JP2005053407A - Aroma generating device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize an aroma generating device for a vehicle capable of obtaining refreshing effect with a plurality of aromas by forcibly deodorizing after emitting aromatic substance. <P>SOLUTION: The aroma generating device for the vehicle has an inside/outside air switching damper 25, the aroma generating device 1, and an aroma emitting control program 13a. The inside/outside air switching damper 25 introduces the outside air into the cabin and ventilates inside the cabin. The aroma generating device 1 emits either one of the deodorant or several kinds of aromatic substance. The aroma emitting control program 13a controls the inside/outside air switching damper 25 so as to emit the deodorant with the aroma generating device 1 before emitting a different aromatic substance when continuously emitting a different aromatic substrate from the aromatic substance previously emitted, and ventilate inside the cabin after the emission. Refreshing effect is obtained with the plurality of aromas thereby. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle scent generator mounted on an automobile, and more particularly, to a control procedure for continuously releasing fragrances having different odors.

  Conventionally, as this type of vehicle scent generating device, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a ventilation means for ventilating the interior of an automobile and an odor that releases any one of several kinds of fragrances in the interior of the automobile If the odor release means and the fragrance different from the previously released fragrance are continuously released by the odor release means, the ventilation means is controlled to ventilate the passenger compartment before releasing the different fragrance. And a control means.

And after releasing one fragrance, it is possible to remove the previously released fragrance by controlling the ventilation means to the maximum air volume and ventilating the passenger compartment. Mixing with different fragrances to be released is prevented (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-283844 A

  However, according to the above-mentioned patent document 1, since it takes a long time to ventilate the fragrance that has been released earlier, the interval until the next different fragrance is released becomes longer. Therefore, it is difficult to exert a refreshing effect by a plurality of scents. In addition, since the ventilation is performed at the maximum air volume in order to complete the ventilation in as short a time as possible, there is a problem that the noise at this time becomes extremely high and the comfort to the passenger is impaired.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle scent generating device that can obtain a refreshing effect by a plurality of scents by forcibly deodorizing after releasing a fragrance. There is.

  In order to achieve the above object, the technical means according to claims 1 to 4 are employed. That is, in the first aspect of the invention, ventilation means (25, 40) for introducing outside air into the vehicle interior and ventilating the vehicle interior, and any one of deodorant and several kinds of fragrances are released into the vehicle interior. When the odor release means (1) and the fragrance different from the previously released fragrance are continuously released by the odor release means (1), before releasing the different fragrance, the odor release means ( The deodorizer is released by 1), and after the release, the vehicle has a control means (13a) for controlling the ventilation means (25, 40) so as to ventilate the vehicle interior.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the deodorant is released before the vehicle interior is ventilated by the ventilation means (25, 40), so that the odor level of the previously released fragrance can be greatly reduced. The processing time for removing the previously released fragrance can be significantly shortened compared to the processing time using only the conventional ventilation means (25, 40).

  Thereby, since the fragrance | flavor released previously is removed reliably, the fragrance | flavor released next and the fragrance | flavor released previously are not mixed. Therefore, since a plurality of scents can be released in a short time, a refreshing effect by the plurality of scents can be obtained.

  Further, in the conventional ventilation means (25, 40), ventilation by the maximum air volume is necessary. However, since this is not necessary, comfort to the passenger due to noise is not impaired. Moreover, since the deodorizer which reduces an odor level has the effect of regaining the odor sense paralyzed by the fragrance | flavor released previously, the odor of the fragrance | flavor released next can be caught sensitively.

  In the invention described in claim 2, the air purifier (3) having the filter means (38) for circulating and purifying and deodorizing the air in the passenger compartment, and any one of the deodorant and several kinds of fragrances in the passenger compartment. When the odor release means (1) for releasing one and the fragrance different from the previously released fragrance are continuously released by the odor release means (1), before releasing the different fragrance, It has a control means (13b) for controlling the air purifier (3) so that the deodorant is released by the odor releasing means (1) and the vehicle interior is purified and deodorized after the release.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, as in the case of claim 1 described above, the processing time for removing the previously released fragrance is longer than the processing time using only the conventional air cleaner (3). Can be greatly shortened. Thereby, since the fragrance | flavor released previously can be removed reliably, the fragrance | flavor released next and the fragrance | flavor released previously are not mixed.

