JP2004042706A - Air conditioner for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce uncomfortable feeling when an occupant gets on a vehicle and is seated on a seat when performing air conditioning while there is no occupant in the vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: An air conditioner for a vehicle is provided with an infrared sensor IR detecting surface temperature Tseat of the seat S on which the occupant is seated and an occupant absence discriminating means S40 for discriminating whether the occupant is absent or not. When it is discriminated that the occupant is absent by the occupant absence discriminating means S40, occupant absence time air conditioning for air conditioning so that the surface temperature Tseat of the seat detected by the infrared sensor IR approaches target seat surface temperature To is performed. Since the surface temperature Tseat of the seat is reduced or increased to the target seat surface temperature To by the occupant absence time air conditioning, it is possible to reduce uncomfortable feeling when the occupant gets on the vehicle and is seated on the seat S. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner.
[0002]
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, there has been air conditioning control that uses a remote control starter or the like to operate an air conditioner before the occupant gets into the vehicle, thereby improving the air conditioning feeling when the occupant gets into the vehicle. In addition, when the user temporarily gets off the vehicle, such as shopping for a drink or a cigarette, the air-conditioning system may be operated while the air-conditioning control during boarding is continued.
[0003]
However, even if the cabin is air-conditioned to a comfortable temperature by performing air conditioning when the occupant is absent, if the seat surface temperature does not match the feeling of warmth, the occupant gets into the vehicle and sits on the seat Sometimes feels uncomfortable. For example, even if the vehicle interior is cooled to a comfortable temperature by performing a cooling operation when the occupant is absent, if the seat surface is hot due to solar radiation or the like, it is uncomfortable when the user gets into the vehicle and sits on the seat. Further, even if the passenger compartment is in the heating operation to heat the passenger compartment to a comfortable temperature, if the seat surface is cold, it is uncomfortable when the user gets into the vehicle and sits on the seat.
[0004]
In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to reduce discomfort when an occupant gets into a vehicle and sits on a seat when performing air conditioning when an occupant is not present.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a seat temperature detecting means (IR) for detecting a surface temperature of a seat (S) on which an occupant sits, and whether or not the occupant is absent is determined. An occupant absent determining means (S40), and when the occupant absent determining means (S40) determines that the occupant is absent, the temperature detected by the seat temperature detecting means (IR) approaches the target seat surface temperature. It is characterized by performing air conditioning when the occupant is absent.
[0006]
As a result, the air temperature when the occupant is absent cools or heats the surface temperature of the seat (S) to the target seat surface temperature, thereby reducing discomfort when the occupant gets into the vehicle and sits on the seat. As a specific example of air conditioning when the occupant is absent, for example, when the outside air temperature is high, a cooling operation is performed so as to cool the surface of the seat (S) to a temperature at which the occupant feels comfortable, and when the outside air temperature is low, the occupant is comfortable. The heating operation is performed so as to heat the surface of the sheet (S) to a temperature felt by the user.
[0007]
Here, the surface temperature of the seat (S) that the occupant feels comfortable varies depending on the outside air temperature, the amount of solar radiation, and the indoor temperature. If the correction is made based on at least one of the amount and the room temperature, the surface temperature of the seat (S) can be closely approximated to the temperature at which the occupant feels comfortable.
[0008]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, an infrared sensor having a plurality of temperature detection elements is provided, and among the plurality of temperature detection light elements (p1 to p16), a temperature detection element (p10) corresponding to infrared rays from the sheet (S). , P6) as sheet temperature detecting means (IR), other temperature detecting elements (p1, p14) as correcting elements, and based on the outputs of the correcting elements (p1, p14), the outside air temperature, the amount of solar radiation, and the indoor temperature. And estimating at least one of the following values.
[0009]
This eliminates the need to provide a detecting means for detecting at least one of the outside air temperature, the amount of solar radiation, and the indoor temperature, separately from the infrared sensor, thereby reducing costs.
[0010]
Further, as in the invention according to claim 4, it is preferable to use an infrared sensor for the seat temperature detecting means (IR).
[0011]
In the invention described in claim 5, an infrared sensor for detecting an occupant temperature is provided for detecting the temperature of the occupant seated on the seat (S), and air conditioning is performed in accordance with the temperature detected by the infrared sensor for detecting the occupant temperature when the occupant gets on the vehicle. The infrared sensor for detecting the occupant temperature is provided at a position for detecting the surface temperature of the seat (S) when the occupant is absent, so that the infrared sensor for detecting the occupant temperature can be used as the infrared sensor for detecting the seat temperature. (IR).
