JP2002192933A - Automotive air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automotive air conditioner that can prevent an overcooled cabin during travel of an automobile and a stuffy cabin shortly after a stop of the automobile, and maintain an appropriate air-conditioning characteristic over a relatively long time even after a stop of the traveling automobile. SOLUTION: Upon an automatic stop of an engine 24, the blowoff temperature of blast air is corrected to a value below a normal value Tao, and on the basis of the lower blowoff temperature, the swing position of an air mix damper 7 is adjusted. An increased quantity of air assigned to an evaporator 5 in a duct 2 can hold the temperature of air blown into a cabin from an air conditioner body substantially equal to that during travel over a given time after the engine stop, even when the drive of a compressor 19 is stopped to increase the temperature of the evaporator 5 gradually. It is unnecessary to cool the evaporator 5 during travel in anticipation of temperature increase after a stop, so that overcooling during travel is prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in an air conditioner for a vehicle, and more particularly to an improvement in air conditioning characteristics when an engine is stopped.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A vehicle air conditioner having an evaporator operated by a compressor driven by an engine is already known. Recently, there has been proposed an automobile having a function of automatically stopping an engine when predetermined conditions are satisfied in consideration of environmental pollution and the like due to carbon dioxide and nitrogen compounds contained in exhaust gas of the engine.

[0003] This function is to automatically stop the idling of the engine when the vehicle is stopped for more than a certain period of time, such as when waiting for a traffic light or stopping, thereby generating excessive exhaust gas. It is to try to prevent.

However, when such a configuration is applied, the operation of the compressor for operating the evaporator is automatically stopped by forcibly stopping the engine, so that the temperature of the evaporator is required at that time. Disadvantageously that the temperature cannot be maintained at a certain temperature.

[0005] In particular, when air conditioning is performed, the temperature of the evaporator rises while waiting for a traffic light or at a stop, despite the presence of a passenger in the vehicle, and the interior of the vehicle becomes harsh and the passenger becomes hot. There is a problem of giving a feeling of discomfort.

[0006]

A technique for solving such a problem is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-2000.
A vehicle air conditioner as disclosed in JP-16071A has been proposed.

This vehicle air conditioner monitors the running state of the vehicle and automatically estimates whether or not the vehicle stops.
Only when it is estimated that there is a high possibility that the vehicle will stop, the evaporator temperature is reduced beforehand by stopping the engine by resetting the target temperature of the evaporator to a value lower than the reference value. It is intended to compensate for the lack of cooling capacity of the evaporator.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-16071 discloses, as parameters that can be used for estimating whether or not a vehicle stops, a level of a traveling speed, on / off of a brake pedal, and the like.

However, when the road is congested, continuous low-speed running may be required. In such a case, the target temperature of the evaporator is set to a lower value based on the running speed. If this is done, the interior of the room will be cooled more than necessary, and the fuel efficiency of the vehicle will also decrease.

Further, when the target temperature of the evaporator is switched based on the on / off of the brake pedal, even if the target temperature of the evaporator is lowered at the time of the operation of turning on the brake pedal, that is, immediately before the stop of the vehicle, the target temperature is maintained until the vehicle stops. Since the required time is short, the evaporator is not sufficiently cooled, and the temperature of the evaporator rises in a short time while the vehicle is stopped, which causes a problem that the inside of the vehicle becomes hot.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art and to prevent the interior of a vehicle from being cooled more than necessary while the vehicle is running, or to make the interior of the vehicle hotter within a short time after the vehicle stops. An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner for a vehicle that can maintain appropriate air conditioning characteristics for a relatively long time even after the running of the vehicle is stopped.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an evaporator operated by a compressor driven by an engine, a heater core, and an intake destination of air used for air conditioning by driving an inside / outside air switching damper. Inside / outside air switching damper control means for switching between the inside and outside of the vehicle, an air mix damper for adjusting the temperature of the air to be distributed to the evaporator and the heater core and sent out to the room,
Environmental condition detecting means for detecting environmental conditions related to air-conditioning control, target temperature setting means for setting an indoor temperature serving as a target value of air-conditioning control, and environmental conditions and targets detected by the environmental condition detecting means Means for calculating the required temperature of the air to be sent from the air conditioner main body to the room based on the room temperature set by the temperature setting means; and air based on the required air temperature determined by the required temperature calculation means. Air mix damper position switching control means for adjusting the swing position of the mix damper; and air volume calculation for determining the air volume of air to be sent from the air conditioner main body based on the deviation between the target room temperature and the current room temperature. Means, motor drive control means for driving and controlling the motor of the blower fan based on the air volume calculated by the air volume calculation means, and required air temperature calculation means. The air outlet is switched between the air outlet in the foot mode, the air outlet in the bi-level mode, and the air outlet in the vent mode based on the magnitude relationship between the determined outlet temperature and the determination value serving as the switching reference. A vehicle air conditioner having a mode damper position switching control means and provided in a vehicle having a function of automatically stopping an engine when predetermined conditions are satisfied, in order to achieve the above object,
In particular, an air-conditioning state detection storage means for detecting and storing an on / off state of the vehicle air conditioner at the time of automatic stop of the engine, and an air conditioning on / off state stored in the air-conditioning state detection storage means after the engine is stopped An air-conditioning state determining means for determining a state, and a blow-off temperature obtained by the required blow-out temperature calculating means only when the air-conditioning state determining means determines that the on state is stored in the air-conditioning state storage means. And a necessary blowout temperature recalculating means for inputting a blowout temperature lower than the blowout temperature obtained by the necessary blowout temperature calculating means to the air mix damper position switching control means. .

