JP2004268848A - Air-conditioning control method of air-conditioner for seat - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air-conditioner and an air-conditioning method for a seat capable of preferably heating a seat surface without feeding cooled air in an air passage from a seat surface. <P>SOLUTION: After heaters 14, 15 are heated, first heat exchangers of Peltier modules 32, 42 are heated. Thereafter, air in air passages w1, w2 is fed from contact faces 12a, 13a by fans 30, 40. Therefore, at the time of starting driving (at the time of starting control) the contact faces 12a, 13a are heated by the heaters 14, 15. Also, immediately after starting driving, the cooled air in the air passages w1, w2 is heated by the heaters 14, 15 and the first heat exchangers of the Peltier modules 32, 42, and then fed from the contact faces 12a, 13a by the fans 30, 40. Accordingly, the contact faces 12a, 13a can be preferably heated without feeding the cooled air in the air passages w1, w2 from the contact faces 12a, 13a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an air conditioning control method for a seat air conditioner, and more particularly to an air conditioning control method for a seat air conditioner that heats a seat surface to bring the seat surface to a comfortable temperature.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an example of an air conditioning control method for a seat air conditioner has been known as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. HEI 10-163556. The seat air conditioner includes a seat, a ventilation passage partially disposed in the seat, a fan that sends out gas from a seat surface of the seat through the ventilation passage, and a fan that is disposed in the ventilation passage. A Peltier module capable of heating the gas in the ventilation path. In this seat air conditioner, when heating the seat surface, the Peltier module and the fan are controlled to be turned on. However, the Peltier module is hard to warm up, and as a result, there is a problem that a cold gas is discharged from the seat surface at the time of starting operation (at the time of starting control).
[0003]
As an example of an air conditioning control method for a seat air conditioner that solves this problem, one disclosed in Patent Document 2 is known. This seat air conditioner is provided with a seat, a heater provided in the seat and capable of heating the seat surface, a ventilation path provided in the seat, and sending out gas from the seat surface of the seat via the ventilation path. The air conditioner includes a fan and a Peltier module disposed in the ventilation path and capable of heating gas in the ventilation path. When heating the seat surface, the Peltier module and the fan are turned ON, and the heater is turned ON. As a result, even if the gas to be sent out from the seat surface by the fan is not sufficiently heated by the Peltier module, the gas is heated by the heater and sent out from the seat surface.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-5-277020 (paragraph number "0014", FIG. 1)
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-2002-233431 (paragraph number "0036", FIG. 1)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the air-conditioning control method of the seat air-conditioning apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2, since the heater does not warm instantaneously, at the start of operation (at the start of control), a cold gas is also sent out from the seat surface. There was a problem.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and provides an air conditioning control method for a seat air-conditioning apparatus that can appropriately heat a seat surface without cooling gas in a ventilation path being sent out from the seat surface. It is in.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is provided with a heater provided on a seat and capable of heating a seat surface, a blowing means for sending gas from the seat surface through a ventilation path, and the ventilation path. And a Peltier module that controls a Peltier module that is capable of heating gas in the ventilation path, wherein after heating the heater, the Peltier module is heated, and The gist of the invention is to send out gas by means.
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioning control method for a seat air conditioner according to the first aspect, after performing the heater rapid heating mode for rapidly heating the heater, the method is more gradual than the heater rapid heating mode. A Peltier that performs a heater slow heating mode for heating the heater, performs a Peltier rapid heating mode for rapidly heating the Peltier module after starting the heater slow heating mode, and then heats the Peltier module more slowly than the Peltier rapid heating mode The gist is that a slow heating mode is performed, and after the Peltier slow heating mode is started, gas is sent out by the blowing means.
[0009]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioning control method for a seat air conditioner according to the second aspect, the heater rapid heating mode controls the heater to be ON, and the heater slow heating mode controls the heater. The gist is that ON / OFF control is performed.
