JP2000247131A - Vehicle air conditioning system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly perform the switching judgment of blowout mode to prevent the generation of an uncomfortable discharge air temperature by providing VENT and FOOT air blowout temperature estimating means, and selecting the blowout mode in reference to each blowout temperature estimated value of VENT and FOOT estimated by these means. SOLUTION: In air conditioning operation, an intended blowout temperature is calculated in a controller 22 for inputting the outputs of an interior temperature setter 23, an outside air temperature sensor 24, an interior temperature sensor 25, a water temperature sensor 27, a heater inlet air temperature sensor 29 and the like. The air quantity of a blower 7 is calculated from the target blowout temperature, and the heater passing air quantity in each blowout mode is estimated. The hot water heater outlet air temperature is successively estimated, and the opening of an air mix damper 13 is calculated on the basis of the estimated outlet air temperature, the target blowout temperature and the like. The blowout mode is selected so that the blowout temperature from a VENT outlet port 16 does not exceed a set temperature, and the blowout temperature from a FOOT outlet port 17 is not below a set temperature.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a technology for automatically controlling an air conditioner for a vehicle using an automatic air conditioner (hereinafter abbreviated as "auto air conditioner") for automatically controlling an air outlet. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, in an automatic air conditioner, the average temperature of each outlet (target outlet temperature) is not estimated without estimating the outlet temperature of each outlet (for example, VENT outlet, FOOT outlet).
Is calculated, and the heater adjustment amount is calculated and determined with reference to the target blowout temperature. Each blowing mode (for example, VEN
T blow mode, VENT / FOOT blow mode, FOO
T blow mode) is selected by referring to the target blow temperature.
Judgment and implementation. Also, regardless of the presence or absence of solar radiation, the determination of the blowing mode selection is not changed. Therefore, control for switching the blowing mode is performed, for example, as shown in FIG.

[0003]

However, in the conventional automatic air conditioner described above, the switching of the blowing mode is determined based on the target blowing temperature, but the actual blowing temperature may not always coincide with this. An unpleasant discharge temperature (for example, high-temperature VENT blowing, low-temperature FOOT blowing) may be generated.

[0004] For example, an occupant usually feels uncomfortable when a high-temperature (for example, 30 ° C or higher) airflow is felt near the upper body. Conversely, if a low-temperature (for example, 30 ° C. or lower) airflow is felt at the feet, it is uncomfortable. In the conventional method of selecting the outlet based on the target outlet temperature, the outlet is merely selected based on the approximate value (average value) of the outlet temperature, and each outlet temperature is not accurately grasped. Therefore, in the conventional method,
Depending on conditions, an unpleasant blowing temperature may be generated.

In the conventional method, the determination of the blowing mode selection is not changed irrespective of the presence or absence of solar radiation, so that the following problem may occur. That is, usually, the occupant
When there is solar radiation, the upper body feels a little heat. For example, the target blowing temperature becomes the same (for example, about 35 ° C.)
Conditions with sunlight at an outside air temperature of 2 to 3 ° C and an outside air temperature of 12 to
Considering the condition where there is no solar radiation at 3 ° C., the desired blowing mode is, under the former condition, VENT which eliminates the heat of the upper body due to the solar radiation by causing the upper body to feel a slight airflow below room temperature (about 25 ° C.). The FOOT blowing mode, in which the FOOT blowing mode gives a feeling of heating by causing a slight airflow higher than room temperature to be felt at the feet under the latter condition. However, in the conventional method, FOOT blowing,
Alternatively, since only one of FOOT and VENT blowing can be selected, the thermal comfort is impaired under any of the conditions.