According to such a configuration, when the vehicle air conditioner is operating at the time of stopping the engine, after the engine is stopped, the required blowing temperature recalculation means is automatically operated, and the required blowing temperature is calculated. The re-calculating means inputs the blow-off temperature lower than the blow-out temperature calculated by the necessary blow-out temperature calculating means to the air mix damper position switching control means. The air mix damper position switching control means controls the swing position of the air mix damper based on the blown air temperature set at a lower level, so that it is closer to the evaporator than in a normal case, that is, when the vehicle is running. Swing the air mix damper to a position where the amount of air to be distributed is large. Therefore, even when the operation of the compressor stops due to the stop of the engine and the temperature of the evaporator gradually increases, the temperature of the air sent from the air conditioner body into the room for a certain period of time after the stop of the engine travels. It can be maintained in a state substantially equivalent to the time. In addition, the required outlet temperature recalculation means operates only when the engine is stopped while the vehicle air conditioner is operating, so that the room is cooled more than necessary while the vehicle is running. The disadvantages of the prior art are completely eliminated. Also, instead of actively controlling the temperature itself of the evaporator, the temperature of the air sent into the room is adjusted by adjusting the amount of air distributed to the evaporator and the heater core. It is not necessary to cool down the evaporator for a while before stopping the car, and even if the car suddenly stops, the air conditioner main body is sent into the room for a certain period after the engine stops. The air temperature can be maintained in a comfortable state.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the same object as described above, a motor having a lower air flow rate than the air flow rate calculated by the air flow rate calculation means is used instead of the air flow rate calculated by the air flow rate calculation means. A configuration is provided in which airflow recalculation means for inputting to the drive control means is provided.

According to such a configuration, when the vehicle air conditioner is operating at the time of stopping the engine, the air flow rate re-calculating means automatically operates after the engine is stopped, and the air flow rate re-calculating means operates. Then, an air volume lower than the air volume calculated by the air volume calculation means is input to the motor drive control means. The motor drive control means controls the drive of the motor based on the air volume set lower, and drives the blower fan so that the air volume is smaller than in the normal case, that is, when the vehicle is running. . Therefore, in an environment where the operation of the compressor stops due to the stop of the engine and the temperature of the evaporator rises above a target value, the amount of air blown into the room is automatically limited, and The fluctuation of the temperature on the bodily sensation is reduced. Further, since the amount of air passing through the evaporator is also reduced due to the restriction of the air flow, it is possible to maintain the low temperature state of the evaporator for a relatively long time after the engine is stopped. In the same manner as described above, the disadvantages of the related art such that the interior of the vehicle is cooled more than necessary while the vehicle is running are resolved, and even if the vehicle suddenly stops, the air conditioning is continued for a certain time after the engine stops. The temperature of the air sent from the apparatus body into the room can be maintained in a comfortable state.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the same object as described above, the internal temperature detected by the environmental condition detecting means is compared with the external temperature, and when the external temperature is lower than the internal temperature. Outputs a signal for switching the inside / outside air switching damper to the outside air side to the inside / outside air switching damper control means, and when the inside air temperature is lower than the outside air temperature, the inside / outside air switching damper to the inside / outside air switching damper control means. An internal / external air switching damper forcible control means for outputting a signal for switching to the inside air is provided.

According to such a configuration, when the vehicle air conditioner is operating at the time of stopping the engine, after the engine is stopped, the inside / outside air switching damper compulsory control means is automatically operated, and the inside / outside air is controlled. The switching damper compulsory control means compares the inside temperature with the outside temperature, and outputs a signal for switching the inside / outside air switching damper to the outside air side to the inside / outside air switching damper control means when the outside temperature is lower than the inside temperature. On the other hand, when the inside air temperature is lower than the outside air temperature, a signal for switching the inside and outside air switching damper to the inside air side is output to the inside and outside air switching damper control means. Since the cooler air is taken in inside and outside the car, the temperature rise of the evaporator after the engine stops is effectively suppressed, and the evaporator keeps the low temperature state for a relatively long time after the engine stops. It is possible to do. In the same manner as described above, the disadvantages of the related art such that the interior of the vehicle is cooled more than necessary while the vehicle is running are resolved, and even if the vehicle suddenly stops, it will remain for a relatively long time after the engine stops. Thus, it is possible to maintain the temperature of the air sent from the air conditioner body into the room in a comfortable state.

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the same object as described above, it is determined whether the air conditioning is set to cooling or heating, and it is determined that the air conditioning is set to cooling. In this case, the mode damper position switching control means outputs a signal for switching the air outlet to the vent mode air outlet to the mode damper position switching control means, while if it is determined that heating is set, the mode damper position switching control means And a mode damper position compulsory switching control means for outputting a signal for switching the air outlet to the foot mode air outlet.

According to such a configuration, when the vehicle air conditioner is operating when the engine is stopped, the mode damper position compulsory switching control means is automatically operated after the engine is stopped. The position forced switching control means determines whether the air conditioning is set to cooling or heating, and if it is determined that the air conditioning is set to cooling, blowing of air to the mode damper position switching control means is performed. While outputting a signal to switch the tip to the vent mode air outlet, if it is determined that heating is set, the air outlet to the mode damper position switching control means is set to the foot mode air outlet. Outputs the switching signal. Here, when the air conditioning is set to cooling, the mode damper position switching control means receives a signal from the mode damper position forced switching control means, regardless of the mode of the air outlet selected at that time. ,
The air outlet is switched to a vent mode air outlet. In this way, as a result of the cool air being blown to the air outlet which is most likely to provide a refreshing feeling, even if the temperature of the evaporator rises to some extent after the engine is stopped, a comfortable cooling effect can be maintained. Become. On the other hand, when the air conditioning is set to heating, the mode damper position switching control means receives a signal from the mode damper position forced switching control means, regardless of the mode of the air outlet selected at that time, Switch the air outlet to the foot mode air outlet. As a result of the warm air being blown to the air outlet under the feet, the heating effect is further enhanced.

