JP2004243862A - Electric heater energization control device for vehicle windowpane - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce time to melt and remove snow or ice accumulated on windowpane from riding of an occupant and curbs fogging due to temperature increase when the occupant rode on a vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: The electric heater energizing control device for vehicle windowpane controls a current carried to an electric heater 19 provided in the windowpane W of a vehicle. The device comprises a primary determination means S110 which judges riding intention of the occupant, and second determination means S130 and S140 which judge occurrence of at least one of the fogging or icing on the windowpane W. When the device judges the riding intention of the occupant and detects at least one of the fogging or icing on the windowpane W, it turns on power to the electric heater 19. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electric heating element energization control device for a vehicle windowpane that heats a windowpane of a vehicle, melts and removes icing or snowfall on the windowpane, and improves cloud prevention.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional electric heating element energization control device for a vehicle window glass is provided with a transparent conductive heating film disposed on a window glass of a vehicle, and after the engine of the vehicle is started, electricity is supplied to the transparent conductive heating film to heat the window glass. A technique for melting and removing ice or snow has been disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-63-11463
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the transparent conductive heating film is energized after the engine of the vehicle is started to melt and remove the icing or snow on the window glass as in the above-described conventional technique, the icing is removed after the occupant gets on the vehicle. There was a problem that the time until was long. Also, in winter mornings and the like, even if there is no icing on the window glass, the temperature of the glass is low, so when the occupant gets into the vehicle, the humidity inside the vehicle compartment increases, and the air near the window glass is easily released. The temperature reached the dew point and fogging occurred, and the visibility of the occupants deteriorated.
[0005]
In view of the above, the present invention shortens the time from the time when an occupant gets on the vehicle until the icing or snow accretion of the vehicle window glass is melted and removed, and the occurrence of fogging due to an increase in humidity when the occupant gets into the vehicle. It aims at suppressing.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is an electric heating element energization control device for a vehicle window glass that energizes an electric heating element (19) disposed on a vehicle window glass (W). And a second determination means (S130, S140) for determining at least one of fogging and icing of the window glass (W). Is determined, and when at least one of clouding and icing of the window glass (W) is determined, energization of the electric heating element (19) is started.
[0007]
According to this, when the occupant's intention to ride is transmitted before the engine is started, the electric heating element (19) is immediately energized to start heating the window glass (W). Melting of the glazed or snow-covered window glass (W) can be made earlier than when the body (19) is energized to start heating the window glass (W). For this reason, it is possible to shorten the time from when the occupant gets on the vehicle until the icing of the vehicle window glass (W) is melted. Further, even if the humidity in the passenger compartment rises due to the occupant's riding, the temperature of the window glass (W) is increased by energizing the electric heating element (19), so that the fogging of the window glass (W) can be suppressed. Furthermore, since power supply to the electric heating element (19) is started only when there is at least one of clouding and icing of the window glass (W), power is not wasted.
[0008]
As in the invention according to claim 2, in the electric heating element energization control device for a vehicle window glass applied to a vehicle provided with a lock (33) that can be opened and closed by an occupant, the first determination means (S110) May determine the occupant riding intention by unlocking the lock (33).
[0009]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle window glass electric heating element energization control device applied to a vehicle in which the lock (33) is opened and closed by remote control of the remote control key (32), the first determination means (S110) ) May determine the occupant's riding intention based on the unlock signal of the remote control key (32).
[0010]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle window glass electric heating element energization control device applied to a vehicle in which an engine is started by remote control of a remote control starter (39), the first determination means (S110) includes a remote control. The occupant riding intention may be determined based on the engine start signal of the starter (39).
[0011]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the second determining means (S130, S140) includes a temperature detecting means (11, 12) having a correlation with the temperature of the window glass (W). ) To determine at least one of fogging and icing of the window glass (W).
[0012]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, a humidity detecting means (16) for detecting humidity in the vehicle compartment is provided, and the fogging of the window glass (W) is detected by the humidity detecting means (16). ).