[0012]
As a result, the number of installed infrared sensors can be reduced as compared with the case where both the infrared sensor for detecting the occupant temperature and the infrared sensor (IR) for detecting the seat temperature are installed, and the cost can be reduced.
[0013]
Further, in the invention described in claim 6, the occupant absence determination means (S40) determines that the occupant is not present when the amount of change per unit time of the output from the infrared sensor (IR) for seat temperature detection is equal to or more than a predetermined amount. It is characterized by determining that there is.
[0014]
Accordingly, the occupant absence is determined by the occupant absence determination means (S40) using the detection value of the infrared sensor (IR) for detecting the seat temperature without providing a dedicated detection means for detecting whether or not the occupant is absent. Since it can be determined whether or not the cost is lower, the cost can be reduced.
[0015]
Preferably, the predetermined amount described in claim 6 is corrected based on at least one of the outside air temperature, the amount of solar radiation, and the indoor temperature as in the invention described in claim 7.
[0016]
In the invention according to claim 8, the seat temperature detecting infrared sensor (IR) includes a plurality of infrared light receiving elements, and among the plurality of infrared light receiving elements, an infrared light receiving element corresponding to an infrared ray from an occupant is provided. An element for the occupant, another infrared light receiving element as a correction element, and a change per unit time of the output of the occupant element as a change per unit time of the output of the infrared sensor for seat temperature detection (IR); It is characterized in that at least one of the outside air temperature, the amount of solar radiation, and the room temperature is estimated based on the output of the correction element.
[0017]
As a result, it is possible to eliminate the need to provide a detecting means for detecting at least one of the outside air temperature, the amount of solar radiation, and the indoor temperature, separately from the infrared sensor (IR) for detecting the seat temperature, thereby reducing costs. Can be.
[0018]
Also, as in the ninth aspect, the occupant absence determination means (S40) is preferably configured to determine that the occupant is absent when the vehicle engine is driven by remote control from outside the vehicle. .
[0019]
Further, as in the tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a seat pressure detecting means (39a) for detecting a pressure applied from the surface of the seat (S), and the occupant absence determining means (S40) is provided with a seat pressure detecting means (39a). If the pressure detected in step (1) is equal to or less than a predetermined value, it is preferable to determine that the occupant is not present.
[0020]
Further, as in the invention as set forth in claim 11, a seat belt detecting means (39b) for detecting whether or not a seat belt is used is provided, and the occupant absence determination means (S40) is provided by the seat belt detecting means (39b). It is preferable to determine that the occupant is absent when it is detected that the belt is not used.
[0021]
Further, as in the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the vehicle further comprises a door open / close detecting means (39c) for detecting the opening / closing of the vehicle door, and the occupant absence determination means (S40) outputs the detection result of the door open / close detecting means (39c). Accordingly, it is preferable to determine that the occupant is absent.
[0022]
Further, as in the invention according to the thirteenth aspect, it is preferable that air conditioning when the occupant is absent is performed by a front air conditioning unit (U) that blows conditioned air toward the upper body of the occupant.
[0023]
Further, in the invention according to claim 14, the face outlet (27) through which the conditioned air is blown toward the upper body of the occupant is provided with a swing register capable of swinging and controlling the blowing direction, thereby performing air conditioning when the occupant is absent. When performing, the swing register is controlled so that the blowing direction is toward the sheet (S).
[0024]
Thus, the conditioned air from the front air conditioning unit (U) is directly blown onto the sheet (S), so that the surface temperature of the sheet (S) can be easily set to the target sheet surface temperature in a short time.
[0025]
Further, in the invention according to claim 15, there is provided a freezing window fogging detecting means for detecting at least one of freezing and window fogging of the front windshield of the vehicle, and the freezing window fogging detecting means detects freezing and fogging of the window. When at least one is detected, air conditioning in the absence of an occupant is prohibited, and anti-fogging air conditioning for performing air conditioning in a defroster blowing mode for blowing conditioned air toward the front windshield is performed.
[0026]
Thereby, in the case where the front windshield freezes or fogs over the window, air conditioning when the occupant is absent can be prohibited, and vehicle driving safety can be enhanced.
[0027]
Further, the invention according to claim 16 is characterized in that a seat blower for blowing conditioned air from the inside of the seat (S) toward the occupant is provided, and air conditioning when the occupant is absent is performed by the seat blower.
[0028]
According to this, since air conditioning is performed using the sheet blower when the occupant is absent, it is easier to set the surface temperature of the seat (S) to the target seat surface temperature than when using another air conditioning unit (U). Can be.
[0029]
It should be noted that reference numerals in parentheses of the above-described units are examples showing the correspondence with specific units described in the embodiments described later.
