JP2000301928A - Air conditioner for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To defrost ice deposited on a front glass before an occupant gets in. SOLUTION: When an outside air temperature Tam is a prescribed temperature To or less in the case of pre-air-conditioning carried out during charge of a battery, a diffusion mode is brought into a DEF mode for a prescribed time τ a fan 7 is operated at the maximum air capacity, and a compressor 23 is operated at the maximum revolutional speed to provide the maximum heating condition. An air volume of the fan 7, the number of revolution of the compressor 23 and the diffusion mode are restored to a condition determined based on an original target diffusion temperature TAO, after the lapse of the prescribed time τ.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner for performing so-called pre-air conditioning, in which air conditioning is performed before an occupant gets on the vehicle, and is particularly suitable for use in an electric vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a vehicle air conditioner as described above,
For example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-212902, it is used for an electric vehicle, performs pre-air conditioning while charging a battery, and sets a blowing mode during the pre-air conditioning to a target blowing temperature TAO.
And the target blowing air volume VAO.

[0003]

In the above prior art, the blowing mode during pre-air conditioning in winter is usually B / L.
Mode, FOOT mode, or F / D mode. Here, if the outside air is very low, the windshield may be frozen before the start.

[0004] In this case, the occupant puts hot water on the windshield or sets the blowing mode to the DEF mode after getting on the vehicle to melt the ice on the windshield. However, in this case, the occupant cannot start until the ice is thawed, causing a problem that the occupant feels very troublesome.

Further, after the occupant gets on the vehicle, that is, after the charging of the battery is completed, the power of the battery is used for defrosting the windshield, and the power of the battery which can be used for heating the cabin while the vehicle is running is reduced. There is also a problem that it is reduced by minutes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to melt ice attached to a windshield before an occupant gets on the vehicle.

[0007]

To achieve the above object, the following technical means are used.

The invention according to claims 1 to 4 is used for a vehicle which can run using electric power of a power supply (38) mounted on the vehicle, and an air-conditioning case (2) which forms an air passage to a vehicle interior.
And a blowing means (7) for generating an air flow in the air-conditioning case (2); a heating heat exchanger (11) for heating the air blown by the blowing means (7); The foot opening (14) for blowing the conditioned air to the adjusted position, the defroster opening (16) for blowing the conditioned air toward the inner surface of the vehicle interior windshield, and the amount of air blown from the defroster opening (16) are adjusted. A vehicle air conditioner that includes a defroster air volume adjusting means (19), and performs air conditioning in the passenger compartment before an occupant gets on the vehicle using electric driving means (23, 24) electrically driven by a power supply (38); An outside air temperature detecting means (42) for detecting an outside air temperature is provided.
When the outside air temperature detected by the above becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, the amount of air blown out from the defroster opening (16) is increased by the defroster air volume adjusting means (19) for a predetermined time, and after the predetermined time elapses, the defroster opening ( 16) is controlled so as to return the amount of air blown out from the vehicle to the state of air conditioning inside the vehicle before the boarding.

According to the above technical means, when the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detecting means (42) falls below a predetermined temperature, the amount of air blown out from the defroster opening (16) is positively increased. This increases the amount of warm air that hits the windshield and allows the windshield to be thawed in advance before the occupant gets on the vehicle.

Further, after the predetermined time has elapsed, the amount of air blown out from the defroster opening (16) is returned to the state of air conditioning inside the vehicle before the boarding, so that immediately after the thawing of the windshield is completed, the air conditioning for the vehicle interior is immediately started. Returning, when the occupant gets on the vehicle, the passenger compartment temperature can be kept at a comfortable temperature for the occupant.