Further, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the above-mentioned required blow-out temperature re-calculating means, air volume re-calculating means, inside / outside air switching damper forced control means, and mode damper position forced switching control means are simultaneously provided. .

By applying such a configuration, the necessary blow-out temperature recalculating means secures the cool air, the airflow recalculating means reduces the sensible temperature fluctuation when the evaporator temperature rises, and maintains the evaporator in a low temperature state for a long time. In addition, due to the synergistic effect of taking in low-temperature air by the inside / outside air switching damper forced control means and optimizing the selection of the air outlet by the mode damper position forced switching control means, appropriate air conditioning can be performed for a longer time after the engine is stopped. Characteristics can be maintained.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a simplified functional block diagram showing a main part of an automotive air conditioner according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

The mechanism of the vehicle air conditioner 1 generally includes a duct 2 serving as an air passage, and an inside / outside air switching damper 3 and a blower fan 4 and an evaporator 5 and a heater core 6 disposed therein. It is composed of an air mix damper 7 and mode dampers 8a, 8b, 8c.

The evaporator 5 is a part of a refrigerant circulation system including a compressor 19, a condenser 20, a liquid tank 21, and an expansion valve 22, and is driven by the power of the engine 24 when the electromagnetic clutch 23 is energized. The gaseous refrigerant sent from 19 is cooled by a cooling liquefaction effect and an expansion effect.

An upstream portion of the duct 2 serving as an air passage is provided with an outside air intake 9 for taking in air from outside of the vehicle and an inside air intake 10 for taking in circulating air in the vehicle. 11 according to the rotation angle of the inside / outside air switching damper 3 oscillated by
The outside air, the inside air, or a mixture thereof is taken into the duct 2.

The air introduced into the duct 2 in this manner is sent to the downstream side by air blowing means composed of the motor 12 and the blower fan 4, and further the position where the evaporator 5 serving as a cooler is provided is changed. As described above, the amount of heat is diverted to the heater core 6 side and the bypass side by the air mix damper 7 which is oscillated by the actuator 13, and the amount of heat is finally adjusted. The air is regulated and sent out from the defroster outlet 14, vent outlet 15, or heat outlet 16 into the vehicle.

The mode dampers 8a, 8b and 8c are driven by an actuator 18 via a link mechanism 17 for coordinating the swinging operations of the mode dampers 8a, 8b and 8c.

Further, the mode dampers 8a, 8
The swing positions of b and 8c are determined by the target temperature set by the temperature setting switch serving as the target temperature setting means, the internal air temperature sensor 25 and the external air temperature sensor 2 constituting the environmental condition detecting means.
6 is automatically adjusted by the mode damper position switching control means on the basis of the magnitude relationship between the value of the blowing temperature calculated by the required blowing temperature calculating means based on the detected value of 6 and the determination value serving as the mode switching reference. It has become so.

For example, when the blowing temperature is high, a foot mode position where air is distributed to a heat outlet 16 provided at the feet of the occupant and a defroster outlet 14 provided near the windshield is provided. When the outlet temperature is medium, the air is distributed to the heat outlet 16 and the vent outlet 15 located in front of the console in a bi-level mode in which air is almost equally distributed. It is moved to a vent mode position for distributing air to the outlet 15.

In other words, a dedicated air outlet is not provided for the foot mode or the bi-level mode, but the function of the air outlet in the foot mode is provided by the heat outlet 16 provided at the foot of the occupant. And a defroster outlet 14 provided in the vicinity of a windshield and a swing position of mode dampers 8a, 8b, 8c for distributing air to these air outlets. The function is the heat outlet 16 and the vent outlet 15 in front of the console, and
Mode damper 8 for distributing air to these air outlets
That is, it is realized as required by the swinging positions of a, 8b, and 8c.

In general, the vent mode and the bi-level mode air outlet function is used when taking in, ventilating, or cooling the outside air, and the foot mode air outlet function is used exclusively for heating. It will be used in such cases.

A control unit 27 for controlling the vehicle air conditioner 1 comprises a CPU, a ROM, a nonvolatile memory, and the like. The motor 12 drives the blower fan 4 to rotate, the actuator 11 swings the inside / outside air switching damper 3, An actuator 13 for swinging the air mix damper 7 and a mode damper 8a,
Each of the actuators 18 for swinging the actuators 8b and 8c is driven and controlled by the CPU of the control unit 27.

An actuator 13 for oscillating the air mix damper 7 and an actuator 1 for oscillating the mode dampers 8a, 8b, 8c of the air outlet.
8, the rotational position of each actuator, that is, the rotational position of the air mix damper 7 and the mode damper damper 8
An air mix damper position detection sensor 28 and a mode damper position detection sensor 29 for detecting the rotational positions of the a, 8b, and 8c are provided, and the swing positions of the air mix damper 7 and the mode damper dampers 8a, 8b, and 8c are determined by the CPU. Is to be detected.

An evaporator temperature sensor 30 composed of a thyristor or the like is provided downstream of the evaporator 5, and the current temperature of the evaporator 5 is detected by the CPU.