[0030]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0031]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the present embodiment, and a refrigeration cycle R of a vehicle air conditioner is provided with a compressor 1 that sucks, compresses, and discharges refrigerant. The compressor 1 has an electromagnetic clutch 2 for power interruption, and the power of the vehicle engine 4 is transmitted to the compressor 1 via the electromagnetic clutch 2 and the belt 3. The energization of the electromagnetic clutch 2 is interrupted by the air-conditioning electronic control device 5, and the operation of the compressor 1 is interrupted by the intermittent energization of the electromagnetic clutch 2.
[0032]
The high-temperature, high-pressure superheated gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 flows into the condenser 6, where the refrigerant exchanges heat with outside air blown by a cooling fan (not shown) to be cooled and condensed. The refrigerant condensed in the condenser 6 then flows into the receiver 7, where gas and liquid of the refrigerant are separated inside the receiver 7, and the excess refrigerant (liquid refrigerant) in the refrigeration cycle R is discharged into the receiver 7. Stored inside.
[0033]
The liquid refrigerant from the liquid receiver 7 is decompressed to a low pressure by the expansion valve (decompression means) 8 to be in a low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase state. The expansion valve 8 is a temperature-type expansion valve having a temperature sensing portion 8a for sensing the temperature of the refrigerant at the outlet of the evaporator 9. The low-pressure refrigerant from the expansion valve 8 flows into an evaporator (cooling heat exchanger) 9. The evaporator 9 is installed in an air-conditioning case 10 of a vehicle air conditioner, and the low-pressure refrigerant flowing into the evaporator 9 absorbs heat from the air in the air-conditioning case 10 and evaporates. The outlet of the evaporator 9 is connected to the suction side of the compressor 1, and forms a closed circuit by the above-mentioned cycle components.
[0034]
In the air-conditioning case 10, a blower 11 is disposed on the upstream side of the evaporator 9, and the blower 11 is provided with a centrifugal blower fan 12 and a drive motor 13. An inside / outside air switching box 14 is arranged on the suction side of the blower fan 12, and the inside / outside air switching door 14a in the inside / outside air switching box 14 opens and closes the outside air inlet 14b and the inside air inlet 14c. As a result, outside air (vehicle outside air) or inside air (vehicle inside air) is switched and introduced into the inside / outside air switching box 14. The inside / outside air switching door 14a is driven by an electric drive device 14e including a servomotor.
[0035]
In the ventilation system of the air conditioner, the air conditioning unit 15 arranged downstream of the blower 11 is usually arranged at the center position in the vehicle width direction inside the instrument panel at the front of the passenger compartment. Is offset to the passenger seat side.
[0036]
An air mix door 19 is arranged downstream of the evaporator 9 in the air conditioning case 10. Downstream of the air mix door 19, a hot water heater core (heating heat exchanger) 20 for heating air using hot water (cooling water) of the vehicle engine 4 as a heat source is installed. On the side (upper portion) of the hot water type heater core 20, a bypass passage 21 for flowing air while bypassing the hot water type heater core 20 is formed.
[0037]
The air mix door 19 is a rotatable plate-like door, and is driven by an electric drive device 22 including a servomotor. The air mix door 19 adjusts the ratio of the amount of hot air passing through the hot water heater core 20 to the amount of cool air passing through the bypass passage 21. By adjusting the ratio of the amount of cool air and hot air, the air blown into the vehicle compartment is adjusted. Adjust the temperature. Therefore, in this example, the air mix door 19 constitutes a means for adjusting the temperature of the air blown into the vehicle interior.
[0038]
On the downstream side of the hot water type heater core 20, a hot air passage 23 extending upward from the lower side is formed, and the hot air from the hot air passage 23 and the cool air from the bypass passage 21 are mixed in the air mixing section 24, so Can produce temperature air.
[0039]
Further, in the air conditioning case 10, a blowing mode switching unit is configured downstream of the air mixing unit 24. That is, a defroster opening 25 is formed in the upper surface of the air-conditioning case 10, and the defroster opening 25 blows air to the inner surface of the vehicle windshield through a defroster duct (not shown). The defroster opening 25 is opened and closed by a rotatable plate-like defroster door 26.
[0040]
A face opening 27 is formed on the upper surface of the air-conditioning case 10 at a position behind the defroster opening 25 on the vehicle rear side, and the face opening 27 is directed toward the upper body of an occupant of the passenger compartment through a face duct (not shown). It blows out air. The face opening 27 is opened and closed by a rotatable plate-like face door 28.
