FR2802475A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING AN AIR SUPPLY - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for controlling an air supply to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising at least two buttons (110, 120, 130). Each key is adjacent to the other keys, is connected to a control unit (150), and is associated with at least one air passage in the vehicle. An actuation of a key is detected and operated by the control unit (150); by actuation of the keys, the control unit changes the air supply through the air passages (176, 177, 178), and by at least substantially simultaneous actuation of several keys, the air supply between the various keys actuated at least substantially simultaneously for the associated air passages (176, 177, 178), is distributed to have a distribution in substantially equal parts.

Description

STATE OF THE ART The invention relates to a method and a device

  for controlling a vehicle air supply, in particular

  ment of a motor vehicle comprising at least two

  neighboring ches. In motor vehicles, it is already known to control the supply of air outside the vehicle towards the inside by a control means with a slide or a rotary knob. For this, we associate a regulation drawer with

  different groups of air passages, for example a regulation

  drawer for ventilation of a windshield, for ventilation at the level of the feet or at the level of the driver and passenger. In addition, it is also possible

  to regulate with a regulating means with drawer, the distribution

  tion of air between the area at the head of the

  driver and the windshield and with another regulator drawer

  lation, the distribution between the area of the head and that of the feet. For this, each user must order several slide regulators. Under these conditions, an air supply comfortably adjusted with one drawer may be negatively modified by the adjustment of another drawer. It is also known to provide means for

  rotary regulation with which the distribution is distributed

  air consumption, mainly in the foot area,

  that of the head or that of the windshield. It is not possible

  ble to distribute the air supply, or only in

  very precise conditions, thanks to special attention

  driver's guide to adjust the ro-

tative.

  Advantages of the invention The object of the present invention is to remedy

  these drawbacks and for this purpose relates to a method of

  glage of the type defined above characterized in that

  the actuation of the keys is detected by a control unit

  requires to be operated, for actuation of one of the keys the control unit, increases the air supply by the air passages allocated to the key, and for at least one practically simultaneous actuation of several keys, each times the air supply is split between

  the air passages associated with the different action keys

  born at least substantially at the same time, in significant parts

  slightly equal. The method according to the invention has the advantage that the user of the vehicle will no longer have to carry out the distribution himself between the different groups of air passages.

  but that this distribution is ensured by a communication unit

  order. By simultaneously operating several keys

  which are associated each time with air passages, one can thus provide for the user, for example also a

  simple average between the different air passages which

  allow a regular entry of air into the passenger compartment of the vehicle without disturbing the driver or a passenger by a draft. This is particularly advantageous, because the user, for an adjustment with a sliding or rotary adjustment means, generally does not have a quantitative display but must himself feel and perceive how the distribution of the air is modified in the vehicle. Even distribution between the different air passages is possible under these conditions.

  without having a noticeable reaction from the driver.

  Advantageously, the method provides that:

  by pressing at least one key, the control unit

  command detects the current distribution of the air supply, * according to the keys pressed, the control unit calculates a future distribution of the air supply, * according to the difference between the current air supply and a future air supply, the modification steps are calculated for the air passages, and * the modification steps are executed to reach the calculated future distribution of the air supply or

  until the keys are no longer pressed.

  It is particularly advantageous that the unit of

  command calculates according to the keys pressed, a re-

  future partition of the air supply and influence first of all in separate stages, the air passages for

  future distribution. If under these conditions, a modification

  tion carried out by the driver may disturb by a draft, it can be stopped simply by releasing

the key.

  According to another advantageous characteristic, by two actuations which follow each other within a predetermined time interval of the keys, the control unit reduces the air supply through the associated air passages

to the keys.

  Cutting the air supply in half

  successive actuations, short of a key, allows

  take advantage of the benefits used to increase nutrition

  also in air for reduction, for example for reduction

  simultaneous duction of the air supply at the

head and feet.

  It is also advantageous to provide a touch

  special for switching between operation with

  air circulation and operation with fresh air intake.

  Switching allows for example to switch in a road tunnel or in case of traffic jam, with ambient air

  polluted, in an air recycling mode in which only-

  the air inside the vehicle is recycled without any

  polluted air from outside is sucked into the vehicle.