Further, a signal from a control panel 31 provided with a temperature setting switch constituting a target temperature setting means, and an internal air temperature sensor 2 serving as an environmental condition detecting means.
5. Signals from the outside air temperature sensor 26, the solar radiation sensor 32, and the engine water temperature sensor 33 are also input to the CPU.

The CPU of the control unit 27
Controls the display state of the control panel 31, the target temperature set by the temperature setting switch, the current value of the inside air temperature and the current value of the engine cooling water, and further, the blowing mode selected at that time, for example, , Bi-level mode, foot mode, vent mode, etc. are displayed using symbolic symbols.

The control unit 27 further receives an engine stop command from an engine stop unit 34 for automatically stopping the engine 24 when predetermined conditions are satisfied, for example, when the idling time in a vehicle stopped state exceeds a set value. Is to be entered. The function of the engine stop unit 34 is publicly known, and has already been deployed in many automobiles in order to reduce environmental pollution and the like due to carbon dioxide and nitrogen compounds contained in the exhaust gas of the engine 24.

FIG. 2 shows the CPU of the control unit 27.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of a function realizing means constituted by a sensor and various sensors. The functions of the CPU as C), the air volume calculation means (D), the motor drive control means (E), and the mode damper position switching control means (F) are already known.

The required outlet temperature calculating means (B) is, for example,
The value of the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 26 as the environmental condition detecting means is Ta, the value of the target value of the room temperature set by the temperature setting switch of the control panel 31 constituting the target temperature setting means is Tset, Assuming that the current value of the indoor temperature detected by the inside air temperature sensor 25 as the condition detecting means is Tr and the value of the amount of solar radiation detected by the solar radiation sensor 32 is Tsun, Tao = Kset / Tset-Ka / Ta-Kr / Tr- The value of the blow-out temperature Tao is calculated by the equation of Ksun · Tsun + C. Note that Ks
et, Ka, Kr, and Ksun are proportional coefficients for temperature control.
Is a constant.

The air mix damper position switching control means (C) is based on the value of the blowing temperature Tao obtained by the necessary blowing temperature calculating means (B), and when the value of the blowing temperature Tao is high, it is sent to the heater core 6 side. The actuator 13 is driven and controlled so that the amount of air to be distributed is increased, and when the value of the blowing temperature Tao is low, the amount of air to be distributed to the heater core 6 is reduced. The damper 7 is swung.

The processing for selecting the blowing mode in the mode damper position switching control means (F) is the same as in the prior art.
This is performed by comparing a magnitude relationship between the value of the blow-out temperature Tao obtained by the necessary blow-out temperature calculating means (B) and a determination value serving as a reference for mode switching. In other words, the outlet temperature
When the Tao value is relatively high, foot mode, blowout temperature T
bi-level mode when the value of ao is medium, the outlet temperature Ta
When the value of o is relatively low, the actuator 18 of the air outlet is controlled so that the vent mode is selected.

The inside / outside air switching damper control means (A) drives the actuator 11 in accordance with the conditions set on the control panel 31 to determine the swing position of the inside / outside air switching damper 3 to allow the outside air or inside air, or The mixture is taken into the duct 2.

The air volume calculating means (D) calculates the deviation between the indoor temperature Tset which is the target value set by the control panel 31 and the current indoor temperature Tr detected by the internal temperature sensor 25 which is the environmental condition detecting means. The amount of air to be sent into the room through the duct 2 is determined based on the above, and the motor drive control means (E) controls the rotation speed of the motor 12 to rotate the blower fan 4 to achieve this amount of air. Normal,
If the deviation is large, a large air volume is required,
If the deviation is small, a relatively small air volume is sufficient.

Next, the air-conditioning state detecting and storing means (G), the air-conditioning state determining means (H),
The functions of the required outlet temperature recalculation means (I), the air volume recalculation means (J), the inside / outside air switching damper forced control means (K), and the mode damper position forced switching control means (L) will be described.

The air-conditioning state detecting and storing means (G) is constituted by a CPU and a nonvolatile memory in the control unit 27. When an engine stop command from the engine stop unit 34 is input to the control unit 27, the control panel (G) is controlled. The setting status of the vehicle air conditioner 31 is read and stored at that time, that is, whether the vehicle air conditioner 1 was turned on or off when the engine 24 was stopped.

The air-conditioning state determination means (H)
The operation is started after the stop of the operation, and the storage state of the air-conditioning state detection storage means (G), that is, whether the vehicle air conditioner 1 was on or off when the engine 24 was stopped at every predetermined cycle. judge. If it is determined that the vehicle air conditioner 1 has been turned on, the air conditioner determination means (H) determines the required blow-out temperature recalculation means (I), the air volume recalculation means (J), and the inside / outside air. The switching damper forced control means (K) and the mode damper position forced switching control means (L) are operated.

The required outlet temperature recalculating means (I) is provided for the outlet temperature Tao calculated by the required outlet temperature calculating means (B).
, Or by multiplying the blowing temperature Tao obtained by the required blowing temperature calculating means (B) by a predetermined coefficient of less than 1 and equal to or greater than 0 to obtain the blowing temperature calculated by the required blowing temperature calculating means (B). An outlet temperature lower than Tao is input to the air mix damper position switching control means (C).

The air volume recalculating means (J) subtracts a predetermined value from the air volume calculated by the air volume calculating means (D), or reduces the air volume calculated by the air volume calculating means (D) by a value less than 1 and 0 or more. After multiplying by a predetermined coefficient, an air flow rate lower than the air flow rate calculated by the air flow rate calculation means (D) is input to the motor drive control means (E).