[0010]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioning control method for a seat air conditioner according to the second or third aspect, in the Peltier rapid heating mode, the Peltier module is turned on, and the Peltier slow heating is performed. The mode is to perform ON / OFF control of the Peltier module.
[0011]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioning control method for a seat air conditioner according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the air blower is configured to increase the amount of gas to be sent out with time. The gist is to control the means.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the seat 11 includes a seat 12 and a backrest 13. Heaters 14 and 15 are arranged on the side surfaces (hereinafter referred to as contact surfaces 12a and 13a as seat surfaces) in the seating portion 12 and the backrest portion 13 that come into contact with the human body, respectively. The heaters 14 and 15 are arranged so that the contact surfaces 12a and 13a can be heated when the heaters 14 and 15 are heated. Hereinafter, the side surface of the seat 12 opposite to the contact surface 12a is referred to as a gas supply surface 12b, and the side surface of the backrest 13 opposite to the gas supply surface 12b is referred to as a gas supply surface 13b.
[0013]
The seat portion 12 has an in-seat passageway 23 that communicates a plurality of gas delivery holes 21 formed in the contact surface 12a with a gas delivery hole 22 formed in the gas delivery surface 12b. In the backrest 13, a passage 26 in the seat is formed, which communicates a plurality of gas delivery holes 24 formed in the contact surface 13a and a gas delivery hole 25 formed in the gas delivery surface 13b. . The gas inlet 22 is connected to a gas introduction unit 31 that guides gas sent from a fan 30 as a blower.
[0014]
The gas introduction unit 31 includes an introduction part 31a, a gas branch part 31b, an outlet part 31c, and an exhaust part 31d. The introduction part 31a has one end connected to the fan 30 and the other end integrally connected to the gas branch part 31b. A Peltier module 32 is disposed in the gas branch part 31b, and a lead-out part 31c is connected to the gas inlet 22.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 2, the Peltier module 32 includes a first heat exchanger 33, a second heat exchanger 34, and a Peltier element disposed between the first heat exchanger 33 and the second heat exchanger 34. 35.
[0016]
The Peltier module 32 heats or cools the first heat exchanger 33 and the second heat exchanger 34 by flowing a current in the forward direction or flowing a current in the reverse direction to the Peltier element 35. Or so. In the present embodiment, when a positive current is applied to the Peltier element 35, the first heat exchanger 33 is heated and the second heat exchanger 34 is cooled. Further, when a current is applied to the Peltier element 35 in the reverse direction, the first heat exchanger 33 is cooled and the second heat exchanger 34 is heated.
[0017]
In the gas branching section 31b, the Peltier module 32 is arranged so that the gas introduced from the introduction section 31a is branched and sent to the outlet section 31c and the exhaust section 31d.
[0018]
Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 2, a passage from the introduction part 31a to the lead-out part 31c is referred to as a first path r1, and a path from the introduction part 31a to the exhaust part 31d is referred to as a second path r2. The gas passing through the first path r1 can exchange heat with the first heat exchanger 33 of the Peltier module 32. The gas passing through the second path r2 can exchange heat with the second heat exchanger 34 of the Peltier module 32. As shown in FIG. 2, the ventilation passage w1 is configured by the in-seat passage 23 and the first passage r1.
[0019]
Further, a gas introduction unit 41 having the same configuration as the gas introduction unit 31 is connected to the gas inlet hole 25. Further, a Peltier module 42 having the same configuration as that of the Peltier module 32 is provided in the gas introduction unit 41, and a fan 40 as a blower having the same configuration as the fan 30 is connected to the gas introduction unit 41. ing.