  According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the method is characterized in that: * by actuation of a first key, one switches to an air supply of a foot area, * by actuation of a second button, you switch to the air supply at head level, and * by pressing a third button, you switch to

  the air supply to the windshield.

  It is also advantageous to inform the driver

  by an audible signal, by pressing a button,

  of an acoustic reaction. We can also have a reaction

  optical tion by display in an information system

  of the driver and / or by the illumination of the keys.

  The invention also relates to a device for controlling an air supply to a vehicle, in particular to a motor vehicle, characterized in that: * it comprises at least two keys, each key being installed adjacent to the other keys , the keys being connected to a control unit, each key

  being associated with at least one air passage in the vehicle

  cule, a key actuation being detected and ex-

  operated by the control unit, and * by pressing the keys, the air supply via the air passages is modified by the control unit, and * by at least substantially simultaneous actuation of

  several buttons, the air supply between the different

  rentes keys actuated at least substantially simultaneously for the associated air passages, is distributed

  to have a distribution in substantially equal parts.

  According to an advantageous embodiment, such a device is characterized by at least three keys, a key being provided in the center between the other keys and at the

  in the vicinity of the other keys, with operation of the keys

  air distribution control as described above.

  It is therefore particularly advantageous to pre-

  see an air supply control device in

  the vehicle in which the keys are next to each other and allows

  in this way try to operate two or more keys simultaneously, preferably with a finger, to have a

fast, clear and simple ordering.

  It is also advantageous to provide in a

  central position between the different keys of the

  control, for the distribution of outside air, a touch

  to switch to the operating mode in re-

  circulation. It is particularly advantageous in these con-

  ditions, for example at the exit of a road tunnel or traffic jam, when the vehicle is in recycling mode, than by pressing all the keys,

  on the one hand we switch simultaneously to the operating mode-

  nement with fresh air and on the other hand there is a regular distribution of the air supply by all the air passages. The device can be made so that at least the air supply to the foot area, the air supply to the head area and that at the windshield

  correspond to an independent touch.

  In addition, it is advantageous to distribute the

  ches in a circular keyboard to simplify in a way

  very particular the simultaneous actuation of all

  ches. Drawings The present invention will be described below from

  in more detail using exemplary embodiments

  shown schematically in the accompanying drawings in the-

  which: * the figure shows a first embodiment of two keys according to the invention, * the figure lb shows a second embodiment with three keys according to the invention, * figure 2a shows a third embodiment with three keys according to the invention, * Figure 2b shows a fourth embodiment with four keys according to the invention, * Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a first method according to the invention for controlling the supply of air, * Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of a method for controlling the air supply according to the invention, * Figure 5 shows a third example of a method according to the invention for controlling the air air supply, * Figure 6 shows a device according to the invention for

  control of the air supply of a vehicle.

  Description of the exemplary embodiments

  Figure 1 shows a first touch 1 already

  cente to a second key 2. The keys are separated by

  an interval 3. The first key 1 carries a first sym-

  bole 4 indicating the air supply towards the

  driver and passenger. The second key has a second symbol 5 indicating the air supply to the vehicle windshield. The first key 1 and the second key 2 each have the shape of a circular semi-disc separated by a

  interval 3 so that the circular outer edge of the first

  first key 1 and that of the second key 2 correspond substantially to a circle. When the user activates the

  first key 1, all air supply for ventilation

  the vehicle is connected to the driver and / or the passenger

  ger. When the user presses the second key 2,

  all air is supplied to the screen

  vehicle breeze. When the first button 1 and the second button 2 are pressed simultaneously, the air is divided in half towards the driver and his passenger and

  windshield direction. A large number of air nozzles can

  wind equip the vehicle to be directed to the conduc-

  tor and / or the passenger and towards the windshield.