An object of the present invention is to pay attention to the above-mentioned problems in the control of the conventional air conditioner, to make it possible to make a more optimal determination of the blowout mode switching, and to prevent the occurrence of an unpleasant discharge temperature. It is another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle air conditioner capable of always performing more comfortable air conditioning.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an air conditioner for a vehicle according to the present invention includes a blower for blowing air into a duct opened in a vehicle cabin, and a heating device for heating the blown air. Heating device, heating amount operation means for operating the heating amount of the heater, and VEN opening from the middle layer to the upper layer in the vehicle cabin.
VENT outlet, TFO outlet, FOOT outlet opening toward the foot of the occupant, and blocking / opening of each outlet,
An outlet selecting means for selecting each of the vent mode and the FOOT blowing mode and a FOOT blowing mode, and a heating amount adjusting means for calculating and outputting an adjustment amount signal to the heating amount operating means so that the vehicle interior temperature approaches a target value. In the air conditioner for a vehicle provided with: VENT and FOOT outlet air temperature estimating means, wherein the outlet selecting means refers to each of the VENT and FOOT outlet temperature estimated values estimated by the outlet air temperature estimating means, The blowout mode is selected.

This vehicle air conditioner has a heater inflow air estimating or detecting means for estimating or detecting the temperature of the air flowing into the heater.
It is preferable that the respective outlet air temperatures are estimated with reference to the heater inflow air temperature. A heater inflow air estimation or detection means for estimating or detecting the temperature of air flowing into the heater; and an opening / closing mechanism for adjusting the flow rate of air passing through the heater and the flow rate of air not passing as the heating amount operation means. And, as a heater, having a hot water heater having a heat source as a high-temperature liquid as a heat source, estimating a heater passing air temperature with reference to information on a blower blowing amount and an opening degree of an opening / closing mechanism, the heater passing air temperature estimated value and the It is preferable to estimate each of the outlet air temperatures with reference to the switch opening and the heater inflow air temperature.

[0009] In the vehicle air conditioner, the outlet selection means may be configured to prevent the outlet temperature from the VENT outlet from being equal to or higher than the first set temperature in all the modes. It is preferable to control so as to switch the blow mode so that the blow temperature from the FOOT blow port does not fall below the second set temperature.

Further, there is provided a solar radiation amount detecting means for detecting a solar radiation amount applied to the vehicle, wherein the outlet selecting means changes the first and second set temperatures in accordance with the solar radiation amount. It is preferable to control. Further, when the solar radiation amount detecting means is provided, the outlet selecting means may lower the first set value and / or increase the second set value when the solar radiation amount is large. Is preferably controlled.

In the vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention, VENT, F
The outlet air temperature of each outlet of the OOT is estimated, and selection of the outlet, that is, selection of the optimal outlet mode under the condition at that time is determined with reference to the estimated outlet air temperature. Therefore, generation of unpleasant discharge temperature, for example, generation of high-temperature VENT blowing and low-temperature FOOT blowing is prevented,
A comfortable auto air conditioner can be obtained at all times.

The estimation of the blown air temperature at each outlet is
By referring to the temperature of the air flowing into the heater, the amount of air passing through the heater, the amount of heating adjustment of the heater, and the like, more accurate estimation is possible.

[0013] In addition, a solar radiation amount detecting means is provided to change the set temperature for the switching control according to the detected solar radiation amount. It can be controlled within the range, and a more comfortable air-conditioning state can be realized.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a device system of a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
Is an example of control in the main controller of FIG.
Each is shown.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes the entire mechanical components of the vehicle air conditioner. At the inlet side of the ventilation duct 2, the air intake amount (introduction amount) from the inside air inlet 3 side is shown. An inside / outside air switching damper 5 for controlling a ratio with respect to an air intake amount (introduction amount) from the outside air introduction port 4 side is provided. The sucked air is sucked and pressure-fed inside the duct 2 by a blower 7 driven by a motor 6. The control of the motor 6 controls the amount of air blown by the blower 7.

An evaporator 8 as a cooler is provided downstream of the blower 7, and a hot water heater 9 as a heater is provided downstream thereof. The hot water heater 9 has
The engine cooling water 10, which is a high-temperature liquid serving as a heat source, is circulated to heat the sucked air.

A refrigerant circulating in a cooling circuit (cooler cycle) 11 is supplied to the evaporator 8. The refrigerant is compressed by, for example, a variable capacity compressor (not shown), condensed by a condenser (not shown), passes through a receiver tank (not shown), and the like, and then passes through an expansion valve 12 to an evaporator 8. And is sucked into the compressor from the evaporator 8.