[0020]
Note that, as shown in FIG. 3, the members constituting the gas introduction unit 41 and the Peltier module 42 are the same as the members constituting the gas introduction unit 31 and the Peltier module 32. For this reason, the reference numerals of the respective members constituting the gas introduction unit 41 and the Peltier module 42 are changed by changing the tens place of the reference numerals of the respective members constituting the gas introduction unit 31 and the Peltier module 32 to “4”. Detailed description is omitted. Also in the gas introduction unit 41, a passage from the introduction section 41a to the outlet section 41c is referred to as a first path r1, and a path from the introduction section 41a to the exhaust section 41d is referred to as a second path r2. As shown in FIG. 3, an air passage w2 is constituted by the in-seat passage 26 and the first passage r1. The heaters 14 and 15, fans 30 and 40, and Peltier modules 32 and 42 constitute a seat air conditioner 50.
[0021]
Thermistors 51, 52, 53, and 54 as temperature sensors are connected to the heater 14, the heater 15, the first heat exchanger 33 of the Peltier module 32, and the first heat exchanger 43 of the Peltier module 42, respectively. The thermistors 51, 52, 53, and 54 output detection values based on the temperatures of the heater 14, the heater 15, the first heat exchanger 33 of the Peltier module 32, and the first heat exchanger 43 of the Peltier module 42, respectively. Is configured.
[0022]
Next, the electrical configuration of each device provided on the seat 11 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4, the heaters 14, 15, the fans 30, 40, the Peltier elements 35, 45, and the thermistors 51, 52, 53, 54 are connected to an ECU (electronic control unit) 60 for controlling them. ing.
[0023]
The fan 30 includes a first coil 61, a second coil 62, a first transistor 63, a second transistor 64, and a drive circuit 65 controlled by the ECU 60. The first coil 61 is configured such that a PWM-controlled voltage is applied or not applied from the ECU 60 by a switching action in cooperation with the drive circuit 65 and the first transistor 63. The second coil 62 is configured such that a PWM-controlled voltage is applied to or not applied from the ECU 60 by a switching action in cooperation with the drive circuit 65 and the second transistor 64. The blades (not shown) of the fan 30 rotate by the electromagnetic induction of the first coil 61 and the second coil 62.
[0024]
The fan 40 includes a first coil 61, a second coil 62, a first transistor 63, a second transistor 64, a drive circuit 65 in the fan 30, and a first coil 71 and a second coil 72 corresponding to blades (not shown). , A first transistor 73, a second transistor 74, a drive circuit 75, and a blade (not shown). The control of the blades (not shown) of the fan 40 is the same as the control of the blades (not shown) of the fan 30, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0025]
Further, the ECU 60 is connected to the battery B via a relay 81 as an ON / OFF switch. The ECU 60 is connected to a light emitting diode 83 as a pilot lamp, a ground 84, and a volume switch 82 for adjusting the temperature.
[0026]
Next, an air conditioning control method for the seat air conditioner 50 configured as in the present embodiment will be described.
When the relay 81 shown in FIG. 4 is turned on, power is supplied from the battery B to the ECU 60, and the ECU 60 controls the heaters 14 and 15 to be ON (see FIG. 5A). Heated (heater rapid heating mode).
[0027]
Then, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the ECU 60 detects that the temperature of the heaters 14 and 15 has reached Ther (hereinafter, this time is referred to as time point P1) by the thermistors 51 and 52, FIG. As shown in (1), the ECU 60 controls ON / OFF of the heaters 14 and 15 (heater slow heating mode). More specifically, after the time point P1, the ECU 60 turns off the heaters 14 and 15 when the temperatures of the heaters 14 and 15 rise to The, and turns on the heaters 14 and 15 when the temperature falls to Ths (<The). As described above, the ECU 60 maintains the temperature of the heaters 14 and 15 between The and Ths by performing ON / OFF control of the heaters 14 and 15. Note that a voltage of VH is applied to the heaters 14 and 15 at the time of the ON control, and no voltage is applied to the heaters 14 and 15 at the time of the OFF control.