  The first key 1 and the second key 2 are

  preferably keys that are pressed and that are rapped-

  lées in the rest position by a return spring. All

  They are preferably made of plastic. According to a

  example of preferred embodiment, the keys are equal

  of a light source for lighting from behind, from the side opposite that of the observer, to illuminate the symbols carried by the keys. One can also have an embodiment of the keys in the form of keys in the form of films or of keys for which the approximation of a

  user's finger, without contact, is detected electric-

  is lying. Next to the half-disc shape of the

  first key 1 and second key 2, you can also

  ment have keys with rounded corners or a polygonal shape. FIG. 1b shows a first key 10 with a first symbol 4 and a second key 20 with a second symbol 5. In this figure and in the following, the same references will be used to designate the same elements. The first key 10 is distinguished from the first key 1 by

  a semi-circular cut forming half of a

  circular section 6 located between the first touch 10 and the

  second key 20. Cut-out 6 follows interval 3.

  The second key 20 is in the form of a circular half-crown and is adjacent to the cutout 6. The cutout 6 has to a very large extent a circle shape and receives in its middle a third key 30. A third symbol 7 is provided on the third button 30 which diagrams the recirculation of air. The

  first key 10 and second key 20 have the same function

  tion as the first key 1 and the second key 2 of Figure la. Thanks to the central layout of the third

  key 30 which allows switching between recirculation mode

  tion and that of the outside air intake, the first button 10, the second button 20 and the

  third key 30, simultaneously; so for example when

  that we switch fresh air with the same pressure on the buttons, we will also have a regular distribution of

  the air supply to the driver and the passenger

and towards the windshield.

  Figure 2a shows another example of realization

  tion of a key distribution. The keys form sensi-

  an area in circular disc with a first key 11, a second key 12 and a third key 13 corresponding each time to a sector of circular disc

  The keys are delimited from each other by an inter-

  valle 14. The first button 11 carries a first symbol 15 schematizing the driver and a second symbol 16 indicating the direction of arrival of the air at the area of the driver's head. The second button 12 also carries the first symbol 15 and a second symbol 17 diagramming the air supply at the driver's feet. The

  third key 13 carries the symbol 18 which indicates an ali-

  air in the direction of the vehicle windshield. In FIG. 2a, the function of the keys is extended relative to that of FIG. La in that the function of the first key 1, namely the air intake in the direction of the driver and the passenger, is distributed between the first key 11 and the second key 12. In these conditions, the user can also choose between an air supply in the direction of the driver's head area and the area of the

  feet. A distribution of the air supply is made before

  tagging by simultaneously pressing the first key 11 and the second key 12. The arrangement in the form of a circular disk sector of the keys nevertheless makes it possible to simultaneously press the first key 11, the second

  key 12 and the third key 13, which allows without diff-

  difficulty in distributing the air supply regularly.

  In FIG. 2b, a first tou is shown.

  che 110, a second key 120 and a third key 130 in the form of segments of a crown of a circle, separated by intervals 14. The three keys together form a circular ring surrounding a fourth key 300 provided in the free zone 140. The third key 300 carries the third symbol 7 which, as in the representation of FIG. 1b for the third key 30, indicates that the fourth key 300 is used for switching between recycling and input

  fresh air. The first key 110 corresponds by its function

  tion to the first key 11 in FIG. 2a and carries the first

  mier symbol 15 as well as the second symbol 16. The second key 120 corresponds by its function to the second key 12

  with the first symbol 15 and the second symbol 17. The third

  sth key 130 corresponds to the third key 13 of the

  Figure 2a; it has the symbol 18. The distribution of all

  ches according to Figure 2a is extended to Figure 2b by the

  fourth key 300. As already described in FIG.

  gure lb, this makes it easy, by pressing all the keys, to simultaneously switch both from recirculation mode to fresh air supply mode and to distribute the air supply regularly between all the passages d 'air. A corner 19 of the first key 110 a

  been highlighted. The corners can also be rounded

  say to increase the free space 140 and thus facilitate the control of a single key without complicating the simultaneous actuation of all the keys. The layout of the keys

  , 120, 130, 300 according to FIG. 2b globally feels

  only a circular structure which, in the preferred embodiment, corresponds to a diameter included

between 2.5 cm and 5 cm.

  Figure 3 shows a first example of realization

  tion according to the invention for controlling the air supply.