[0013]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the battery (B) further includes a charging voltage detecting means (13) for detecting a charging voltage of the battery (B) provided in the vehicle. When the charging voltage is lower than the predetermined voltage, the time for energizing the electric heating element (19) is reduced.
[0014]
By the way, in order to start the engine of the vehicle, the battery (B) needs a charging voltage equal to or higher than a predetermined value. According to the seventh aspect, when the voltage of the battery (B) is low, the time for energizing the electric heating element (19) can be reduced, so that power consumption when the charging voltage of the battery (B) is low can be suppressed. Further, when the charging voltage of the battery (B) is lower than a predetermined voltage or lower than another predetermined voltage, control can be performed so as not to energize the electric heating element (19).
[0015]
In addition, the code | symbol in the parenthesis of each said means shows the correspondence with the concrete means described in embodiment mentioned later.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(1st Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an entire electric heating element energization control device for a vehicle window glass according to a first embodiment.
[0017]
The air conditioner ECU 10 as the first control device and the door ECU 30 as the second control device as control means are configured by microcomputers including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. A battery B is connected to the air conditioner ECU 10 and the door ECU 30 to supply power.
[0018]
The air conditioner ECU 10 previously stores a control program for air conditioning control and anti-fog control in the vehicle cabin in a ROM, and performs various calculations and processes based on the control program. The door ECU 30 stores a control program for the door in the ROM in advance, and performs processing based on the control program.
[0019]
The air conditioner ECU 10 is connected to an inside air temperature sensor 11, an outside air sensor 12, a solar radiation sensor 13, a water temperature sensor 14, an evaporator temperature sensor 15, a humidity sensor 16, a vehicle speed sensor 17, and a battery voltage sensor 18. The air conditioner ECU 10 executes control based on input values of these sensors.
[0020]
The inside air sensor 11 detects the inside air temperature and generates an inside air temperature signal Tr corresponding to the detected temperature. The outside air sensor 12 detects an outside air temperature and generates an outside air temperature signal Tam corresponding to the detected temperature. The solar radiation sensor 13 detects the amount of solar radiation incident on the vehicle interior, and generates a solar radiation signal Ts corresponding to the detected amount of solar radiation. The water temperature sensor 14 detects the temperature of the hot water circulating through a heating heat exchanger (not shown) and generates a water temperature signal Tw corresponding to the detected water temperature. The evaporator temperature sensor 15 detects the temperature of the blown air from an evaporator (not shown) and generates an evaporator temperature signal Te corresponding to the detected temperature. The humidity sensor 16 is a humidity detecting means for detecting the humidity in the vehicle compartment. For example, the humidity sensor 16 is installed near the instrument panel in front of the driver's seat in the vehicle compartment, and outputs a humidity signal RH corresponding to the relative humidity in the vehicle compartment. appear. The vehicle speed sensor 17 generates a vehicle speed signal V according to the vehicle traveling speed. Then, the battery voltage sensor 18 generates a charging voltage signal BV of the battery B.
[0021]
Further, an electric heating element 19 made of a transparent conductive thin film and serving as an icing / thawing / anti-fog means for the front window glass W is fixed to the front window glass W, and the electric heating element 19 is energized by the air conditioner ECU 10. It is controlled intermittently.
[0022]
An operating member (not shown) for occupant operation is disposed in the passenger compartment, and a heating element setting section 20 for setting use or non-use of the electric heating element 19 as a function of preventing the vehicle window glass from icing and melting. Is provided. A setting signal from the heating element setting unit 20 is input to the air conditioner ECU 10.