[0028]
The ECU 60 includes a timer (not shown), and the ECU 60 counts the timer at a time point P1. As shown in FIG. 5B, after a lapse of time t1 from the time point P1 (hereinafter, this time is referred to as a time point P2) as shown in FIG. 5B, as shown in FIG. A current flows in the positive direction to 35 and 45. As a result, the first heat exchangers 33 and 43 are rapidly heated by the Peltier elements 35 and 45, respectively (Peltier rapid heating mode).
[0029]
Then, after the time point P3 shown in FIG. 5B, the ECU 60 drives the fans 30, 40 at the voltage VL by PWM control as shown in FIG. 5D. As described above, the ECU 60 drives the fans 30, 40 at the voltage of VL so that the gas in the ventilation passages w1, w2 is sent out from the gas delivery holes 21, 24 in the contact surfaces 12a, 13a.
[0030]
Then, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the ECU 60 detects that the temperature of the first heat exchangers 33, 43 has reached Tpk (hereinafter, this time is referred to as time point P3) by the thermistors 53, 54, As shown in FIG. 5C, the ECU 60 controls ON / OFF of the Peltier elements 35 and 45 (Peltier slow heating mode). More specifically, after the time point P3, the ECU 60 turns off the Peltier elements 35 and 45 when the temperature of the first heat exchangers 33 and 43 rises to Tpe or more, and the temperature falls to Tps (<Tpe). ON control. As described above, the ECU 60 controls the Peltier elements 35 and 45 to be ON / OFF so that the temperature of the first heat exchangers 33 and 43 is temporarily reduced from Tpk to Tps, and then the first heat exchangers 33 and 43 are turned off. The temperature is maintained between Tpe and Tps. Note that a voltage of VP is applied to the Peltier devices 35 and 45 during the ON control, and no voltage is applied to the Peltier devices 35 and 45 during the OFF control.
[0031]
Further, the ECU 60 operates the timer at the time point P3. Then, when the time counted by the timer reaches t2, the voltage applied to the fans 30, 40 is increased by PWM control for each step. There are n steps, where n = 0, 1, 2,..., M (predetermined value ≠ 0). The voltage applied in the first zero step is the same as the voltage applied to the fans 30 and 40 within the time t2 measured by the timer. Further, the time (step time) until the transition to the next step is set to t3 time.
[0032]
That is, as shown in FIG. 5D, after a lapse of time t2 from the time point P3, the ECU 60 increases the voltage supplied to the fans 30 and 40 by Va for each step excluding 0 step by the PWM control. Let it. The voltage Va supplied from the ECU 60 to the fans 30, 40 is increased every time t3. When the voltage supplied from the ECU 60 to the fans 30, 40 reaches VF, the voltage supplied from the ECU 60 to the fans 30, 40 becomes VF. maintain. Note that VL, VF, and Va are each an average voltage value.
[0033]
Further, the ECU 60 measures the elapsed time from the time point P2 with a timer, and after a lapse of time t4 from the time point P2, the ECU 60 controls the heaters 14 and 15 to be OFF, causing only the Peltier elements 35 and 45 to generate heat. The contact surfaces 12a, 13a are heated by the wind from the fans 30, 40.
[0034]
Therefore, according to the air conditioning control method for the seat air conditioner 50 of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the present embodiment, after heating the heaters 14 and 15, the first heat exchangers 33 and 43 of the Peltier modules 32 and 42 are heated, and then the gas in the ventilation passages w1 and w2 is blown by the fans 30 and 40. It was sent out from the contact surfaces 12a and 13a. Therefore, at the start of operation (at the start of control), the contact surfaces 12 a and 13 a are heated by the heaters 14 and 15. Immediately after the start of the operation, the cooled gas in the ventilation passages w1 and w2 is heated by the heaters 14 and 15 and the first heat exchangers 33 and 43, and then from the contact surfaces 12a and 13a by the fans 30 and 40. Will be sent out. Therefore, the contact surfaces 12a and 13a can be suitably heated without the cooled gas in the ventilation passages w1 and w2 being sent out from the contact surfaces 12a and 13a.