  The method according to the invention will be described using a device

  key position as described using the fi-

  gure 2b. The course of the process is memorized in a non-volatile manner preferably in a control unit of a

  motor vehicle preferably in a semi-component

  driver. From a start state 100, that is to say from a program start, at regular intervals, there is a keyboard interrogation 111; the interval preferably corresponds to 50 ms. If in a keyboard query 111, it is found that no key has been pressed, one returns to the starting state 100. If one detects the actuation of at

  minus a key, we pass to a first step of inter-

  rogation 112. In the first interrogation step 112, it is checked whether the fourth key 300 has been pressed. If so, if the fourth key 300 has been pressed,

  goes to the first switching step 113. In this first

  first switching step 113, the operating mode is switched

  fresh air supply in the recycling air supply if the ventilation is in supply mode

  in fresh air. If during an operating mode with re-

  traffic, we detect the depression of the fourth key

  300, we switch to fresh air supply mode.

  The expression recirculation means that the air inside the vehicle is sucked in, filtered, heated and / or cooled.

  to supply the passenger compartment again.

  In fresh air supply mode,

  outside, air through the vehicle's suction nozzles.

  After the first switching step 113, we go to the

  this interrogation stage 114. The second stage of interrogation

  rogation 114 is reached if in the first interrogation step 112 it is found that the third key 300 has not been pressed. In the second interrogation step

  114, we are looking for that of the first, second or third

  ches 110, 120, 130 which has been pressed. In a cal-

  cul 115, the air supply ratio is thus calculated. If one of the keys 110, 120, 130 has been pressed alone, the entire air supply is grouped together with the air passage associated with the key. If for example the first key 110 and the third key 130 have been pressed simultaneously, this is detected by the control unit in the

  third interrogation step 114, so that the power supply

  The air intake is divided between the driver and passenger head and the windshield in equal parts. This is done in

  a calculation step 115 following the switching step

  tion 116, in that the air flaps fitted to the vehicle

  are actuated by a motor of the control unit to

  put a regular supply of air at the level of the screen

  breeze and head of the driver. After the switching stage

  tion 116, it returns to the initial state 100. Instead of acting on the air flaps of the vehicle, it is also possible

  influence the air supply flow to the different

  air inlet zones such as ventilators

  torers or blowers associated with the driver's windshield, head area and feet area, for example by a

  supply voltage regulation.

  Figure 4 shows another example of a process

  according to the invention for controlling an air supply.

  The starting state 100 and the interrogation of the keyboard 111 cor-

  correspond to the elements of the method already described with respect to FIG. 3. The step of interrogating the keyboard 111 continues

  if a button is detected detected by the inter-

  rogation 111 by a decision stage 117; this deter-

  mine if within a given time interval a key has been pressed twice. This predetermined time interval corresponds for example to a zone between 0.1 s and 0.5 s. If not, we go to the first interrogation step 112 which has already been described in FIG. 3. A

  From this first interrogation step 112, the process

  dice shown in Figure 4 continues as the process re-

  presented in figure 4 until reaching the state of

  start 100. If in decision step 117, we all notice

  However, a key has been pressed twice, you go to Il

  a calculation step 118 which determines the key which has been pressed

  twice within the given period. In the control step 119, the air supply is then closed to the air passages associated with the keys which have been pressed twice. Then we come back to the state

starting 100.

  FIG. 5 shows another method according to the invention.

  vention to order an air supply; according to this method, the starting state 100 and the keyboard query 111 correspond to the steps of the method described with the aid of FIG. 3. The keyboard query 111 continues with a measurement step 121 if the query 111 did not find any key operations. In the measurement step 121, the current setting of the air recirculation flaps and / or the fans of the sensors is provided to apply them to the control unit. In the following first calculation step 122, the control unit calculates a future distribution of the air supply. If for example the first key

  and the second key 120 were pressed simultaneously-

  There is no air supply to the windshield and half of the supply is in the foot area and the other half in the driver and passenger head area. In a second calculation step 123 following the first calculation step 122, the difference is determined

  between the actual state of the air distribution and the future state.

  If for example in the measurement step 121, it is noted that all the air supply arrives on the windshield and that there is no supply towards the area of the feet or the head, it is necessary to fully open the air supply to the feet or head and completely close the air supply

air from the windshield area.