[0041]
In the air-conditioning case 10, a foot opening 29 is formed below the face opening 27. The foot opening 29 blows air toward the feet of the occupant of the vehicle cabin through a foot duct (not shown). is there. The foot opening 29 is opened and closed by a rotatable plate-like foot door 30.
[0042]
The blowout mode doors 26, 28, and 30 are connected to a common link mechanism (not shown), and are driven by an electric drive device 31 including a servomotor via the link mechanism.
[0043]
Note that the air conditioning unit U including the air conditioning case 10 and the devices 9, 12, 19, 20, 26, 28, 30, and the like arranged in the air conditioning case 10 is arranged inside the instrument panel. Corresponds to the front air conditioning unit described in the range.
[0044]
Next, an outline of the electric control unit in the present embodiment will be described. As the temperature sensor of the evaporator 9, a temperature sensor 32 including a thermistor is provided. The temperature sensor 32 is disposed in the air conditioning case 10 at a position immediately after the air is blown out of the evaporator 9 and detects the evaporator blowout temperature Te.
[0045]
In addition to the temperature sensor 32 described above, the air-conditioning electronic control device 5 includes well-known sensors 33 to 36 for detecting a vehicle interior temperature Tr, an outside air temperature Tam, a solar radiation amount Ts, a hot water temperature Tw, and the like for air-conditioning control. Receives a detection signal. In this embodiment, an infrared sensor IR is provided in the vehicle compartment, and the infrared sensor IR functions as the vehicle interior temperature sensor 33, the outside air temperature sensor 34, and the solar radiation sensor 35.
[0046]
The infrared sensor IR outputs an electric signal corresponding to a change in the amount of infrared light due to a change in the temperature of the test object. In this example, 16 pixels in which the temperature detection elements are arranged in a matrix of 4 columns and 4 columns 2. The matrix-type infrared sensor is installed toward the driver at a substantially central portion of the instrument panel in the vehicle left-right direction. As shown in FIG. Are detected independently of each other.
[0047]
Then, in the temperature detection region of the infrared sensor IR, the vehicle interior temperature Tr is estimated based on the temperature of the temperature detection element p1 corresponding to the ceiling whose surface temperature changes substantially corresponding to the internal air temperature. Further, based on the temperature of the temperature detecting element p14 corresponding to the window glass whose surface temperature changes under the influence of the outside air temperature and the heat of the solar radiation, the outside air temperature Tam and the amount of solar radiation Ts in the temperature detection region of the infrared sensor IR. Is estimated. In addition, the surface temperature Tdr of the driver is estimated based on the temperature of the temperature detecting elements p10 and p6 corresponding to the driver within the temperature detection region of the infrared sensor IR.
[0048]
The air-conditioning control panel 37 installed near the instrument panel in the vehicle compartment is provided with operation switches 37a to 37e that are manually operated by occupants, and operation signals of the operation switches 37a to 37e are also input to the air-conditioning electronic control device 5. Is done.
[0049]
As the operation switches, specifically, a temperature setting switch 37a for generating a temperature setting signal Tset, an air volume switch 37b for generating an air volume switching signal, a blowing mode switch 37c for generating a blowing mode signal, and generating an inside / outside air switching signal. An inside / outside air changeover switch 37d, an air conditioner switch 37e, and the like are provided.
[0050]
The blowout mode switch 37c is used to manually switch among the face mode, foot mode, bilevel mode, foot differential mode, and defroster mode. The air conditioner switch 37e generates an ON / OFF signal for the compressor 1 and generates a signal for setting the target temperature TEO of the evaporator 9 to a lower temperature for preventing frost.
[0051]
Further, the air-conditioning electronic control device 5 is connected to the engine electronic control device 38, and the rotation speed signal and the vehicle speed signal of the vehicle engine 4 are input from the engine electronic control device 38 to the air-conditioning electronic control device 5. Is done.
[0052]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment in the above configuration will be described. The air-conditioning electronic control unit 5 is composed of a well-known microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM and the like and its peripheral circuits. The flowchart of FIG. Is shown. Then, the control routine of FIG. 2 is started when the ignition switch of the vehicle engine 4 is turned on and power is supplied to the control device 5.
[0053]
First, a flag, a timer, and the like are initialized in step S10, and operation signals of the operation switches 37a to 37e of the air conditioning control panel 37 are read in the next step S20. In step S30, the detection signals from the sensors 32 to 36, the vehicle speed signal from the engine electronic control unit 38, and other signals of the vehicle environmental state are read.
[0054]
Next, in step S40 as occupant absence determination means, it is determined whether or not the driver is absent based on the flowchart of the routine program shown in FIG. Here, the temperature detecting elements p10 and p6 corresponding to the driver of the infrared sensor IR detect the surface temperature of the seat S when the occupant is absent.