In particular, according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detecting means (42) becomes lower than a predetermined temperature, air is blown only from the defroster opening (16). Because of this feature, the wind is concentrated on the windshield and the time required for thawing can be reduced.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that when the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detecting means (42) becomes lower than a predetermined temperature, the blown air is set to the maximum heating state. This is more effective in shortening the time required for thawing the windshield.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner for a vehicle used in an electric vehicle, wherein the air conditioning in the vehicle compartment before the boarding is performed during charging of a power supply (38). Therefore, the charging power of the power supply (38) can be used for defrosting the windshield. Here, after the occupant gets on the vehicle, that is, while the electric vehicle is running, the power of the power supply (38) that can be used for the air conditioning operation is limited. ) Can be performed during charging, so that the power of the power supply (38) can be used efficiently for air conditioning inside the vehicle after boarding.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an air conditioner for an electric vehicle will be described below with reference to FIGS. Here, as is well known, the electric vehicle according to the present embodiment turns a key cylinder (not shown) using a key (not shown) so that an occupant can run the vehicle, and thereby a driving switch (not shown) is turned on. In this case, the electric power of the battery 38 (see FIG. 2) is supplied to a traveling motor (not shown) so that the vehicle can travel.

First, the configuration of an air conditioner for an electric vehicle according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the indoor unit 1 includes an air conditioning case 2 forming an air passage into a vehicle interior. The air upstream side of the air conditioning case 2 is provided with an inside air suction port 3, an outside air suction port 4, and an inside / outside air switching door 5 that opens and closes each of the suction ports. It is driven by a servo motor 6 (see FIG. 2) as driving means.

On the downstream side of the inside / outside air switching door 5,
A fan 7 is provided as blowing means for generating an air flow, and the fan 7 is driven by a blower motor 8 (see FIG. 2) as driving means. Further downstream, an indoor evaporator 10 forming a part of the refrigeration cycle 9 is provided. This indoor evaporator 10
During the heating mode described later, the refrigerant does not flow inside, and functions as an evaporator for cooling the air by the heat absorbing action of the refrigerant flowing inside the cooling mode described later.

On the downstream side of the air from the indoor evaporator 10,
An indoor condenser 11 forming a part of the refrigeration cycle 9 is provided. The indoor condenser 11 functions as a condenser that heats the air by the heat radiating action of the refrigerant flowing inside in the heating mode described later. In addition, a position adjacent to the indoor condenser 11 is
An air mix door 12 is provided for adjusting the amount of air passing through and the amount of air bypassing the air mix door.
(See FIG. 2).

At the downstream end of the air-conditioning case 2, a face opening 14 for blowing air toward the upper body of the passenger in the passenger compartment, a foot opening 15 for blowing air toward the feet of the passenger in the passenger compartment, and an inner surface of the windshield. A defroster opening 16 for blowing air toward the opening, and each of these openings 14 to
A face door 17, a foot door 18, and a defroster door 19 for opening and closing the door 16 are provided. Each of the doors 17 to 19 is provided with a servomotor 20 as a driving unit.
To 22 (see FIG. 2).

The refrigeration cycle 9 includes an indoor evaporator 10
A heat pump type refrigeration cycle that cools and heats the interior of the vehicle cabin with the indoor condenser 11 and these heat exchangers 1
0, 11, compressor 23, outdoor heat exchanger 2
4. The heating capillary tube 25, the cooling capillary tube 26, the accumulator 27, and the solenoid valves 28, 29, and 30 for switching the flow of the refrigerant are connected by refrigerant piping 31 respectively. In addition,
At a position adjacent to the outdoor heat exchanger 24, an outdoor fan 32 for flowing air to the outdoor heat exchanger 24 is provided. The outdoor fan 32 is driven by an outdoor fan motor 33 (see FIG. 2) as a driving means thereof. Being driven.

The compressor 23 includes an electric motor 34
When driven by (see FIG. 2), it sucks, compresses, and discharges the refrigerant. The electric motor 34 is disposed integrally with the compressor 23 in a sealed case, and the rotation speed continuously changes by being controlled by an inverter 35 (see FIG. 2). In addition, this inverter 35
It is controlled by the air conditioner ECU 36 (see FIG. 2).