[0023]
On the other hand, the first door unlock signal from the door ECU 30 is transmitted from the circuit of the door lock 33 to the air conditioner ECU 10 by a wire harness. When the receiving unit 31 of the door ECU 30 receives the second door unlocking signal from the remote control key 32, it transmits the first door unlocking signal to the air conditioner ECU 10 and activates the door lock 33 by the first door unlocking signal. It is configured to be unlocked. The remote control key 32 is a well-known keyless entry system that opens and closes the door lock 33 by occupant remote control. The keyless entry system is a system for controlling opening / closing of a door of a vehicle, and includes a receiver 31 (keyless entry receiver 31) mounted on the vehicle side and a keyless entry transmitter built in a remote control key 32 carried by the driver. Consists of
[0024]
Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an outline of a control program executed by the air conditioner ECU 10 of the first embodiment.
[0025]
First, in step S100, it is determined whether the setting of the heating element setting section 20 is turned on. When the setting of the heating element setting section 20 is on, the process proceeds to step S110, and the setting of the heating element setting section 20 is turned off. If so, the process is repeated until the switch is turned on. By doing so, it is possible to set whether or not the occupant can use the icing / thawing / anti-fog function.
[0026]
Next, in step S110, it is determined whether or not the first door unlocking signal is on. If the first door unlocking signal is on, the process proceeds to step S120. repeat. The first door unlock signal allows the driver to confirm the occupant's intention to ride.
[0027]
Next, in step S120, input values from the above-described sensors are read and stored in a predetermined storage area.
[0028]
Subsequently, in step S130, the icing of the front window glass W is determined. For the icing of the front window glass W, the temperature A of the front window glass W is calculated (estimated) from the outside air temperature, and when the temperature A is lower than a predetermined temperature α (α is, for example, about 0 ° C.), the front window glass W It is determined that there is icing, and the process proceeds to step S150. If the temperature A is higher than the predetermined temperature α, the process proceeds to step S140 to determine whether the front window glass W is fogged.
[0029]
Next, in step S140, the dew point temperature near the front window glass W is calculated, and the temperature B obtained by subtracting the dew point temperature from the temperature of the front window glass W calculated (estimated) in step S130 is a predetermined temperature β (the temperature of β It is determined whether the range is, for example, about 3 ° C.). When the temperature B is within the temperature β, it is determined that the conditions are such that the front window glass W is fogged, and the process proceeds to step S150. When the temperature B is higher than the temperature β, it is determined that the front window glass W is not fogged. To step S160.
[0030]
Subsequently, in step S150, energization of the electric heating element 19 is started, and the process returns to step S120.
[0031]
Here, the relative humidity near the inner surface of the front window glass W can be calculated from the average humidity in the vehicle cabin detected by the humidity sensor 16 and the temperature of the front window glass W. In addition, a dedicated temperature sensor may be provided for detecting the temperature of the front window glass W. However, in the first embodiment, the inside air sensor 11 detects the information that affects the temperature of the front window glass W. The temperature of the front window glass W is determined by input from sensors such as the temperature Tr, the outside temperature Tam detected by the outside air sensor 12, the insolation Ts detected by the insolation sensor 13, and the vehicle speed V detected by the vehicle speed sensor 17. I try to estimate.
[0032]
Next, in step S160, the power supply to the electric heating element 19 is stopped until the condition that fogging or icing of the front window glass W occurs is reached, and this stopped power supply is maintained until the next condition is satisfied. .
[0033]
Next, the operation and effect of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are characteristic diagrams showing the prior art by a dashed line, the first embodiment of the present invention by a solid line, and a time series of a start position of current supply to the electric heating element 19.
[0034]
The horizontal axes of FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c are time axes, the vertical axis of FIG. 3a shows ON and OFF of energization to the electric heating element 19, and the vertical axis of FIG. FIG. 3C shows the relative humidity near the inner surface of the front window glass W. The vertical axis in FIG. 3b indicates that the temperature inside the glass increases as going upward, and decreases as going downward. The vertical axis in FIG. 3c indicates that the relative temperature near the inner surface of the glass increases as going upward, and decreases as going downward.