[0055]
If the amount of change in the detected temperature of the temperature detecting elements p10 and p6 per unit time is equal to or more than a predetermined amount, it is considered that the detected temperature has changed abruptly due to the getting on and off of the occupant, and thereby the occupant is absent. Is determined.
[0056]
Specifically, when it is estimated that there is an occupant, F = 0 is set, and when it is estimated that there is no occupant, F = 1 is set. If it is determined in step S41 that there is no occupant and F = 0, the process proceeds to step S42. In step S42, the absolute value of the temperature change ΔT per unit time of the temperature detection elements p10 and p6 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold T1. Is determined, if | ΔT | ≧ T1, F = 1 is set in step S43, and if | ΔT | <T1, F = 0 is left and the process returns to step S41.
[0057]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S41 that the occupant is present and F = 1, the process proceeds to step S44. In step S44, the absolute value of the temperature change ΔT per unit time of the temperature detection elements p10 and p6 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold T2. Then, if | ΔT | ≧ T2, F = 0 is set in step S45, and if | ΔT | <T2, F = 1 is left, and the process returns to step S41.
[0058]
Next, when it is determined in step S40 that the occupant is in the vehicle with F = 1, normal air conditioning for performing air conditioning so that the vehicle interior temperature Tr approaches the set temperature Tset is performed in step S50. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S40 that F = 0 and the occupant is absent, in step S60, air conditioning is performed so that the surface temperature of the seat S approaches the target seat surface temperature To. I do.
[0059]
FIG. 5 is a detailed flowchart of step S50. First, in step S51, a target blowing temperature TAO of the conditioned air blown into the vehicle compartment is calculated. The target outlet temperature TAO is calculated based on the following equation 1 as an outlet temperature required to bring the vehicle interior temperature Tr closer to the set temperature Tset set by the temperature setting switch 37a.
[0060]
(Equation 1)
TAO = Kset × Tset−Kr × Tr−Kam × Tam−Ks × Ts + C
Here, Tr: vehicle interior temperature detected by the inside air sensor 33
Tam: outside air temperature detected by outside air sensor 34
Ts: solar radiation detected and estimated by infrared sensor IR
Kset, Kr, Kam, Ks: control gain
C: Correction constant
In implementing the present invention, TAO may be corrected according to the driver's surface temperature Tdr detected as described above. Alternatively, neuro control may be performed by calculating TAO using a well-known sigmoid function in which each term in Equation 1 is weighted.
[0061]
Next, in step S52, the target amount of air blown by the blower 11, that is, the blower voltage Ve which is the voltage applied to the blower driving motor 13 is determined based on the TAO. The method of determining the blower voltage Ve is well known, and the blower voltage (target air volume) Ve is increased on the high temperature side (maximum heating side) and low temperature side (maximum cooling side) of the TAO based on the map shown in FIG. The blower voltage (target air volume) Ve is reduced in the intermediate temperature range of the TAO.
[0062]
Next, the inside / outside air mode is determined in step S53. The inside / outside air mode is set to the inside air circulation mode when, for example, the vehicle interior temperature Tr is significantly higher than a predetermined temperature with respect to the set temperature Tset (cooling high load), and is set to the outside air mode at other times. Alternatively, as the TAO rises from the low-temperature side to the high-temperature side, the switching may be set to the whole inside air mode → the inside / outside air mixing mode → the whole outside air mode.
[0063]
Next, in step S54, the blowing mode is determined according to the TAO. As is well known, as the TAO rises from the low-temperature side to the high-temperature side, the blow-out mode is switched and set to face mode → bi-level mode → foot mode.
[0064]
Next, in step S55, the target opening degree SW of the air mix door 19 is calculated by the following equation 2 based on the TAO, the evaporator outlet temperature Te, and the hot water temperature Tw.
[0065]
(Equation 2)
SW = [(TAO-Te) / (Tw-Te)] × 100 (%)
Here, the target opening degree SW of the air mix door 19 is set such that the maximum cooling position (solid line position in FIG. 1) of the air mix door 19 is 0%, and the maximum heating position of the air mix door 19 (dotted line position in FIG. 1). Is expressed as a percentage with 100% as the average.
[0066]
Next, proceeding to step S56, when the air conditioner switch 37e is ON, the target evaporator temperature TEO is determined according to the target blowout temperature TAO in the lowest temperature range where frost formation of the evaporator 9 can be prevented. Then, TEO is compared with the evaporator blowout temperature Te detected by the temperature sensor 32 to determine the applied voltage Vc to the electromagnetic clutch 2 and to determine whether the compressor is operating (ON-OFF). On the other hand, when the air conditioner switch 37e is turned off, the compressor 1 outputs an OFF signal.