The inside / outside air switching damper compulsory control means (K) includes an inside temperature Tr detected by the inside temperature sensor 25 and the outside temperature sensor 26 as environmental condition detecting means.
When the outside temperature Ta is lower than the inside temperature Tr, a signal for switching the inside / outside air switching damper 3 to the outside air is output to the inside / outside air switching damper control means (A). When the inside temperature Tr is lower than the outside temperature Ta, a signal for switching the inside / outside air switching damper 3 to the inside air side is output to the inside / outside air switching damper control means (A).

The mode damper position compulsory switching control means (L) refers to the setting state of the control panel 31 to determine whether the air conditioning is set to cooling or heating, and determines whether the air conditioning is set to cooling. If it is determined that heating is set, a signal is output to the mode damper position switching control means (F) to switch the air outlet to the air outlet in the vent mode, while it is determined that heating is set. Outputs a signal to the mode damper position switching control means (F) to switch the air outlet to the foot mode air outlet.

FIG. 3 shows the CPU of the control unit 27.
4 is a flowchart showing an outline of an air-conditioning control process that is repeatedly performed at predetermined intervals by the air conditioner. Hereinafter, the overall operation of the vehicle air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The CP that has started the air-conditioning control process for each predetermined cycle
U first determines whether or not the engine 24 has been stopped by a command from the engine stop control unit 34 (step s1). When the engine 24 is operating, the same processing as that of the related art related to the air conditioning control is executed. However, the air conditioning control under the condition that the engine 24 is operating is the same as the related art. So simply,
Only the normal processing is described, and a detailed description is omitted (step s2).

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step s1 is true, that is, if it is determined that the engine 24 has been stopped by a command from the engine stop control unit 34, first, the air-conditioning state determining means ( C as H)
The PU accesses the air-conditioning state detection storage means (G) constituted by a nonvolatile memory in the controller 27,
When the engine 24 stops, it is determined whether the vehicle air conditioner 1 has been turned on or off (step s3).

When the vehicle air conditioner 1 is turned on when the engine 24 is stopped, the CPU as the required blowout temperature recalculating means (I) outputs the blowout temperature calculated by the necessary blowout temperature calculating means (B). A preset value is subtracted from the temperature Tao, and an outlet temperature lower than the outlet temperature Tao calculated by the required outlet temperature calculating means (B) is calculated again. An input is made to the damper position switching control means (C) (step s4). As described above, the blowing temperature Tao calculated by the required blowing temperature calculating means (B) can also be obtained by multiplying the blowing temperature Tao calculated by the required blowing temperature calculating means (B) by a predetermined coefficient of less than 1 and not less than 0. It is possible to calculate an outlet temperature of a lower value.

When the engine 24 stops, the compressor 1
9 also stops, and after the engine 24 stops, the temperature of the evaporator 5 gradually rises. However, since the target outlet temperature value is automatically reduced when the engine 24 stops, the air The mix damper position switching control means (C) operates to drive the actuator 13,
The air mix damper 7 is swung in a direction to reduce the air distributed to the heater core 6 side in the duct 2, that is, in a direction to further reduce the temperature of the air blown into the room. The temperature of the air delivered from the duct 2 into the room over the
Can be maintained in a state substantially equivalent to that before the drive stop.

Next, the CPU operates the control panel 3
It is determined whether or not the air volume control mode is set to automatic with reference to the setting situation of No. 1 (step s5). And
If the air volume control mode is set to automatic, the CPU as the air volume re-calculating means (J) further subtracts a preset value from the air volume calculated by the air volume calculating means (D), and An air flow having a value lower than the air flow obtained by (D) is calculated again, and this value is input to the motor drive control means (E) as a target air flow (step s6). As described above, by multiplying the air volume calculated by the air volume calculation means (D) by a predetermined coefficient of less than 1 and equal to or greater than 0, the air volume having a value lower than the air volume calculated by the air volume calculation device (D) is set as the target. It can be calculated as a value.

When the engine 24 stops, the compressor 1
9 stops, and after the engine 24 stops, the temperature of the evaporator 5 gradually increases.
The rotation speed of the blower fan 4 driven by the air conditioner, that is, the air volume of the air sent from the duct 2 into the room is automatically limited when the engine 24 is stopped.
Even if the temperature of the air sent from the duct 2 into the room fluctuates to some extent (increase), the passenger is unlikely to notice this temperature fluctuation. In addition, as a result of the restriction of the air volume in this manner, there is an advantage that the amount of air flowing through the portion of the evaporator 5 decreases, and the low temperature state of the evaporator 5 can be maintained for a relatively long time after the engine 24 is stopped. .

On the other hand, if the determination result of step s5 is false, that is, if it is determined that the air volume control mode is set to manual, the process of step s6 is not executed, and the control panel 31 , The rotation speed of the blower fan 4 driven by the motor 12, that is, the amount of air sent from the duct 2 into the room is determined.

Next, the CPU operates the control panel 3
It is determined whether or not the inside / outside air switching mode is set to automatic with reference to the setting situation of No. 1 (step s7). If the inside / outside air switching mode is set to automatic, the CP as the inside / outside air switching damper forcible control means (K) is further set.
U compares the magnitude relationship between the inside air temperature Tr detected by the inside air temperature sensor 25 as the environmental condition detecting means and the outside air temperature Ta detected by the outside air temperature sensor 26 as the environmental condition detecting means (step s8). ).

When the outside air temperature Ta is lower than the inside air temperature Tr, the CPU as the inside / outside air switching damper forcible control means (K) sends the inside / outside air switching damper control means (A) to the inside / outside air switching damper. 3 is the outside air side, that is, the inside air intake 10
While outputting a signal for switching to the closing side (step s10), when the inside temperature Tr is lower than the outside temperature Ta,
A signal is output to the inside / outside air switching damper control means (A) to switch the inside / outside air switching damper 3 to the inside air side, that is, the side to close the outside air intake 9 (step s9).