[0035]
FIG. 3a shows the unlocking of the door, the occupant riding, and the engine start in time series, respectively, in order to compare the start time of energization to the electric heating element 19 of the front window glass W with the prior art and the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. The effect of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3B and 3C based on the time at which energization of the electric heating element 19 is started.
[0036]
FIG. 3B shows that the temperature of the front window glass W gradually increases when the electric heating element 19 of the front window glass W is energized. In the first embodiment of the present invention, energization of the electric heating element 19 is started after receiving the first door unlocking signal, so that energization of the electric heating element 19 is started after the engine of the prior art is started. The inner surface temperature of the front window glass W can reach the icing and melting line earlier than in the case.
[0037]
FIG. 3C shows that the relative humidity of the inner surface of the front window glass W decreases when the electric heating element 19 of the front window glass W is energized. As described with reference to FIG. 3B, in the present invention, the temperature of the front window glass W rises faster than in the related art, and the relative humidity near the front window glass W also decreases quickly, so that the inside of the front window glass W becomes cloudy. Can be suppressed.
[0038]
As described above, the time until the visibility of the front window glass W of the vehicle becomes good can be shortened. Therefore, even if the front window glass W becomes cloudy, icing or snow accumulates, the front window glass W is shorter than before. Visibility can be improved.
[0039]
(2nd Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, it is determined that the front window glass W is cloudy and icing, and when it is determined that there is clouding and icing, a voltage is applied to the electric heating element 19 until it is determined that it is cloudy and there is no icing. did. In the second embodiment, it is determined whether the front window glass W is cloudy, icing or snowing, and when the battery voltage signal BV is lower than a predetermined voltage, the energization to the electric heating element 19 may be on / off duty controlled. .
[0040]
Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of a control program executed by the air conditioner ECU 10. Note that steps S100 to S140 in the flowchart are the same as those in the first embodiment. For this reason, the operation of the second embodiment will be described for steps S150 to S170.
[0041]
If it is determined in step S130 that there is icing on the front window glass W, or if it is determined in step S140 that the front window glass W is cloudy, the process proceeds to step S150.
[0042]
In step S150, it is checked whether the battery voltage signal BV obtained from the battery voltage sensor 18 is lower than a predetermined voltage (for example, about 11V).
[0043]
When the battery voltage signal BV is lower than the predetermined voltage, the process proceeds to step S160, and on / off control for turning on the power to the electric heating element 19 for a predetermined time and off for a predetermined time is executed. When the battery voltage signal BV is higher than the predetermined voltage, the power supply to the electric heating element 19 is started as in the first embodiment.
[0044]
As described above, the energizing time to the electric heating element 19 is controlled by the value of the battery voltage signal BV, and the energizing time to the electric heating element 19 is shortened when the voltage of the battery B is low. As a result, the charging voltage of the battery B is prevented from extremely dropping. When the value of the battery voltage signal BV becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage (for example, about 10 V) lower than the voltage of step S150, the electric heating element energization control device of the front window glass W stops the icing / thawing / anti-fog function. In this way, a charging voltage for starting the engine of the battery B can be secured.
[0045]
(Third embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the occupant's willingness to ride is determined by inputting the first door unlock signal from the door lock 33. As shown in FIG. 5, in the third embodiment, the engine ECU 37 is provided with a receiving section 38 for receiving a transmission signal from a remote control starter 39 (hereinafter, referred to as an engine starter 39). When a signal is input, the engine is started and an engine start signal is input to the air conditioner ECU 10.
[0046]
Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, an engine start signal from the engine starter 39 is used as an occupant riding intention. That is, in the flowcharts of the first and second embodiments, an engine start signal is used instead of the first door unlock signal of step S110. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S120 in response to the input of the engine start signal. Further, in step S110, when either one of the first door unlocking signal and the engine start signal is input, the condition may be satisfied and the process may proceed to step S120.