The outdoor heat exchanger 24 functions as an evaporator in a heating mode described later, and functions as a condenser in a defrosting mode and a cooling mode described later. Further, the heating capillary tube 25 functions as a pressure reducing means in a heating mode described later, and the cooling capillary tube 26 functions as a pressure reducing means in a defrosting mode and a cooling mode described later. Further, the solenoid valves 28, 29, 30 are controlled by an air conditioner ECU 36 (see FIG. 2).

Next, the configuration of the control system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

Inside the air conditioner ECU 36, there are provided a well-known microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM and the like (not shown), an A / D conversion circuit, and the like.

When the air-conditioner ECU switch 37 is turned on by turning the key cylinder, the air-conditioner ECU 36 is supplied with electric power from the battery 38 via the battery ECU 39, and is turned on. The air conditioner ECU switch 37 is basically configured to be turned on / off by the occupant turning the key cylinder. However, when the pre-air-conditioning switch 40 is in the ON state, that is, the air conditioner ECU switch 37 described later is used. While the air-conditioning operation instruction is issued, the key cylinder is not turned off even if the key cylinder is turned.

The input terminals of the air conditioner ECU 36 include a battery ECU 39 for detecting a charge signal of the battery 38, an internal air temperature sensor 41 for detecting the temperature of the vehicle interior, an external air temperature sensor 42 for detecting the temperature of the external air, and a solar radiation emitted to the vehicle interior. A solar radiation sensor 43 for detecting the amount, an outdoor heat exchanger sensor 44 for detecting the outlet temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 24, and an air conditioning instruction member (for example, a temperature setting device or a pre-air conditioning switch 40) provided on the control panel 45. Each signal is input.

From the output terminals of the air conditioner ECU 36, the blower motor 8, the servo motors 6, 13 and the solenoid valve 2
8, 29, 30, outdoor fan motor 33, inverter 3
Control signals to the respective actuators such as 5 are output.

Next, control processing performed by the microcomputer will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the routine shown in FIG. 3 is started, first, the respective actuators are initialized in step S1, and then a signal input to the input terminal of the air conditioner ECU 36 is read in step S2.

In step S3, a target outlet temperature TAO to be blown into the vehicle compartment is calculated based on the following equation 1 stored in the ROM in advance.

[0031]

## EQU1 ## TAO = Kset × Tset−Kr × Tr−K
am × Tam−Ks × Ts + C (° C.) where Tset is the temperature setter provided on the control panel 45 and Tr is the internal air temperature sensor 41.
, Tam is the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 42, and Ts is the amount of solar radiation detected by the solar radiation sensor 43. Kset, Kr, Kam and Ks are gains, respectively, and C is a constant.

In step S4, a blower voltage to be applied to the blower motor 8 is determined from a map (not shown) based on the target blowout temperature TAO.

In step S5, as shown in the map of FIG. 4, the blowing mode is set to FA based on the target blowing temperature TAO.
One of the CE mode, the B / L mode, and the FOOT mode is determined.

In step S6, the suction mode is determined to be either the inside air mode or the outside air mode based on the target outlet temperature TAO from a map (not shown).

In step S7, as shown in the map of FIG. 5, the air-conditioning operation mode is determined to be one of the cooling mode, the blowing mode, and the heating mode based on the deviation between the target outlet temperature TAO and the suction temperature Tin. The above suction temperature T
in is calculated as Tin = Tr in the inside air mode and Tin = Tam in the outside air mode.

In step S8, the target rotation speed of the compressor 23 is determined, and the temperature of the air blown into the vehicle compartment is controlled.

In step S9, the blower motor 8, the servo motors 6, 13, 20 to 22, the solenoid valves 28 to 30, the outdoor fan motor 33, and the inverter are controlled so that the control states calculated or determined in steps S3 to S7 are obtained. 35
And outputs a control signal to each actuator.