An air mix damper 13 as a switch is provided immediately downstream of the hot water heater 9 and passes through the heater 9 by adjusting the opening degree of the air mix damper 13 operated by the switch actuator 14. The ratio of the amount of heated air to the amount of bypassed air can be controlled.

The temperature-controlled air is supplied to each of the outlets 15, 16,
17 (DEF outlet 15, VENT outlet 16 opening from the middle level to the upper level in the passenger compartment, FOOT outlet 17 opening toward the feet of the occupant), and is blown into the passenger compartment. Dampers 18, 19, and 20 as switches are provided at the outlets 15, 16, and 17, respectively. Each damper 18, 19, 20 is actuated by a switch actuator 21, whereby an outlet is selected. BI
-In the LEVEL mode, the VENT outlet and FO
An OT outlet is used.

The openings of the outlets 15, 16, 17 are automatically changed by automatic control, and the combination of the mode control of each outlet is performed, for example, as follows. VENT mode: A 100% air volume blows out from VENT. BI-LEVEL mode: 50% from VENT, FO
A 50% air volume blows out from the OT. FOOT mode: 70% from FOOT, 3 from DEF
0% air volume blows out. The voltage (rotation speed) of the motor 6 of the blower 7 and the switch actuators 14 and 21 are controlled based on a signal from a main controller (control device) 22.

The main controller 22 includes a target vehicle temperature set by a vehicle temperature setting device 23, a vehicle temperature detected by a vehicle temperature sensor 24, a vehicle temperature detected by a vehicle temperature sensor 25, and a solar radiation detecting means. The amount of solar radiation detected by the solar radiation sensor 26, the temperature of the engine cooling water detected by the water temperature sensor 27, the evaporator outlet air temperature sensor 2 provided at the outlet of the evaporator 8.
The temperature of the air flowing into the heater 9 and the temperature of the air flowing into the heater 9 detected by the heater inlet air temperature sensor 29 provided at the inlet of the hot water heater 9 are input.

In such a vehicle air conditioner 1, the control according to the present invention is performed, for example, as shown in FIG. As shown in the control block diagram of FIG. 2, the target vehicle interior temperature Ts set by the vehicle interior temperature setting device 23, the solar radiation amount RAD detected by the solar radiation sensor 26, the outside air temperature sensor 2
Ambient temperature AMB detected by sensor 4, vehicle interior temperature sensor 2
5, the target outlet temperature Toc is calculated based on the in-vehicle temperature Tr detected. Toc = Kp ₁ (Ts−Tr) + f (AMB, RAD,
Ts) Here, Kp ₁ is a predetermined proportionality constant.

From the target blowing temperature Toc, the air volume of the blower 7, that is, the motor voltage BLV of the blower 7 is calculated. BLV = f (Toc) The blower voltage controller is controlled based on this BLV.

From the BLV, the amount of air passing through the heater in each blowing mode is estimated. The calculation of the estimated air volume VOL is performed at the time of outside air introduction and at the time of inside air circulation based on the inside / outside air switching selection information at that time. When introducing outside air,
VOL = a ₁ · BLV · OP FOOT when controlled in VENT or BI-LEVEL mode, VOL = a ₂ · BLV · OP when controlled in DEF mode, VENT when inside air is introduced Alternatively, when controlled in BI-LEVEL mode, VOL = b ₁ · BLV · OP FOOT, FOOT / DEF, and when controlled in DEF mode, VOL = b ₂ · BLV · OP. Here, a ₁ , a ₂ , b ₁ , b
₂ is a predetermined constant, and OP is the opening degree of the switch (air mix damper 13) obtained by a calculation described later.

Heater passing air volume VO estimated by the above calculation
L, the hot water heater outlet air temperature TH is estimated based on the hot water heater inlet air temperature TW detected by the water temperature sensor 27 and the hot water heater inlet air temperature Tins detected by the heater inlet air temperature sensor 29. TH = (cd-VOL). (TW-Tins) + Ti
ns Here, c and d are predetermined constants.

