According to a first aspect, a method for adjusting ventilation of an interior of a motor vehicle is provided. The procedure includes the following steps:

• - Selection of an inflow area in the interior to be flowed on on a display and operating unit, with an air vent to be set being selected by actuating a first selection control element, with the display and operating unit providing a setting field on a display on which a core jet symbol is shown to be movable, with a core jet symbol is tapped on a setting field and this is moved by dragging it to a position which indicates a desired direction of the outflowing air flow for the previously selected air vent; and
• - Activation of at least one variably adjustable air vent so that it directs an air flow onto the selected inflow area, with the selected air vent being activated in such a way that it aligns the air flow according to the position of the core jet symbol on the setting field.

One idea of the above method is that a user can set the direction of one or more airflows in an interior of a motor vehicle such that a specific predeterminable inflow area in the interior of the motor vehicle is flown against. For this purpose, one or more electrically adjustable air vents are controlled in such a way that the air streams flowing out of the air vents are aligned with the specified inflow area. The user can, for example via a corresponding operating unit, select from a number of predefined inflow areas, so that the user can easily specify a specific type of ventilation in the interior of the motor vehicle.

In addition, once the inflow area has been selected, the air vent can be adjusted simultaneously in the vertical and horizontal directions. The otherwise usual sequential adjustment in the horizontal and vertical directions is no longer necessary.

By selecting the inflow area on which the direction of the outflowing air flow is directed, instead of selecting only the direction of the outflowing airflow, repeated adjustment to achieve a desired flow situation in the interior of the motor vehicle can be largely avoided, since the part of the body or the inflow area that should be flowed against, can be specified exactly.

Furthermore, the display and operating unit can output an occupant figure with selectable body parts on a display, wherein after selecting one of the body parts the air vent is controlled in such a way that it directs the air flow to the selected body part. As a result, the user can adjust the cooling or heating effect for the corresponding parts of the body.

In particular, the body parts that can be selected can be distinguished from one another by their coloration, brightness or gray level. Furthermore, selection control elements can be provided which have corresponding colorations, brightness levels or shades of gray, so that the body part of the same coloration, brightness or shade of gray is selected by actuating one of the selection control elements.

Furthermore, when a first function selection control element is actuated on the display and control unit, at least one of the air vents can be controlled in such a way that the direction of the outflowing air flow is moved cyclically in the vertical and/or horizontal direction.

It can be provided that when a second function selection control element on the display and control unit is actuated, at least a first of the air vents is controlled in such a way that it flows against a side window of the motor vehicle, while a second of the air vents directs the air flow to the selected inflow area.

In particular, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after starting when the second function selection control element is actuated, the first air vent can be controlled in such a way that it also directs the air flow to the selected inflow area.

• - eine Anzeige und Bedieneinheit zum Auswählen eines anzuströmenden Anströmbereichs in dem Innenraum; und
• - eine Steuereinheit zum Ansteuern mindestens eines variabel einstellbaren Luftausströmers, so dass dieser einen Luftstrom auf den Anströmbereich richtet.

According to a further aspect, a device for adjusting ventilation of an interior of a motor vehicle is provided, comprising:

• - A display and operating unit for selecting an inflow area to be flown against in the interior; and
• - A control unit for controlling at least one variably adjustable air vent so that it directs an air flow onto the inflow area.

According to a further aspect, a ventilation system is provided, comprising one or more variably adjustable air vents and the above control unit.

character list

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Cockpits eines Kraftfahrzeugs mit mehreren Luftausströmern, die über eine Anzeige- und Bedieneinheit ansteuerbar sind;
• 2 eine Explosionsdarstellung eines elektromechanisch verstellbaren Luftausströmers;
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung eines Belüftungssystems für einen Innenraum eines Kraftfahrzeugs;
• 4 ein Flussdiagramm zur Veranschaulichung eines Verfahrens zum Einstellen einer Belüftung eines Innenraums eines Kraftfahrzeugs;
• 5 eine Darstellung einer Anzeige zur manuellen Einstellung der Richtung des ausströmenden Luftstroms für einen Luftausströmer;
• 6a und 6b Darstellungen von möglichen Anzeigen für die Anzeige- und Bedieneinheit zum Einstellen und Auswählen einer anzuströmenden Körperpartie; und
• 7 eine Darstellung einer Anzeige zur Auswahl einer situationsbedingten Einstellung.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

• 1 a schematic representation of a cockpit of a motor vehicle with multiple air vents that can be controlled via a display and control unit;
• 2 an exploded view of an electromechanically adjustable air vent;
• 3 a schematic representation of a ventilation system for an interior of a motor vehicle;
• 4 a flowchart to illustrate a method for adjusting ventilation of an interior of a motor vehicle;
• 5 an illustration of a display for manually setting the direction of the outflowing air flow for an air vent;
• 6a and 6b Representations of possible displays for the display and control unit for setting and selecting a part of the body to be flown; and
• 7 an illustration of a display for selecting a situational setting.