In the cooling mode, control is performed such that the solenoid valve 28 opens and the solenoid valves 29 and 30 close. As a result, the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle 9 is
→ The indoor condenser 11 → the outdoor heat exchanger 24 → the cooling capillary tube 26 → the indoor evaporator 10 → the accumulator 27 → the compressor 23 flows in this order. Also,
The air mix door 12 is controlled to a position where the indoor condenser 11 is fully closed.

In the air blowing mode, the compressor 23 is stopped to stop the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle 9, and the suction air is blown out into the vehicle compartment as it is.

In the heating mode, the solenoid valve 28,
30 is closed and the solenoid valve 29 is opened. Thereby, the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle 9 flows in the order of the compressor 23 → the indoor condenser 11 → the heating capillary tube 25 → the outdoor heat exchanger 24 → the accumulator 27 → the compressor 23. Further, the air mixing door 12 is connected to the indoor condenser 1.
1 is controlled to a fully open position.

In this embodiment, when the traveling switch is turned off, the pre-air conditioning switch 40 is turned on.
In the state, the pre-air-conditioning operation is performed after a predetermined time.

This pre-air-conditioning operation is a main part of this embodiment, and will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6 is started when the battery ECU 39 detects a charge signal of the battery 38, that is, while the battery 38 is being charged.

When the routine of FIG. 6 is started, it is first determined in step S10 whether or not the pre-air conditioning switch 40 is ON. If YES is determined in this step S10, the routine in FIG. 3 is started in the next step S20, and the process proceeds to step S30. If NO is determined, the routine in FIG. 6 ends.

In the next step S30, it is determined whether or not the thawing end flag is ON. If the determination in step S30 is NO, the process proceeds to the next step S40, and if the determination is YES, the process returns to step S10.

In step S40, it is determined whether or not the air-conditioning operation mode is the heating mode.
If determined as ES, the process proceeds to the next step S50, and if determined as NO, the process returns to step S10.

In step S50, it is determined whether or not the outside air temperature Tam detected by the outside air temperature sensor 42 is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature To (To = 2 ° C. in the present embodiment). If YES is determined in this step S50, the next step S60
And returns to step S10 if NO is determined.

Here, as described above, the outside air temperature Tam is 2
At very low temperatures below ℃, the windshield may freeze and the occupant may not be able to start immediately.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the ice adhering to the windshield is thawed after step S60.

In step S60, it is determined that the windshield is frozen, and the blowing mode is set to the DEF mode. At this time, the blown air is set to the maximum heating state. Specifically, the fan 7 is operated at the maximum air volume and the compressor 23 is operated at the maximum rotation speed.

In the next step S70, the time T during which the DEF mode is performed in step S60 is counted up, and in the next step S80, it is determined whether or not this T has reached a predetermined time τ (in the present embodiment, τ). = 10 minutes), and when determined to be YES, the thaw ending flag is turned on in step S90.
And returns to step S10.

According to the above-described embodiment, when it is determined in step S50 that the outside air temperature Tam is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature To, the blowing mode is switched to the DEF mode for a predetermined time τ in steps S60 to S80. I do. This allows
Even if the outside temperature is very low and the windshield is frozen,
The wind can be positively blown on the windshield and the ice can be thawed before the occupant gets on the vehicle.

When a predetermined time τ elapses, step S
90, the process returns to the step S20 via the step S10,
Since the air volume of the fan 7, the number of revolutions of the compressor 23, and the blowing mode are returned to the state determined based on the original target blowing temperature TAO, the passenger compartment can be well heated before the occupant gets on the vehicle.

Also, the ice on the windshield is removed from the battery 3
Since the operation is performed during charging of the battery 8, it is not necessary to use the electric power of the battery 38 for defrosting the windshield after the occupant gets on the vehicle, that is, while the vehicle is running. Therefore, the electric power of the battery 38 can be used efficiently for heating the cabin during traveling of the vehicle.