[0047]
(Other embodiments)
{Circle around (1)} In the first and second embodiments, it is determined that the occupant has the will to ride when the door lock 33 of the vehicle is unlocked. In the present embodiment, the vehicle key is provided with a pre-heat button for the front window glass W, and a reception unit for receiving a transmission signal from the pre-heat button in the air conditioner ECU 10, and energizing the electric heating element 19 when receiving the transmission signal from the pre-heat button. You may make it.
[0048]
(2) In the first and second embodiments, the electric heating element 19 is provided on the front window glass W. However, the electric heating element 19 is provided on the rear window glass, the side window glass, and the door mirror. The control of the third embodiment may be executed.
[0049]
{Circle over (3)} In the first to third embodiments, the fogging and icing of the front window glass W is determined based on the internal temperature Tr, the external temperature Tam, the amount of solar radiation Ts, and the vehicle speed V. When the temperature or the inside temperature Tr is low (for example, about 0 ° C.), the determination may be made based on the outside temperature Tam or the inside temperature Tr. Even if it does in this way, when it is low outside air temperature and low inside air temperature, it is good because there is a high possibility that clouding and icing will occur.
[0050]
{Circle around (4)} In the first and second embodiments, the fogging and icing of the front window glass W is determined based on the internal temperature Tr, the external temperature Tam, the amount of solar radiation Ts, and the vehicle speed V. A window glass temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the glass W may be provided on the front window glass W, and the fogging and icing of the front window glass W may be determined by the window glass temperature sensor.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of first and second embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the air conditioner ECU 10 of FIG.
3 (a) is a characteristic diagram showing a time at which energization of the electric heating element 19 is started, FIG. 3 (b) is a characteristic diagram showing a temperature change of the front window glass W, and FIG. 3 (c) is a relative humidity near the inner surface of the front window glass W FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram showing changes in
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an air conditioner ECU 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic overall configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of a third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
12 ... outside temperature sensor, 19 ... electric heating element, 32 ... remote control key,
33: Lock, 39: Remote starter, W: Front window glass.

Claims (7)

An electric heating element energization control device for a vehicle window glass, which energizes and controls an electric heating element (19) disposed on a vehicle window glass (W),
First determining means (S110) for determining the riding intention of the occupant;
Second determining means (S130, S140) for determining at least one of fogging and icing of the window glass (W),
When the occupant riding intention is determined and at least one of fogging and icing of the window glass (W) is determined, energization to the electric heating element (19) is started. Electric heating element conduction control device. An electric heating element energization control device for a vehicle window glass applied to a vehicle having a lock (33) arranged to be opened and closed by an occupant,
The electric heating element energization control device for a vehicle window glass according to claim 1, wherein the first determination means (S110) determines an occupant's riding intention by unlocking the lock (33). An electric heating element conduction control device for a vehicle window glass applied to a vehicle that opens and closes the lock (33) by remote control of a remote control key (32),
The electric heating element energization control device for a vehicle window glass according to claim 2, wherein the first judging means (S110) judges an occupant's intent to ride based on an unlock signal of the remote control key (32). An electric heating element energization control device for a vehicle window glass applied to a vehicle that starts an engine by remote control of a remote control starter (39),
The vehicle window glass according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first determination unit (S110) determines an occupant's intent to ride based on an engine start signal of the remote control starter (39). Electric heating element conduction control device. The second determining means (S130, S140) determines whether the fogging or icing of the window glass (W) is based on a detection signal from the temperature detecting means (11, 12) having a correlation with the temperature of the window glass (W). The electric heating element energization control device for a vehicle window glass according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one is determined. A humidity detecting means (16) for detecting the humidity in the passenger compartment;
The electric heating element energization control device for a vehicle window glass according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fogging of the window glass (W) is detected by humidity detection means (16). A charging voltage detecting means (13) for detecting a charging voltage of a battery (B) provided in the vehicle;
The vehicle window glass according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when the charging voltage of the battery (B) is lower than a predetermined voltage, the energization time to the electric heating element (19) is reduced. Electric heating element energization control device.

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