[0067]
FIG. 6 is a detailed flowchart of step S60. First, in step S61, the occupant-absent target blowing temperature TAOs of the conditioned air blown into the vehicle compartment is calculated. The target blowing temperature TAOs is calculated based on the following Expression 3 as a blowing temperature necessary for bringing the surface temperature Tseat of the sheet S closer to the target sheet surface temperature To.
[0068]
[Equation 3]
TAOs = Ks1 × To−Ks2 × Tseat
Where To: target sheet temperature
Tseat: sheet surface temperature detected by temperature detecting elements p7 and p8
Ks1, Ks2: control gain
Further, the target sheet temperature To is calculated based on the following equation (4).
[0069]
(Equation 4)
To = 25−Ksam × Tam−Kss × Ts + C1
However, Ksam, Kss: control gain
C1: Correction constant
As shown in Expression 4, the target seat temperature To is calculated by correcting the numerical value of 25 ° C. based on the outside air temperature Tam and the amount of solar radiation Ts. Further, as shown in Expression 3, the occupant-absent target outlet temperature TAOs is calculated according to the difference between the target seat temperature To and the seat surface temperature Tseat.
[0070]
Therefore, during the cooling operation in summer, the higher the seat surface temperature Tseat, the smaller the value of the occupant-absent target outlet temperature TAOs is calculated, and the lower the seat surface temperature Tsat, the higher the occupant-absent target outlet temperature TAOs becomes. It is calculated as follows. On the other hand, during the winter heating operation, the lower the seat surface temperature Tseat, the higher the value of the occupant absence target outlet temperature TAOs is calculated, and the higher the seat surface temperature Tseat, the lower the occupant absence target outlet temperature TAOs becomes. It is calculated as follows.
[0071]
Next, in step S62, the blower voltage Ve is determined based on the TAOs. This blower voltage Ve is determined by increasing the blower voltage (target air volume) Ve on the high temperature side (maximum heating side) and low temperature side (maximum cooling side) of the TAOs based on the map shown in FIG. The blower voltage (target air volume) Ve is reduced in the intermediate temperature range of (1). Incidentally, the map of FIG. 7 used in step S52 and the map of FIG. 7 used in step S62 are maps set according to each TAO and TAOs, and are not necessarily the same map.
[0072]
Next, in step S63, the suction port mode is forcibly set to the inside air circulation mode regardless of the value of TAOs. Next, in step S64, the blowing mode is forcibly determined to be the face mode regardless of the value of TAOs.
[0073]
Next, proceeding to step S66, when the air conditioner switch 37e is ON, the target evaporator temperature TEO according to the occupant absent target blowout temperature TAOs is set in the lowest temperature range where frost formation of the evaporator 9 can be prevented. decide. Then, TEO is compared with the evaporator blowout temperature Te detected by the temperature sensor 32 to determine the applied voltage Vc to the electromagnetic clutch 2 and to determine whether the compressor is operating (ON-OFF). On the other hand, when the air conditioner switch 37e is turned off, the compressor 1 outputs an OFF signal.
[0074]
Next, the process proceeds to step S70, where control signals are output to the various actuator units 2, 13, 14e, 22, 31 so that the control states determined in steps S50 and S60 are obtained. When the elapse of the control cycle τ is determined in the next step S80, the process returns to step S20.
[0075]
FIG. 8 is a graph showing changes in the temperature detected by each of the temperature detecting elements p7, p8, p10, and p6 of the infrared sensor IR when normal operation and air conditioning in the absence of an occupant according to the present embodiment perform the summer cooling operation. This is experimental data indicating the time t. During the elapsed time t shown in FIG. 8, the driver gets on the board at first, gets off, then gets on and off again.
[0076]
The temperature detecting elements p10 and p6 detect the surface temperature Tdr of the driver's face when the driver is in the vehicle, and detect the temperature of the rear glass indicated by reference symbol G in FIG. 2 when the driver is absent. ing.
[0077]
From the experimental results shown in FIG. 8, it can be confirmed that at the time when the occupant gets off the vehicle and the time when the occupant gets off the vehicle, the detected temperatures of the respective temperature detecting elements p7, p8, p10, and p6 change rapidly per unit time. As described above, it can be confirmed that it is possible to determine whether or not the occupant is absent using the infrared sensor IR.
[0078]
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating changes in temperature detected by each of the temperature detecting elements p7, p8, p10, and p6 of the infrared sensor IR when the normal operation and the air conditioning in the absence of an occupant perform the heating operation in winter in the present embodiment. , And the elapsed time t. During the elapsed time t shown in FIG. 9, the driver gets on the board at first, gets off, then gets on and off again.