When the engine 24 stops, the compressor 1
9 stops and the temperature of the evaporator 5 gradually rises after the engine 24 stops. However, since the lower temperature air inside and outside the automobile is taken into the duct 2, the evaporator 5 is stopped. , Air at a relatively low temperature can be circulated around the engine 24, and the temperature rise of the evaporator 5 after the engine 24 is stopped is effectively suppressed. As a result, a relatively long time after the engine 24 is stopped The low temperature state of the evaporator 5 can be maintained throughout.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step s7 is false, that is, if it is determined that the inside / outside air switching mode is set to manual, steps s8 to s8
The process 10 is not executed, and the swing position of the inside / outside air switching damper 3 is determined with priority given to the setting of the control panel 31.

Next, the CPU operates the control panel 3
It is determined whether or not the outlet selection mode is set to automatic with reference to the setting situation of No. 1 (step s11). If the outlet selection mode is set to automatic, furthermore, the bi-level mode is set at the present stage. It is determined whether or not the air outlet is selected (step s12).

When the air outlet in the bi-level mode is selected, the CPU as the mode damper position forced switching control means (L) further controls the control panel 3.
1 to determine whether the air conditioning is set to cooling or heating (step s1).
3).

When it is determined that the cooling is set, the mode damper position compulsory switching control means (L)
CPU outputs a signal to the mode damper position switching control means (F) to switch the air outlet to the air outlet in the vent mode (step s1).
4).

When the engine 24 stops, the compressor 1
9 stops, and after the engine 24 stops, the temperature of the evaporator 5 gradually increases, but the air outlet is automatically set to the vent mode air outlet, that is,
Since it is possible to switch to the air outlet that provides the coolest feeling, even if the temperature of the evaporator 5 rises to a certain extent after the engine 24 stops, it is possible to maintain a comfortable cooling effect.

If the result of the determination in step s13 is false, that is, if it is determined that the heating is set, the CPU as the mode damper position forced switching control means (L) sets the mode damper Position switching control means (F)
Then, a signal for switching the air outlet to the foot mode air outlet is output (step s15). By the processing in step s4 and the like described above, regardless of whether cooling is selected or heating is selected, after the engine 24 is stopped, automatic control that is exclusively advantageous for cooling is performed. In this situation, the air outlet is automatically switched to the air outlet in the foot mode, that is, the air outlet under the foot where warmth is required. Even when the value is reset to a lower value, a sufficient heating effect can be expected.

If the result of the determination in step s12 is false, that is, if it is determined at this stage that the vent mode or the foot mode air outlet has already been selected, it is performed in the same manner as usual. It is considered that an appropriate air outlet has already been selected by the automatic selection process of the outlet selection mode to be performed, and the processes of steps s13 to s15 are not executed. The forced switching to the vent mode or the foot mode is required only when the bi-level mode air outlet is selected in a neutral air-conditioning state.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step s11 is false, that is, if it is determined that the outlet selection mode is set to manual, the processing in steps s12 to s15 is not executed. Thus, the mode of the air outlet is determined with priority given to the setting of the control panel 31.

As described above, as one embodiment, the necessary blow-out temperature recalculating means (I) secures the cool air, the air flow recalculating means (J) reduces the sensible temperature fluctuation, and maintains the low temperature state of the evaporator 5 for a long time. An example of the automotive air conditioner 1 that simultaneously executes the intake of low-temperature air by the inside / outside air switching damper forced control means (K) and the optimization of the mode selection of the air outlet by the mode damper position forced switching control means (L). As described above, by applying any one of the means (I) to (L) or a combination of some of the means (I) to (L),
It is possible to maintain the air conditioning characteristics after the engine 24 is stopped, in particular, the air conditioning characteristics related to cooling in a more comfortable state, as compared with a conventional automobile air conditioner that does not include these.

[0071]

According to the automotive air conditioner of the present invention, when the engine is automatically stopped in consideration of environmental pollution and the like, the blow-off air blowing temperature is corrected to a value lower than a normal value. The position of the air mix damper is adjusted based on the blowout temperature of the evaporator, so the compressor is stopped due to the stop of the engine when waiting for a signal or temporarily stopping, etc., and the temperature of the evaporator gradually increased. Even in such a case, the temperature of the air sent from the air conditioner body into the room for a certain period of time after the engine is stopped can be maintained at a state substantially equal to that during traveling. Moreover, since no processing is performed to add an operation to the target value of the blow-out temperature while the engine is running, the harmful effects of the conventional technology such as the interior of the vehicle being cooled more than necessary while the vehicle is running are completely eliminated. Will be resolved. Also, instead of controlling the temperature of the evaporator while the engine is running, the temperature of the air sent to the room is adjusted by adjusting the amount of air distributed to the evaporator and the heater core after the engine stops. Therefore, unlike the prior art, it is not necessary to cool down the evaporator for a short time before the vehicle stops, and even if the vehicle suddenly stops, the air conditioning is performed for a certain time after the engine stops. The temperature of the air sent from the apparatus body into the room can be maintained in a comfortable state.

Further, since the amount of air sent from the air conditioner body into the room is restricted by the automatic stop of the engine, the operation of the compressor is stopped by the stop of the engine, and the temperature of the evaporator rises. Even in such a case, the perceived temperature fluctuation of the air blown into the room can be alleviated, and at the same time, the amount of air passing through the evaporator also decreases, so that it can be taken for a relatively long time after the engine stops. Thus, the low temperature state of the evaporator can be maintained.