Description of Embodiments

1 shows a schematic representation of a region of an interior of a motor vehicle with a cockpit 1 in which air vents 2 are distributed. The air vents 2 are aligned in the direction of the interior of the motor vehicle and can be adjusted in such a way that the direction of the outflowing air flow can be adjusted both in the vertical and in the horizontal direction in swivel ranges.

In the interior of the motor vehicle, a driver's seat 4 and a front passenger seat 5 are provided, each of which is assigned two air vents 2 in the present exemplary embodiment. In particular, air vents 2 can be located on the left and right hand of the cockpit 1 with respect to the driver's seat 4 and front passenger's seat 5 .

A display and control unit 7 is provided, which is arranged, for example, in a center console 6, i.e. in the middle of the instrument panel of the cockpit 1. As described in more detail below, the outflow directions of the air vents 2 can be controlled via the display and operating unit 7 so that they flow against a specific inflow area in the interior of the motor vehicle. The display and control unit 7 can include a display 9, e.g. as a touch-sensitive screen (touchscreen) or a screen with control elements arranged on its edge.

In an alternative embodiment, the display and control unit 7 can be part of a mobile device, such as a tablet PC or a smartphone, which is connected to a corresponding permanently installed control unit via wireless technology. The mobile device then makes the functions of the display and control unit 7 explained below available.

2 shows an example of an exploded view of an air vent 2. A cylindrical housing 21 with a rectangular cross section can be seen, in which first horizontally aligned slats 22 and second vertically aligned slats 23 are pivotably arranged. The first slats 22 are mechanically coupled to one another, so that the first slats 22 are pivoted parallel to one another, ie the directions of the individual air flows caused by the first slats 22 are in the same direction. The second slats 22 are mecha analogous nically coupled to one another, so that the second slats 22 are pivoted parallel to one another, ie the directions of the individual air flows caused by the second slats 22 are rectified.

The first slats 22 are coupled to a first actuator 24 which can be controlled electrically in order to set a specific pivoting position of the first slats 22 . In the same way, a second actuator 25 is provided, which is mechanically coupled to the second slats 23 in order to fix them in their pivoting position according to an electrical control. Thus, by appropriately controlling the first and second actuators 24, 25, different flow directions of the outflowing air flow through the air vent 2 can be variably adjusted.

3 shows a schematic block diagram of a ventilation system 10 with the adjustable air vents 2, the display and operating unit 7 and a control unit 11. The control unit 11 has a signal connection to the air vents 2 and can use the actuators provided there, in particular the first and second actuators 24, 25 , to set the direction of the outflowing air flow. The targeted approach to the selected pivoting position of the first and second slats 22, 23 in the air vents 2 can be carried out either controlled by the control unit 11 or in a control device (not shown) provided in each of the air vents 2 in accordance with an actuating signal from the control unit 11.

The control unit 11 is also in communication with the display and operating unit 7 in order to receive input signals corresponding to user inputs and to display a display on the display and operating unit 7 . The control unit 11 can be equipped with hardware or software in order to adjust one or more of the air vents 2 depending on a specific input made by the user on the display and operating unit 7 .

The method carried out for this purpose by the control unit 11 is illustrated using the flowchart in FIG 4 illustrated.

In step S1 it is queried whether a ventilation setting should be made by a user. The user can do this in a suitable manner by actuating an operating element of the display and operating unit 7, for example by touching a correspondingly provided selection area on the touch-sensitive screen 9. If it is determined in step S1 that the user would like to carry out ventilation control (alternative: yes) , the method continues with step S2. Otherwise (alternative: no), the process jumps back to step S1.

In step S2, the user is asked by a corresponding display on the display and operating unit 7 whether he would like to set the air vents 2 manually, whether he would like to run a situation-dependent program or whether he would like to set the air vents 2 automatically so that a specific inflow area flows in the interior of the motor vehicle.

If the user selects a manual setting of the air vents 2 (alternative: manual) in step S2, the user is shown a display on the display and operating unit 7, as shown in FIG 5 is shown schematically (step S3). Referring to the display of 5 the user can select the air vent 2 to be set by actuating one of several first selection control elements 51 provided for selecting air vents, each of which is clearly assigned to one of the air vents 2 . The user can then tap a core jet symbol 52 on an adjustment field 53 (adjustment area) and move it by dragging the tapping finger to a position (represented by an arrow P) that indicates a desired direction of the outflowing air flow for the previously selected air vent 2. If, for example, the core jet symbol 52 is moved to the bottom left corner of the setting field 53, the air flow that flows out of the previously determined air vent 2 is directed to the bottom left from the user's point of view. In this way, the user can adjust each of the air vents 2 individually by actuating the corresponding selection control element 51 . By operating a back control (not shown), the user can jump back to step S1.

If the user indicates in step S2 that a certain inflow area should be flown against (alternative: inflow area), it is first determined in step S5, for example by a seat occupancy detection, whether only the driver's seat 4 is occupied by a driver or also the front passenger seat 5 by a driver passengers are occupied. If only the driver's seat 4 is occupied, in step S6 the display of 6a issued. If the passenger seat 5 is also occupied, in step S7 the display of 6b issued.