[0079]
The temperature detecting elements p7 and p8 detect the surface temperature Tdr of the driver's body when the driver is in the vehicle, and detect the seat surface temperature Tseat when the driver is absent.
[0080]
As shown in FIG. 9, it can be confirmed that it is possible to determine whether or not the occupant is absent using the infrared sensor IR in the heating operation as in the cooling operation.
[0081]
Incidentally, in FIGS. 8 and 9, during the absence of the occupant from the time of dismounting to the time of re-riding, the above-described occupant-absent air conditioning is performed, and the temperatures detected by the temperature detection elements p7 and p8 during the absence of the occupant are shown. Is the sheet surface temperature Tseat.
[0082]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when it is determined in step S40 that the occupant is absent, the occupant-absent air conditioning that air-conditions so that the seat surface temperature Tseat detected by the infrared sensor IR approaches the target seat surface temperature To. I do. By this air conditioning when the occupant is not present, the seat surface temperature Tseat is cooled or heated to the target seat surface temperature To, so that the discomfort when the occupant gets into the vehicle and sits on the seat S can be reduced.
[0083]
One infrared sensor IR can detect the values of the seat surface temperature Tseat, the occupant surface temperature Tdr, the outside air temperature Tam, the amount of solar radiation Ts, and the indoor temperature Tr, so that the number of installed sensors can be reduced and cost can be reduced. be able to. Moreover, when the change amount per unit time is equal to or more than the predetermined amount using the temperature detection elements p10 and p6 of the infrared sensor IR, it is determined that the occupant is absent. Therefore, a detecting means for detecting the occupant absence is separately provided. This can be abolished, and the cost can be further reduced.
[0084]
(Other embodiments)
In implementing the present invention, if the target seat surface temperature To is corrected based on at least one of the outside air temperature Tam, the solar radiation amount Ts, and the room temperature Tr, the occupant can comfortably adjust the seat surface temperature Tseat. This is suitable because the temperature can be closely approached to the temperature to be felt.
[0085]
Further, in practicing the present invention, it is preferable that the threshold values T1 and T2 as the predetermined amounts are corrected based on at least one of the outside air temperature Tam, the solar radiation amount Ts, and the room temperature Tr.
[0086]
In addition, the occupant absence determination unit S41 of the above embodiment performs the determination using the infrared sensor IR. As a modified example of the determination, when the vehicle engine is driven by remote operation from outside the vehicle, FIG. When the pressure detected by the seat pressure detecting means 39a shown in FIG. 1 is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and when at least one of the cases where the seat belt detecting means 39b shown in FIG. It is determined that the occupant is absent.
[0087]
In addition, as an example of the seat pressure detecting means 39a, a pressure sensor provided inside a seat surface of a vehicle seat can be cited. In addition, as an example of the seat belt detection unit 39b, a switch that is turned on / off in accordance with the attachment / detachment of the seat belt is given. Alternatively, it may be determined that the occupant is absent based on the detection result of the door opening / closing detecting means 39c.
[0088]
Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, a swing register capable of swinging and controlling the blowing direction is provided at the face outlet 27, and the swing register is set so that the blowing direction is directed to the seat S when air conditioning is performed in the absence of an occupant. Is controlled, the conditioned air from the front air-conditioning unit U is directly blown onto the sheet S, so that the surface temperature Tseat of the sheet S can be easily set to the target sheet surface temperature To in a short time. .
[0089]
Further, in practicing the present invention, the vehicle further includes a freezing window fogging detecting unit that detects at least one of freezing and window fogging of the front windshield of the vehicle, and at least one of freezing and window fogging is detected by the freezing window fogging detecting unit. If detected, the air conditioning in the absence of an occupant is prohibited, and anti-fog air conditioning is performed by using a defroster blowing mode in which conditioned air is blown toward the front windshield. In the case where the window becomes cloudy, air conditioning when the occupant is absent can be prohibited, and the safety of driving the vehicle can be improved.
[0090]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the occupant-absent air conditioning is performed by the front air-conditioning unit U. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a sheet blowing device that blows air from the inside of the seat S toward the occupant. And air conditioning when the occupant is not present may be performed by the sheet blowing device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall system diagram showing a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a temperature detection area by the infrared sensor of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating air conditioning control of the vehicle air conditioner of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a routine program corresponding to step S40 in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a detailed flowchart of step S50 in FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a detailed flowchart of step S60 in FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between a target blowout temperature TAO, a target blowout temperature TAOs when no occupant is present, and a blower voltage.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a relationship between a change in temperature detected by each of the temperature detection elements p7, p8, p10, and p6 during cooling operation and an elapsed time t.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a relationship between a change in temperature detected by each of the temperature detection elements p7, p8, p10, and p6 during a heating operation and an elapsed time t.