[0035]
(2) In the present embodiment, after performing the heater rapid heating mode in which the heaters 14 and 15 are rapidly heated, the heater slow heating mode in which the heaters 14 and 15 are heated more slowly than in the heater rapid heating mode is performed. Then, after the heater slow heating mode is started, a Peltier rapid heating mode for rapidly heating the first heat exchangers 33 and 43 is performed, and then the first heat exchangers 33 and 43 are heated more slowly than in the Peltier rapid heating mode. Peltier slow heating mode was performed. Further, after the start of the Peltier slow heating mode, the gas in the ventilation passages w1 and w2 is sent out from the contact surfaces 12a and 13a by the fans 30 and 40.
[0036]
By the way, in the air-conditioning control method of the seat air-conditioner of Patent Document 2, since the three of the Peltier module, the heater and the fan are simultaneously turned on at the start of operation (at the start of control), the power consumption at the start of operation There was a problem that would increase.
[0037]
However, in the present embodiment, at the start of operation (at the start of control), power (voltage) is not supplied to the Peltier elements 35 and 45 and the fans 30 and 40, and power is supplied only to the heaters 14 and 15. Therefore, power consumption at the start of operation can be suppressed. That is, the burden on the battery B can be reduced.
[0038]
(3) In the present embodiment, the heater rapid heating mode is performed by controlling the heaters 14 and 15 to be on, and the heater slow heating mode is performed by controlling the heaters 14 and 15 to be on and off. Therefore, there is no need to change the voltage supplied from the ECU 60 to the heaters 14 and 15.
[0039]
(4) In the present embodiment, the Peltier rapid heating mode is performed by controlling the Peltier devices 35 and 45 to be ON, and the Peltier slow heating mode is performed by controlling the Peltier devices 35 and 45 to be ON and OFF. Therefore, there is no need to change the voltage supplied from the ECU 60 to the Peltier elements 35 and 45.
[0040]
(5) In the present embodiment, the amount of gas sent out by the fans 30, 40 is increased stepwise (over time).
For example, if the amount of gas sent out by the fans 30 and 40 is maximized from the beginning (the voltage supplied from the ECU 60 to the fans 30 and 40 is VF), the first heat exchange of the Peltier modules 32 and 42 is performed by the gas sent out in large amounts. The bodies 33 and 43 are rapidly cooled. Then, it is conceivable that the gas sent out from the contact surfaces 12a and 13a via the ventilation passages w1 and w2 is sent out in a state where the gas is hardly heated.
[0041]
However, in the present embodiment, the amount of gas sent out by the fans 30 and 40 is increased in a stepwise manner, so that the temperature of the first heat exchangers 33 and 43 is prevented from sharply dropping, and cold gas is sent out from the contact surfaces 12a and 13a. Never be.
(Other embodiments)
The above embodiment may be embodied by being changed to another embodiment as described below.
[0042]
-In the said embodiment, the heater 14 and the heater 15, the fan 30 and the fan 40, and the Peltier module 32 and the Peltier module 42 were controlled in a non-independent state. That is, the control of the seating portion 12 and the control of the backrest portion 13 are performed in a non-independent state. The present invention is not limited to this, and the control of the seating portion 12 and the control of the backrest portion 13 may be performed independently. With this control, the seating portion 12 side and the backrest portion 13 side can each be controlled to an appropriate temperature, so that the contact surface 12a and the contact surface 13a can be heated in even better conditions.
[0043]
In the above-described embodiment, the fans 30 and 40 are driven such that the amount of gas to be sent out is increased stepwise after the elapse of the time t2 from the time point P3. Instead, the voltage value of VF may be supplied to the fans 30 and 40 at a stretch after the time t2 has elapsed from the time point P3.
[0044]
-In the said embodiment, the heater slow heating mode was performed by controlling ON / OFF of the heaters 14 and 15. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The voltage supplied from the ECU 60 to the heaters 14 and 15 is adjusted using a voltage regulator, and as a result, the temperature of the heaters 14 and 15 is maintained between The and Ths. A slow heating mode may be performed.