This TH and the aforementioned target blowing temperature To
c, The opening degree OP of the switch (air mix damper) is calculated based on the hot water heater inlet air temperature Tins. OP = (Toc-Tins) / (TH-Tins)

Based on the calculation result, a target signal PT to the potentiometer corresponding to the opening in the switch actuator 14 is calculated. PT = f (OP) The action of the switch actuator 14 is controlled by the target potentiometer signal value.

The blow-out temperature from each blow-out port in each blow-out mode is estimated on the basis of the above-described switch opening degree calculation value OP, the above-mentioned hot water heater outlet air temperature estimated value TH, and the hot water heater inlet air temperature detection value Tins. You.

VENT outlet temperature T in VENT mode
_VV is estimated by _{T VV = f (OP, TH} , Tins), likewise VEN in BI-LEVEL mode
The T blow temperature T _bv is T _bv = f (OP, TH, Tins), and the FOOT blow temperature T in the BI-LEVEL mode
_bf is estimated as T _bf = f (OP, TH, Tins), and the FOOT outlet temperature T _ff in the FOOT mode is estimated as T _ff = f (OP, TH, Tins).

Based on the estimated blow-out temperature values of the respective modes, the blow-out mode to be controlled at that time is determined. The optimal blowing mode is, as described above, a mode in which no discomfort is felt, such as a high temperature VENT or a low temperature FOO.
The mode in which T can be avoided is selected. Based on this determination, the operation of the dampers 18, 19, 20 of each outlet is controlled by the switch actuator 21.

The conditions for switching the blowing mode are set, for example, as follows. Note that the first and second
Is changed, and when there is no solar radiation, T1a to T1b are set as the first set values and T2a to T2 are set as the second set values.
2b is applied, and when there is solar radiation, T1a ′ to T1b ′ are set as the first set values, and T2a ′ to T2 are set as the second set values.
Apply 2b '. <When there is no solar radiation> VENT mode → BI-LEVEL mode: When the estimated VENT outlet temperature in VENT mode reaches T1a BI-LEVEL mode → VENT mode: When the estimated VENT outlet temperature in VENT mode reaches T1b BI-LEVEL mode-> FOOT mode: When the estimated FOOT outlet temperature in the FOOT mode reaches T2b FOOT mode-> BI-LEVEL mode: When the estimated FOOT outlet temperature in the FOOT mode reaches T2a <When there is solar radiation> VENT mode → BI-LEVEL mode: When the estimated VENT outlet temperature in the VENT mode reaches T1a ′ BI-LEVEL mode → VENT mode: When the estimated VENT outlet temperature in the VENT mode reaches T1b ′ BI-LEVEL mode → FOOT mode: When the estimated FOOT outlet temperature in the FOOT mode reaches T2b 'FOOT mode → BI-LEVEL mode: When the estimated FOOT outlet temperature in the FOOT mode reaches T2a'

The first and second set values T1a ', T1b', T2a ', T2 are set in accordance with the amount of solar radiation.
It is also preferable to change b '. For example, when the amount of solar radiation is large, it is preferable to change the first set value to be low according to the size and to increase the second set value according to the size.

As a result of such automatic control based on the estimated blow-out temperature, control characteristics such as those shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are obtained. The characteristic shown by the thick line in the figure indicates the operation at the time of automatic control, and the mode is switched to the optimum mode according to the blowout temperature.

The first set temperature T1a in FIGS. 3 and 4 is set as an upper limit value of a comfortable VENT outlet temperature, and the second set temperature T2a is set as a lower limit value of a comfortable FOOT outlet temperature. In FIG. 3, T1a, T1b, and T2
By setting the relationship between a and T2b as T1a> T1b and T2a <T2b, unpleasant blowing temperatures (too high VENT blowing temperature, too low FOOT blowing temperature) are not generated in the absence of solar radiation. FIG. 4 shows the outlet control operation when there is solar radiation. However, the first setting is because the set temperatures T1a ′ and T1b ′ lower than T1a and T1b that are applied when there is no solar radiation are applied. , Lower V
An ENT blowing temperature can be generated. Further, the second setting is a setting temperature T2 higher than T2a and T2b.
Since a 'and T2b' are applied, the area operated by BI-LEVEL is increased, and the VENT blowing eliminates the heat of the upper body.