[Explanation of symbols]
S: seat, S40: occupant absence determination means,
IR: infrared sensor (sheet temperature detecting means).

Claims (16)

Seat temperature detecting means (IR) for detecting a surface temperature of a seat (S) on which an occupant sits;
An occupant absent determination means (S40) for determining whether or not the occupant is absent;
If it is determined that the occupant is absent by the occupant absent determining means (S40), the occupant-absent air-conditioning is performed so that the temperature detected by the seat temperature detecting means (IR) approaches the target seat surface temperature. A vehicle air conditioner characterized by the above-mentioned. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the target seat surface temperature is corrected based on at least one of an outside air temperature, a solar radiation amount, and a room temperature. Equipped with an infrared sensor with multiple temperature sensing elements,
Among the plurality of temperature detecting light elements (p1 to p16), a temperature detecting element (p10, p6) corresponding to infrared rays from the sheet (S) is used as the sheet temperature detecting means (IR), and the other temperature detecting elements (p1, p16) are used. p14) as a correction element,
The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the outside air temperature, the amount of solar radiation, and the room temperature is estimated based on an output of the correction element (p1, p14). The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein an infrared sensor for detecting a seat temperature is applied to the seat temperature detecting means (IR). An infrared sensor for detecting an occupant temperature that detects the temperature of the occupant seated on the seat (S), and air conditioning is performed according to the temperature detected by the infrared sensor for detecting the occupant temperature when the occupant gets on the vehicle;
By providing the infrared sensor for detecting the occupant temperature at a position where the surface temperature of the seat (S) is detected when the occupant is not present, the infrared sensor for detecting the occupant temperature can be used as the infrared sensor for detecting the seat temperature (IR). The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the vehicle air conditioner is also used. The occupant absence determination means (S40) determines that the occupant is absent when the amount of change per unit time of the output from the infrared sensor (IR) for detecting seat temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 5. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined amount is corrected based on at least one of an outside air temperature, a solar radiation amount, and a room temperature. The sheet temperature detecting infrared sensor (IR) includes a plurality of infrared light receiving elements,
Of the plurality of infrared light receiving elements, an infrared light receiving element corresponding to infrared light from an occupant is used as an occupant element, and the other infrared light receiving elements are used as correction elements,
The amount of change per unit time of the output from the occupant element is defined as the amount of change per unit time of the output from the infrared sensor (IR) for seat temperature detection,
The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the outside air temperature, the amount of solar radiation, and the room temperature is estimated based on an output of the correction element. The occupant absence determining means (S40) determines that the occupant is absent when the vehicle engine is driven by remote control from outside the vehicle, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the occupant absence is determined. Vehicle air conditioner. A sheet pressure detecting means (39a) for detecting a pressure applied from the surface of the sheet (S);
The occupant absence determining means (S40) determines that the occupant is absent when the pressure detected by the seat pressure detecting means (39a) is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of the above. A seat belt detecting means (39b) for detecting whether or not the seat belt is used;
The occupant absence determining means (S40) determines that the occupant is absent when the seat belt detecting means (39b) detects that the seat belt is not used. The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of the above. A door opening / closing detecting means (39c) for detecting opening / closing of the vehicle door;
The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the occupant absence determination unit (S40) determines that the occupant is absent based on a detection result of the door opening / closing detection unit (39c). Air conditioner. A front air-conditioning unit (U) that blows air-conditioned air toward the upper body of the occupant,
The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the front air conditioning unit (U) performs air conditioning when the occupant is absent. A swing register capable of swinging and controlling a blowing direction is provided at a face outlet (27) through which conditioned air is blown toward the upper body of the occupant,
14. The air conditioner for a vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the air conditioner controls the swing register so that the blowing direction is directed toward the seat (S) when the air conditioning is performed when the occupant is absent. Freezing window fogging detection means for detecting at least one of freezing and window fogging of the front windshield of the vehicle,
When at least one of the freezing and the window fogging is detected by the freezing window fogging detecting means, the defroster blowing mode for prohibiting the air conditioning when the occupant is absent and blowing the conditioned air toward the front windshield. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 13 or 14, wherein anti-fogging air conditioning is performed. A seat blower for blowing conditioned air from the inside of the seat (S) toward the occupant;
The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the air conditioning is performed by the seat blower when the occupant is absent.

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