[0045]
In the above-described embodiment, the Peltier slow heating mode is performed by controlling ON / OFF of the Peltier elements 35 and 45. Not limited to this, the voltage supplied from the ECU 60 to the Peltier elements 35, 45 is adjusted using a voltage regulator, and as a result, the temperature of the first heat exchangers 33, 43 is maintained between Tpe and Tps. Thus, the Peltier slow heating mode may be performed.
[0046]
In the above embodiment, after performing the heater rapid heating mode in which the heaters 14 and 15 are rapidly heated, the heater slow heating mode in which the heaters 14 and 15 are heated more gently than in the heater rapid heating mode is performed. Then, after the heater slow heating mode is started, a Peltier rapid heating mode for rapidly heating the first heat exchangers 33 and 43 of the Peltier modules 32 and 42 is performed, and then the first heat exchange is performed more slowly than in the Peltier rapid heating mode. The Peltier slow heating mode for heating the bodies 33 and 43 was performed. Further, after the start of the Peltier slow heating mode, the gas is sent out by the fans 30, 40. However, the present invention is not limited to this. After heating the heaters 14 and 15, the first heat exchangers 33 and 43 of the Peltier modules 32 and 42 are heated, and then the gas is sent out by the fans 30 and 40. 50 air conditioning controls may be performed.
[0047]
Next, technical ideas that can be grasped from the above embodiment and other embodiments will be additionally described below.
(A) the seat includes a seating portion and a backrest portion, and the seating portion and the backrest portion each include a heater, a ventilation path, a blowing unit, and a Peltier module; The air conditioner for a seat according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the blower, the Peltier module, and the heater, the blower, and the Peltier module on the backrest side are independently controlled. Air conditioning control method for the device.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the seat surface can be suitably heated without the cooled gas in the ventilation passage being sent out from the seat surface.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a seat and a seat air conditioner according to the embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing an electrical configuration of the seat air conditioner.
FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship between time and voltage in a heater during control. (B) is an explanatory view showing the relationship between time and temperature in the heater and the first heat exchanger during control. (C) is an explanatory view showing the relationship between time and voltage in the Peltier device. (D) is an explanatory view showing the relationship between time and voltage in the fan.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 ... seat, 12 ... seat part, 13 ... back part,
12a, 13a: contact surface as a seat surface; 14, 15, ... heater;
30, 40 ... fans as blowing means, 32, 42 ... Peltier modules,
50: air conditioner for seat, w1, w2: ventilation path.

Claims (5)

A heater provided on the seat and capable of heating the seat surface;
Blowing means for sending out gas from the seat surface through a ventilation path,
An air conditioning control method for a seat air conditioner that controls a Peltier module that is provided in the ventilation path and can heat gas in the ventilation path,
An air conditioning control method for a seat air conditioner, comprising: heating the Peltier module after heating the heater, and then sending out gas by the blowing means. After performing a heater rapid heating mode to rapidly heat the heater, perform a heater slow heating mode to heat the heater more gently than the heater rapid heating mode,
After starting the heater slow heating mode, perform a Peltier rapid heating mode for rapidly heating the Peltier module, and then perform a Peltier slow heating mode for heating the Peltier module more slowly than the Peltier rapid heating mode,
The air conditioning control method for a seat air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein after the start of the Peltier slow heating mode, the gas is sent out by the blowing means. The air conditioning control method for a seat air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the heater rapid heating mode is to control the heater to be ON, and the heater slow heating mode is to control the heater to be ON / OFF. 4. The seat air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the Peltier rapid heating mode is to control the Peltier module to be ON, and the Peltier slow heating mode is to control ON / OFF of the Peltier module. 5. Air conditioning control method. The air conditioning control method for a seat air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the air blowing means is controlled so as to increase the amount of gas to be sent out as time passes.

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