  In the invention according to claim 3, the odor releasing means (1) selects and discharges any one of a deodorant and several kinds of fragrances in a blowing passage (21A) formed in the vehicle air conditioner. It arrange | positions so that it may carry out. According to the third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of scents can be efficiently provided to the passenger compartment, that is, the passenger.

  The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the filter means (38) is a deodorizing filter that adsorbs odors in the air. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reliably deodorize the fragrance and the deodorant released before the odor level is lowered by the deodorant.

  In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis of each said means shows a corresponding relationship with the specific means of embodiment mentioned later.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, the scent generator for vehicles by a 1st embodiment of the present invention is explained based on FIG. 1 and FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a vehicle scent generator 1 that is an odor release means in which the present invention is applied to a vehicle air conditioner 2. FIG. 2 is a scent generator that controls the scent generator 1 for a vehicle. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing of the fragrance discharge | release control program 13a which is a control means in the control apparatus 13.

  The vehicle scent generator 1 of the present embodiment is provided in a vehicle air conditioner 2, and as shown in FIG. 1, first, the vehicle air conditioner 2 is a blow duct that guides blown air into the vehicle interior. 21, a blower 22 for generating air toward the passenger compartment in the blower duct 21, an evaporator 23 by refrigerant evaporation disposed in the blower duct 21, and a heater core 24 that uses engine cooling water as a heat source. The air duct 21 includes unit cases of a blower unit 40 that houses the blower 22, a cooling unit 50 that houses the evaporator 23, and a heater unit 60 that houses the heater core 24.

  The blower unit 40 is provided with an inside / outside air switching damper 25 for selecting whether to take air in the vehicle interior or air outside the vehicle interior. The blower 22 includes a centrifugal fan 22a and a fan motor 22b that rotationally drives the fan 22a, and varies the amount of air blown according to the voltage value applied to the fan motor 22b. When the blower 22 is operated in a state in which the inside / outside air switching damper 25 is switched to the outside air mode for taking in outside air from the passenger compartment, the air in the passenger compartment is exhausted outside the passenger compartment by the amount of the air outside the passenger compartment. The inside / outside air switching damper 25 and the air blowing unit 40 for ventilation are referred to as ventilation means described in claim 1.

  The inside / outside air switching damper 25 is connected to an actuator such as a servo motor (not shown) and is switched to either an outside air mode for taking in outside air from the vehicle interior or an inside air mode for taking in air in the inside of the vehicle by an air conditioner control device 30 described later. It is done.

  The cooling unit 50 is configured by an evaporator 23 and a decompression device (not shown) by refrigerant evaporation in the refrigeration cycle, and cools the air sent from the blower 22 by the evaporator 23. The heater unit 60 adjusts the mixing ratio of the heater core 24 that heats air that passes through the engine coolant as a heat source, the amount of hot air that passes through the heater core 24, and the amount of cold air that passes through the bypass 24a of the heater core 24, and the temperature of the air. And an air mix damper 26 for controlling the above.

  At the downstream end of the heater unit 60, air outlet ducts (defroster duct 27A, The foot duct 28A and the face duct 29A) are provided, and the air-conditioning air is supplied to the vehicle interior by selecting the air outlets 27, 28, 29a, 29b, and 29c by the max cool damper 261 and the mode switching damper 262. . The blower control device 20 receives a signal from the air conditioner control device 30 during operation of the air conditioner and controls the blower 22 to an arbitrary air volume.

  Next, the vehicle scent generating device 1 includes four containers 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D that store three different types of volatile fragrances (for example, lavender, lemon, rose, etc.) and a deodorant, respectively. The occupant is installed in the passenger compartment to select the type of deodorant or fragrance, and the fragrance or extinguisher selected by the selection switches 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D and the selection switches 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D. Electromagnetic valves (supply intermittent means) 12A to 12E which are actuators for intermittently supplying the odorant to the air duct 21 are provided. The containers 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D are connected in parallel by the upstream pipe 31 and the downstream pipe 32, and can communicate with the inside of the air duct 21 through the upstream pipe 31 and the downstream pipe 32. Is provided.

  The upstream pipe 31 has an upstream end (first opening) 31a that opens downstream (downward) from the blower 22, and a downstream end that branches into four and is connected to the respective containers 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D. An electromagnetic valve 12A is provided upstream of the branch point 31A that branches into four. The downstream pipe 32 has an opening extending from the downstream end (second opening) 32a to the three-way branch portion 21A, which is a blowing passage in the face duct 29A reaching the center and the left and right side face outlets 29a, 29b, 29c. The upstream end side is branched into four branches and connected to the respective containers 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D, and electromagnetic valves 12B, 12C, 12D, and 12E are respectively provided on the four branch pipes. Yes.