  In the second calculation step 123, the switching step necessary for controlling the shutters of the component is broken down.

  corresponding ventilation and / or fans over

  several partial stages preferably in at least ten partial stages. In a first input step 124 which follows the second calculation step 123, it is determined whether the keys have been pressed. If this is not the case, without any modification of the setting, we go to the starting state 120. On the contrary if in the input step 124, we see that the keys are always pressed, we go to a step execution 125. In the execution step, a first partial step of controlling the ventilation flaps or fans is calculated, calculated in the second calculation step 123. Then, we return to the input step 124. In

  the second input step, it is checked whether the destination state

  tion is reached and the keys have been pressed by a user. If the keys have not been pressed any more or if

  the destination state is reached, we return to the state of

  part 120. If not, we go by derivation to the output step 125 in which we execute a partial step

  next for controlling the air shutters and / or fans

  teurs. This stops the adjustment of the ventilation flaps.

  lation and / or fans on a setting calculated at

  by the user, by stopping prematurely, sim-

  in that you stop pressing the keys.

  The processes described in Figures 3 to 5 are trans-

  pose without difficulty the keys described in Figures la, lb, 2a. In addition, it is also possible to provide other keys actuated simultaneously, to achieve an even finer distribution of the air supply of

the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

  FIG. 6 shows a device for implementing a method according to the invention. A control unit

  is connected to the keys described in figure 2b. A pre-

  first line 151, preferably bipolar, is connected to the first

  first key 110. The second key 120 is connected by a second line 152; the third key 130 is connected by a third line 154 and the fourth key 300 is connected

  by a fourth line 153 to the control unit 150.

  The control unit 150 is connected to a loudspeaker 155

  creating an acoustic signal if the control unit 150 has

  tect the actuation of a key. In another example of

  the control unit is provided behind the keys

  ches 110, 120, 130, 140 in the lighting devices not shown in the drawing for the different keys 110,, 130, 140 which light up when a key is pressed

  and allow the driver to have an optical reaction.

  The control unit is also connected to a display of

* control 200 preferably provided in the display of a system

  Driver information tem 201 preferably at the center console of the vehicle and which also indicates

  the driver pressing a button. The communication unit

  command 150 includes at least one computer installation 170 preferably a microprocessor and the memory installation

  171 preferably includes a semiconductor element.

  The control unit 150 is connected to the control devices for the ventilation flaps 156, 157, 158, 159. The devices

  order positives are preferably invisible to the vehicle user and / or provided behind the module

the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

  The ventilation shutter controls

  lation are shown schematically in the figure. A pre-

  mier ventilation flap 156 is connected by a first

  data link 161 also bipolar to the control unit

  150. Depending on the position of the first ventilation flap

  tion 156, air is sucked in either from the first suction nozzle 172 or by a second suction nozzle through the lines 174. The first suction nozzle 172 exits the vehicle to suck in air fresh air from outside for vehicle. The second suction nozzle

  173 is in the passenger compartment to suck in air from it

  this. Line 174 exits from the first ventilation flap 156 to a fan 175. The fan drive 175 produces the suction of air through the first ventilation flap 156 either from the first suction nozzle 172, or of the second suction nozzle 173. Continuing the line 174, we arrive at the second ventilation flap 157, the third ventilation flap 158 and the fourth ventilation flap 159. The second ventilation flap 157 is

  controlled by a second data link 162; the third

  seventh ventilation flap 158 is controlled by a third data link 163 and the fourth ventilation flap

  159 is controlled by a fourth data link 164.

  Following the opening of the second ventilation flap 157, the air arrives at the first nozzles 176 which let the air out towards the windshield of the vehicle. Depending on the position of the third ventilation flap 158, the air arrives at the second nozzles 177 which let the air out towards the head zone of the

  driver and / or passenger. Depending on the position of the

  third ventilation flap 159, the air arrives at the third nozzles 178 allowing air to exit into the area of the driver and / or passenger's feet. Other fans may

  be provided in line 174 which arrives at least partly

  tie in the cabin module of the vehicle to accentuate the

  extract air through the nozzles. Fan 175 is com-

  preferably via a fifth transmission line

  165 from the control unit 150.

  The control unit 150 is also used to control

  der of an air conditioning system and / or a vehicle heating system acting on the air passing through the tubular duct 174. The components of the air conditioning system and / or the heating device are not

shown in Figure 6.