[0035]

As described above, according to the vehicle air conditioner of the present invention, VENT and FOOT outlet air temperatures are estimated, and each outlet is selected with reference to the estimated outlet air temperatures. As a result, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of an unpleasant blowing state such as the blowing of high-temperature air from the VENT outlet and the blowing of low-temperature air from the FOOT outlet. it can. Further, under the condition of irradiation with solar radiation, the operating ratio of the BI-LEVEL mode is increased, and airflow to the upper body is generated by VENT blowing, so that a feeling of comfort can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a device system diagram of a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of a main controller of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a characteristic diagram showing an example of the control of FIG. 2 (in the case where there is no solar radiation).

FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram showing another example of the control shown in FIG. 2 (when there is solar radiation).

FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing an example of control of a conventional vehicle air conditioner.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle air conditioner 2 Ventilation duct 3 Inside air introduction port 4 Outside air introduction port 5 Inside / outside air switching damper 6 Motor 7 Blower 8 Evaporator as a cooler 9 Hot water heater as a heater 10 Engine cooling water 11 Cooling circuit 12 Expansion valve 13 Air mix damper as switch 14 Switch actuator 15 DEF outlet 16 VENT outlet 17 FOOT outlet 18, 19, 20 Damper 21 Switch actuator 22 Main controller 23 In-vehicle temperature setting device 24 Outside air temperature sensor 25 In-vehicle temperature sensor 26 Solar radiation sensor 27 Water temperature sensor 28 Evaporator outlet air temperature sensor 29 Heater inlet air temperature sensor

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A blower that blows air into a duct that opens into a vehicle cabin, and a heater that heats the blown air.
Heating amount operation means for controlling the heating amount of the heater, a VENT outlet opening from the middle layer to the upper layer in the cabin, a FOOT outlet opening toward the feet of the occupant, and opening / closing of each outlet. , VENT blowing, VENT FOO
An outlet selecting means for selecting each of the T-side blowing mode and the FOOT blowing mode, and a heating amount adjusting means for calculating and outputting an adjustment amount signal to the heating amount operation means so that the vehicle interior temperature approaches a target value. Vehicle air conditioner, VENT
And a FOOT blow-out air temperature estimating means, wherein the blow-out port selecting means has a V estimated by the blow-out air temperature estimating means.
An air conditioner for a vehicle, wherein the air outlet mode is selected by referring to an outlet temperature estimation value of each of ENT and FOOT. 2. A heater inflow air estimation or detection means for estimating or detecting the temperature of air flowing into the heater,
With reference to the heating amount of the heater and the heater inflow air temperature, each of the outlet air temperatures is estimated,
The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1. 3. A heater inflow air estimation or detection means for estimating or detecting the temperature of the air flowing into the heater, and adjusting the flow rate of the air passing through the heater and the flow rate of the air not passing as the heating amount operation means. Opening / closing mechanism, and a hot water heater using a heat source as a high-temperature liquid as a heater, estimating the air temperature passing through the heater by referring to information on the blower air flow rate and the opening degree of the opening / closing mechanism, and estimating the air temperature passing through the heater. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein each of the outlet air temperatures is estimated with reference to a value, the switch opening degree, and a heater inflow air temperature. 4. The outlet selecting means is arranged to prevent the outlet temperature from the VENT outlet from becoming higher than a first set temperature in all cases in each of the modes, and to perform FOOT.
The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air outlet mode is switched so that the air outlet temperature from the air outlet does not fall below the second set temperature. 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a solar radiation amount detecting unit configured to detect an amount of solar radiation applied to the vehicle, wherein the outlet selection unit changes the first and second set temperatures according to the amount of solar radiation. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 4, characterized in that: 6. The air outlet selection means, when the amount of solar radiation is large, lowers the first set value and / or changes the second set value higher.
Vehicle air conditioner.