After the engine is stopped, the air having the lower temperature is taken in and out of the vehicle and used for air conditioning. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the temperature rise of the evaporator after the engine is stopped. This makes it possible to maintain the low temperature state of the evaporator for a relatively long time after the engine is stopped.

Further, when cooling is being performed by air conditioning after the engine is stopped, the air outlet in the vent mode in which the refreshing feeling is most easily obtained is automatically selected.
Even if the temperature of the evaporator rises to some extent after the engine stops, a comfortable cooling effect can be maintained continuously.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a simplified functional block diagram showing a main part of an automotive air conditioner according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of a function realizing means constituted by a CPU and various sensors of the control unit of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart schematically showing an air conditioning control process performed by a CPU of a control unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automotive air conditioner 2 Duct 3 Inside / outside air switching damper 4 Blower fan 5 Evaporator 6 Heater core 7 Air mix damper 8a, 8b, 8c Mode damper 9 Outside air intake 10 Internal air intake 11 Actuator 12 Motor 13 Actuator 14 Defroster outlet (foot) Part of the air outlet of the mode) 15 Vent outlet (part of the air outlet of the vent mode, part of the air outlet of the bi-level mode) 16 Heat outlet (air outlet of the foot mode, air blowing in the bi-level mode) Part of the outlet) 17 Link mechanism 18 Actuator 19 Compressor 20 Capacitor 21 Liquid tank 22 Expansion valve 23 Electromagnetic clutch 24 Engine 25 Internal temperature sensor (part of environmental condition detecting means) 26 External air temperature sensor (Environmental condition detecting means) 27) Control unit 28 Air mix damper position detection sensor 29 Mode damper position detection sensor 30 Evaporator temperature sensor 31 Control panel (target temperature setting means) 32 Solar radiation sensor (part of environmental condition detection means) 33 Engine water temperature sensor 34 Engine Stop unit (A) Inside / outside air switching damper control means (B) Required blowing temperature calculation means (C) Air mix damper position switching control means (D) Air volume calculation means (E) Motor drive control means (F) Mode damper position switching control Means (G) Air-conditioning state detection and storage means (H) Air-conditioning state determination means (I) Required blowing temperature recalculation means (J) Airflow recalculation means (K) Internal / external air switching damper forced control means (L) Mode damper position forced switching Control means

Claims (5)