  Figure 7 shows the control panel 180

  of a vehicle with the windshield 181 and the steering wheel 182. At the level

  center console calf 183, as shown in figure 2b or

  gure 6, we have a keyboard 184, circular. The first nozzles 176 are provided on the surface 185 of the dashboard 180. The

  front surface of the dashboard 180 facing towards the

  driver or passenger has the second nozzles 177. The

  third nozzles 178 are located at the feet of the

  conductor 186 or those of passenger 187.

Claims (11)

R E V E N D I C A T IONS   1) Method for controlling an air supply to a vehicle   cule, in particular of a motor vehicle, comprising at least two adjacent keys, characterized in that   the actuation of the keys is detected by a control unit   required to be operated, for one actuation of one of the keys, the control unit increases the air supply by the air passages allocated to the key, and for at least one practically simultaneous actuation of several keys, each times the air supply is split between   the air passages associated with the different action keys   born at least substantially at the same time, in significant parts slightly equal.   2) Method according to claim 1, characterized in that   * by pressing at least one key, the control unit   command detects the current distribution of the air supply, * according to the keys pressed, the control unit calculates a future distribution of the air supply, * according to the difference between the current air supply and a future air supply, the modification steps are calculated for the air passages, and * the modification steps are executed to reach the calculated future distribution of the air supply,   or until the keys are no longer pressed.   3) Method according to one of claims 1 or 2,   characterized in that by two actuations which follow one another within a predetermined time interval of the keys, the control unit reduces the supply of air through the associated air passages to the keys.   4) Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,   characterized in that one switches between a recirculation mode and a fresh air supply mode by actuation of a certain key.   5) Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,   characterized in that * by pressing a first button, you switch to an air supply for a foot area, * by pressing a second button, you switch to the air supply at the level of the head, and * by pressing a third key, you switch to   the air supply to the windshield.   6) Process according to any one of the preceding claims.   teeth, characterized in that during or after the actuation of a key, it emits an audible signal and / or the display of the actuation of a key.   7) Device for controlling an air supply to a vehicle   hicle in particular of a motor vehicle characterized in that * it comprises at least two keys (1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13,   20, 110, 120, 130), each key being installed in the same way   next to the other keys, the keys being re-   linked to a control unit (150), each button (1, 2,, 11, 12, 13, 20, 110, 120, 130) being associated with at least one air passage in the vehicle, an actuation   of a key being detected and operated by the control unit   control (150), and * by actuation of the keys, the air supply by the air passages (176, 177, 178) is modified by the control unit, and * by actuation at least substantially simultaneously of   several buttons, the air supply between the different   key rents actuated at least substantially so   simultaneous for the air passages (176, 177, 178) associated   ciés, is distributed to have a distribution in parts substantially equal.   8) Device for controlling an air supply to a vehicle   vehicle, in particular of a motor vehicle, characterized by * at least three keys (10, 20, 30, 110, 120, 130, 300),   a key (30, 300) being provided in the center between the au-   very keys (10, 20, 110, 120, 130) and in the vicinity of the other keys (10, 20, 110, 120, 130), * the keys being connected to the control unit (150), each key being associated at least one air passage (172, 173, 176, 177, 178) of the vehicle, and an actuation   keys being detected and operated by the control unit   control (150), in which * by pressing the keys the control unit (150) changes the air supply through the air passages (172, 173, 176, 177, 178, and * for a substantially simultaneous actuation of several keys (10, 20, 30, 110, 120, 130, 300), each time the air supply is distributed between the passages   of air associated with the keys actuated substantially if   simultaneously, in substantially equal parts.   9) Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the key (30, 300) provided in the center between the other keys (10, 20, 110, 120, 130) and close to the other keys (10,, 110, 120, 130), is a button for switching between a recirculation mode and an operating mode with fresh air.    ) Device according to one of claims 8 and 9,   characterized in that at least the air supply to the foot area (186, 187), the air supply to the head area and that to the   level of the windshield (181) corresponds to an pending.   11) Device according to any one of claims 8   to 10, characterized in that the keys (1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 20, 30, 110, 120, 130,   300) are distributed in a circular keyboard.