(Other Embodiments) In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to an air conditioner for an electric vehicle has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention is applied to an engine vehicle running with an engine as a drive source. Vehicle air conditioners,
The present invention may be applied to a vehicle air conditioner used for a hybrid vehicle that travels using an engine and a traveling motor as drive sources.

In the above embodiment, step S60
Although the blowing mode is set to the DEF mode in the above, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the FOOT mode is set in step S20, the F / D mode may be set in step S60.
In short, the effect of the present invention can be achieved by increasing the amount of air blown out from the defroster opening 16 as compared with step S20.

In the above embodiment, step S60
In the above description, the blowout mode is set to the DEF mode, and the blown air is set to the maximum heating state (the fan 7 is operated at the maximum airflow and the compressor 23 is operated at the maximum rotation speed).
However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the blowing mode may be simply set to the DEF mode.

In the above embodiment, step S60
The blowing mode is set to the DEF mode in, for example, HW which removes fogging and freezing of the glass by applying a voltage to generate heat.
A de-icing auxiliary device such as S (heated windshield) is provided in the windshield, and when it is determined that the outside temperature Tam is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature To, the blowing mode is set to DE.
The mode may be set to the F mode, and the de-icing assist device may be operated.

In the above embodiment, step S10
When it is determined that the pre-air-conditioning switch 40 is OFF, the routine of FIG. 6 is terminated. For example, the occupant is detected (for example, by a detection signal from a seating sensor or a detection signal of a vehicle door opening). The routine of FIG. 6 may be terminated when the detection is performed.

In the above embodiment, the blow mode in the routine of FIG. 3 is set to the FACE mode, the B / L mode,
Although one of the FOOT modes is used, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, an F / D mode may be added.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an air conditioner for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control process performed by the microcomputer of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a map used for determining a blowing mode according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a map used for determining an air-conditioning operation mode according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing control processing at the time of pre-air conditioning of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 ... air-conditioning case, 7 ... fan (blowing means), 11 ... indoor condenser (heating heat exchanger), 16 ... defroster opening, 19 ... defroster door (defroster air volume control means), 23 ... compressor (electric drive means) ), 24: electric motor (electric drive means), 38: battery (power supply), 42: outside air temperature sensor (outside air temperature detection means),

Claims (4)

[Claims] An air-conditioning case (2) used in a vehicle that can run using electric power of a power supply (38) mounted on the vehicle, the air-conditioning case (2) forming an air passage to a vehicle interior, and an air-conditioning case (2). A blowing means (7) for generating an air flow; a heating heat exchanger (11) for heating the air blown by the blowing means (7); and a defroster opening for blowing conditioned air toward the inner surface of the vehicle interior windshield. (16), a defroster air volume adjusting means (19) for adjusting the air volume blown out from the defroster opening (16), and an electric drive means (23, 24) An air conditioner for a vehicle, which performs air conditioning inside the vehicle before the occupant gets on the vehicle, comprising an outside air temperature detecting means (42) for detecting an outside air temperature. Outside air temperature detection When the outside air temperature detected by (42) becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, the amount of air blown from the defroster opening (16) is increased by the defroster air volume adjusting means (19) for a predetermined time. An air conditioner for a vehicle, wherein an amount of air blown out from the defroster opening (16) is controlled so as to return to a state of air conditioning inside the vehicle before the boarding. 2. When the outside air temperature detected by said outside air temperature detecting means (42) falls below a predetermined temperature, air is blown only from said defroster opening (16). The air conditioner for a vehicle according to claim. 3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein when the outside air temperature detected by said outside air temperature detecting means (42) becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, the blown air is set to a maximum heating state. Air conditioner. 4. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, which is used for an electric vehicle, wherein the vehicle interior air conditioning before the boarding is performed during charging of the power supply (38). Characteristic vehicle air conditioner.