The display of 6a shows a representation of a person sitting on a seat as an occupant figure 62, whose body parts in different Colors or different shades of gray are shown. Next to the depicted occupant figure 62 there are a number of selection control elements 61 provided for selecting body parts, with the coloring, brightness or shades of gray corresponding to the body parts. By actuating one of the selection control elements 61, that part of the person's body can be selected which is shown in the same coloration, brightness or gray level as the selection control element 61 that was actuated. After the selection of the corresponding part of the body, the control unit 11 moves the air vents 2 assigned to the driver in step S8 in such a way that the corresponding selected part of the body is flown against.

Similarly, in the display displayed in step S7 6b , which represents two occupant figures 62 with corresponding selection control elements 61, the part of the body to be flown to for two occupants, the driver and the front passenger, can be selected by corresponding actuation of the assigned selection control elements 61. The air vents 2 assigned to the driver cause the part of the body to flow, the occupant figure 62 representing the driver has been selected, while the air vents 2 assigned to the front passenger are controlled in such a way that the body part selected for the front passenger is subjected to a flow. After making this setting in step S8, you can jump back to step S1.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that different individual swivel positions of the air vents 2 can be set. For example, in the ads of 6a and 6b corresponding further selection controls 61 are provided, for which the inflow positions are freely programmable. As a result, the driver or the front passenger can specify not only a part of the body to be flown against, but also a previously programmed inflow area for the flow of air emitted by the air vents 2 .

It is also possible to implement an automatic function in which an individual driver or passenger is recognized. If, for example, the occupancy of the driver's seat 4 by a specific driver is detected using an ignition key, a preferred inflow position of the driver previously stored for the driver in question can be set automatically.

If in step S2 the user wants a situation-dependent setting (alternative: situation), in step S9 the display of the 7 are shown, on which the user will find several function selection controls 71, 72.

For example, an anti-fog function for side windows can be set with a first function selection control element 71, which sets the outer air vents 2 in such a way that they direct an air flow onto the side windows of the motor vehicle. This function can include a timer that automatically terminates the anti-fogging function after a certain period of time has elapsed after it started and then aligns the air vents 2 in question according to the specified inflow position to the same inflow position that the inner air vent 2 in each case is in contact with or similar to match a setting selected before activating the anti-fog function.

Furthermore, by actuating the second function selection control element 72, a fan effect can be implemented, in which the direction of the air flow from each of the air vents 2 is moved cyclically, specifically in the vertical and/or horizontal direction. This can be achieved, for example, by moving one or both slat planes in an up and down or back and forth movement.

The fan effect can increase comfort for users who do not want to be continuously hit by an air flow on the same part of their body.

Claims (8)

Method for adjusting ventilation of an interior of a motor vehicle, having the following steps: - Selection of an inflow area to be flowed into in the interior on a display and operating unit (7), with an air vent (2) to be adjusted being selected by actuating a first selection control element, with the display and operating unit (7) on a display (9). provides an adjustment field (53) on which a core jet symbol (52) is shown to be movable, a core jet symbol (52) being tapped on an adjustment field (53) and being dragged to a position which is suitable for the previously selected air vent (2) indicates a desired direction of the outflow airflow; and - Activation of at least one variably adjustable air vent (2) so that it directs an air flow onto the selected inflow area, with the selected air vent (2) being activated in such a way that it directs the air flow according to the position of the core jet symbol (52) on the setting field (53 ) aligns. procedure after claim 1 , wherein the display and control unit (7) outputs an occupant figure (62) with selectable body parts on a display (9), wherein after selecting one of the body parts the air vent (2) is controlled in such a way that it directs the air flow to the selected body part . procedure after claim 2 , wherein the body parts that can be selected can be distinguished from one another by their contour, coloration, brightness and/or gray level and wherein selection control elements (61) are provided which have corresponding colorations, brightness levels or gray levels, so that by actuating one of the selection control elements (61) the body part of the same tint, brightness or grayscale is selected. Procedure according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , wherein when a first function selection control element (71) on the display and control unit (7) is actuated, at least one of the air vents (2) is controlled in such a way that the direction of the outflowing air flow is moved cyclically in the vertical and/or horizontal direction. Procedure according to one of Claims 1 until 4 , wherein when a second function selection control element (72) on the display and control unit (7) is actuated, at least a first of the air vents (2) is actuated in such a way that it flows against a side window of the motor vehicle, while a second of the air vents (2) opens the air flow the selected inflow area. procedure after claim 5 , wherein after a predetermined period of time after starting the motor vehicle when the second function selection control element (72) is actuated, the first air vent (2) is controlled in such a way that it also directs the air flow to the selected inflow area. Device for adjusting ventilation of an interior of a motor vehicle, comprising: - A display and operating unit (7) for selecting an inflow area to be flown in the interior and for selecting an air vent (2) to be adjusted by actuating a first selection operating element, the display and operating unit (7) having an adjustment field ( 53); 53) tapping a core beam icon (52) and dragging it to a position; and - a control unit (11) for controlling at least one variably adjustable air vent (2) so that it directs an air flow onto the inflow area, whereby it aligns the air flow according to the position of the core jet symbol (52) on the setting field (53). Ventilation system (10) comprising: - one or more variably adjustable air vents (2); and - the device after claim 7 .

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