[Claims] An evaporator driven by a compressor driven by an engine, a heater core, an air mix damper for distributing intake air to the evaporator and the heater core and adjusting a temperature of air to be sent indoors, and an air conditioning control. Environmental condition detecting means for detecting relevant environmental conditions, target temperature setting means for setting an indoor temperature serving as a target value of air-conditioning control, environmental conditions detected by the environmental condition detecting means, and the target temperature A required blowout temperature calculating means for calculating a blowout temperature of air to be sent from the air conditioner main body to the room based on the indoor temperature set by the setting means, and a blowout temperature calculated by the necessary blowout temperature calculating means. Air mix damper position switching control means for adjusting the swing position of the air mix damper, and A vehicle air conditioner provided in a vehicle having a function of automatically stopping an engine, wherein the vehicle air conditioner detects and stores an on / off state of the vehicle air conditioner at the time of automatically stopping the engine; After the engine is stopped, an air-conditioning state determination unit that determines an on / off state of air conditioning stored in the air-conditioning state detection storage unit, and an on-state is stored in the air-conditioning state detection storage unit by the air-conditioning state determination unit. Only when it is determined that the required temperature has been set, the air mix is changed to a blow-off temperature lower than the blow-out temperature calculated by the necessary blow-out temperature calculating means instead of the blow-out temperature calculated by the necessary blow-out temperature calculating means. An air conditioner for a vehicle, comprising: a necessary blowout temperature recalculation means for inputting to a damper position switching control means. 2. An evaporator driven by a compressor driven by an engine, a heater core, an air mix damper for adjusting the temperature of air to be distributed to the evaporator and the heater core and sent out to the room, and a target value. Air volume calculating means for calculating the air volume of the air to be sent from the air conditioner body based on the difference between the room temperature and the current room temperature, and driving control of the blower fan motor based on the air volume calculated by the air volume calculating device An air conditioner for a vehicle provided with a function of automatically stopping the engine when a predetermined condition is satisfied, wherein the air conditioner for the vehicle is turned on and off when the engine is automatically stopped. Air-conditioning state detection storage means for detecting and storing an off state; and detecting the air-conditioning state after the engine is stopped. Only when the air-conditioning state determining means determines the on / off state of the air-conditioning stored in the storage means and when the air-conditioning state detecting means determines that the on-state is stored in the air-conditioning state detecting and storing means. An air flow rate recalculating means for inputting an air flow rate lower than the air flow rate calculated by the air flow rate calculating means to the motor drive control means instead of the air flow rate calculated by the air flow rate calculating means. Automotive air conditioners. 3. An evaporator driven by a compressor driven by an engine, a heater core, and an inside / outside air switching damper control means for driving an inside / outside air switching damper to switch an intake destination of air used for air conditioning between inside and outside of the vehicle. An air mix damper for adjusting the temperature of the air to be delivered indoors by distributing the taken air to an evaporator and a heater core, and an environmental condition detecting means for detecting an environmental condition related to air conditioning control. A vehicle air conditioner provided in a vehicle having a function of automatically stopping the engine at any time, wherein an air conditioning state detection storage means for detecting and storing an on / off state of the vehicle air conditioner at the time of the automatic stop of the engine. After the engine is stopped, the air conditioner ON / OFF state stored in the air conditioner state detection storage unit is changed. Only when the air-conditioning state determining means determines that the ON state is stored in the air-conditioning state detection storage means, the inside air temperature and the outside air temperature detected by the environmental condition detecting means are determined. When the outside air temperature is lower than the inside air temperature, a signal for switching the inside and outside air switching damper to the outside air side is output to the inside and outside air switching damper control means, while the inside air temperature is lower than the outside air temperature. In this case, an internal / external air switching damper compulsory control unit for outputting a signal for switching the internal / external air switching damper to the internal air side is provided to the internal / external air switching damper control unit. 4. An evaporator operated by a compressor driven by an engine, a heater core, an air mix damper for distributing intake air to the evaporator and the heater core and adjusting a temperature of air to be sent indoors, and air conditioning control. Environmental condition detecting means for detecting relevant environmental conditions, target temperature setting means for setting an indoor temperature serving as a target value of air-conditioning control, environmental conditions detected by the environmental condition detecting means, and the target temperature A required blowing temperature calculating means for calculating a blowing temperature of air to be sent from the air conditioner main body into the room based on the room temperature set by the setting means; a blowing temperature and a switching reference obtained by the required blowing temperature calculating means; Based on the magnitude relationship with the judgment value, the air outlet in the foot mode, the air outlet in the bilevel mode, and the vent mode A mode damper position switching control means for switching an air outlet between the air outlet and the air outlet, and a vehicle air conditioner provided in a vehicle having a function of automatically stopping the engine when predetermined conditions are satisfied. An air-conditioning state detection storage means for detecting and storing an on / off state of the vehicle air conditioner at the time of automatic stop of the engine; and an on / off state of air conditioning stored in the air-conditioning state detection means after the engine is stopped. Air-conditioning state determination means for determining the OFF state, and only when the air-conditioning state determination means determines that the ON state is stored in the air-conditioning state detection storage means, the air conditioning is set to cooling or heating It is determined whether or not the air outlet is set. While outputting a signal for switching to the mode air outlet, when it is determined that heating is set, a signal for switching the air outlet to the foot mode air outlet to the mode damper position switching control means. And a mode damper position forcible switching control means for outputting a signal. 5. An evaporator driven by a compressor driven by an engine, a heater core, and an inside / outside air switching damper control means for driving an inside / outside air switching damper to switch an intake destination of air used for air conditioning between inside and outside of the vehicle. , An air mix damper that adjusts the temperature of the air that is distributed to the evaporator and the heater core and sends out the taken air to the room, an environmental condition detecting means for detecting an environmental condition related to the air conditioning control, and a target value of the air conditioning control. Target temperature setting means for setting the indoor temperature, and the air conditioner main body should be sent indoors based on the environmental conditions detected by the environmental condition detecting means and the indoor temperature set by the target temperature setting means. A required blow-out temperature calculating means for obtaining the air blow-out temperature; and a blow-out temperature calculated by the required blow-out temperature calculating means. Air mix damper position switching control means for adjusting the swing position of the air mix damper, and determining the amount of air to be sent from the air conditioner body based on a deviation between the target room temperature and the current room temperature. Air volume calculation means to be obtained, motor drive control means for driving and controlling the motor of the blower fan based on the air volume calculated by the air volume calculation means, and an air temperature determined by the required air temperature calculation means and a determination as a switching reference A mode damper position switching control means for switching the air outlet between the air outlet in the foot mode, the air outlet in the bilevel mode, and the air outlet in the vent mode based on the magnitude relationship with the value, An automotive air conditioner provided in a vehicle having a function of automatically stopping the engine when a predetermined condition is satisfied, wherein the air conditioner is configured to automatically stop the engine. Air-conditioning state detection and storage means for detecting and storing the on / off state of the vehicle air conditioner, and air-conditioning for determining the on / off state of air-conditioning stored in the air-conditioning state detection means after the engine is stopped Only when it is determined by the air-conditioning state determination means that the ON state is stored in the air-conditioning state detection storage means, the air-conditioning state determination means replaces the blowing temperature obtained by the required blowing temperature calculation means with the air-conditioning state. A required blowout temperature recalculation unit for inputting a blowout temperature having a value lower than the blowout temperature calculated by the required blowout temperature calculation unit to the air mix damper position switching control unit; and the air conditioning state detection storage unit by the air conditioning state determination unit. Only when it is determined that the ON state is stored, the air flow rate calculated by the air flow rate calculating means is replaced with the air flow rate calculated by the air flow rate calculating means. Only when it is determined that the ON state is stored in the air conditioning state detection storage means by the air conditioning state determination means, A signal for comparing the inside air temperature and the outside air temperature detected by the environmental condition detecting means, and when the outside air temperature is lower than the inside air temperature, a signal for switching the inside / outside air switching damper to the outside air side to the inside / outside air switching damper control means. On the other hand, when the inside air temperature is lower than the outside air temperature, the inside / outside air switching damper forcible control means for outputting a signal for switching the inside / outside air switching damper to the inside air side to the inside / outside air switching damper control means, Only when the state determination means determines that the on state is stored in the air conditioning state detection storage means, determines whether the air conditioning is set to cooling or heating. When it is determined that cooling is set, while outputting a signal for switching the air outlet to the air outlet in the vent mode to the mode damper position switching control means, it is determined that heating is set. An automobile having a mode damper position compulsory switching control means for outputting a signal for switching the air blowing destination to a foot mode air outlet to the mode damper position switching control means if the judgment is made; Air conditioner.