  In the present embodiment, the upstream pipe 31 and the downstream pipe 32 constitute a scent generating air flow path. Then, the scent generation control device 13 inputs an operation signal from the selection switches 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, and each electromagnetic corresponding to any one of the selection switches 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D in the on state. The valves 12A to 12E are electrically connected so as to control energization. Furthermore, the air conditioner control device 30 is electrically connected to input an air conditioner operation signal from the air conditioner control device 30 and a ventilation operation signal for switching the above-described inside / outside air switching damper 25 to the outside air mode. I am doing so.

  Incidentally, among the four containers 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D, 11D is a deodorant container. When the selection switch 14D is selected and turned on, the solenoid valve 12A and the solenoid valve are connected through the scent generation control device 13. 12E is energized, and the container 11D communicates with the air duct 21. As a result, the deodorant is released to the air duct 21.

  Of the four containers 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D, when the fragrance different from the previously released fragrance is selected from the three fragrances other than the container 11D, the fragrance generation control device 13 is provided. By the scent release control program 13a as the control means, the deodorant in the container 11D is released before releasing the different fragrance, and the ventilation signal is sent to the air conditioner control device 30 so as to ventilate the vehicle interior after the release. To control the release of different fragrances after the passenger compartment is ventilated.

  Here, the operation of the vehicle scent generator 1 according to the present embodiment will be described based on the flowchart of the scent release control program 13a shown in FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 2, when the vehicle air conditioner 2 is operated with the air volume set by the operation signal of the air conditioner control device 30, the control process starts at step 200. In step 210, energization control is performed on each of the solenoid valves 12A to 12E corresponding to any one of the selection switches 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D in the on state.

  For example, if the selection switch 14 </ b> A corresponding to the fragrance A is in the ON state, the solenoid valve 12 </ b> A and the solenoid valve 12 </ b> B are energized for a predetermined time, and the container 11 </ b> A is communicated with the blower duct 21. Thereby, while a deodorizer is discharge | released to the ventilation duct 21, the scent of the fragrance | flavor A is discharge | released by the blowing air in a vehicle interior.

  When a fragrance different from the fragrance A is selected, it is determined in the next step 220 whether or not a fragrance different from the previously released fragrance has been selected. Here, when the same fragrance A as before is released once again, step 210 is executed again. When a fragrance different from the previously released fragrance is selected, the routine proceeds to step 230 and the timer T1 starts counting.

  In step 240, it is determined whether the counted timer has reached a predetermined time T1 (for example, about 1 minute). If the predetermined time T1 is reached, in step 250, the electromagnetic valve 12A and the electromagnetic valve 12E is energized for a predetermined time, and the container 11D communicates with the air duct 21. As a result, the deodorant is released to the blower duct 21 and the deodorant is released into the passenger compartment by the blown air. As a result, the sense of smell that the occupant was first paralyzed by the fragrance A is returned.

  In the next step 260, the timer T2 starts counting. In step 270, it is determined whether or not the counted timer has reached a predetermined time T2 (for example, about 3 minutes). If the predetermined timer T2 has been reached, the ventilation signal is controlled in step 280 by the air conditioner control. Output to device 30. In the air conditioner control device 30, if the mode set on the vehicle air conditioner 2 side is the inside air mode, the inside / outside air switching damper 25 is switched to the outside air mode. As a result, the outside air introduced into the vehicle interior and deodorized is exhausted to the outside for ventilation.

  In step 290, the timer T3 starts counting. In step 300, it is determined whether the counted timer has reached a predetermined time T3 (for example, about 3 minutes). If the predetermined timer T3 has been reached, a ventilation stop signal is sent to the air conditioner in step 310. Output to the control device 30. As a result, the air conditioner control device 30 switches the outside air mode to the inside air mode and the ventilation ends.

  In the present embodiment, the energizing time of each of the solenoid valves 12A to 12E corresponding to any one of the selection switches 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D in the on state is set as the predetermined time. The deodorant release time may vary depending on the air flow set by the vehicle air conditioner 2 and the inside / outside air mode.

  Further, when releasing the fragrance and the deodorant into the air duct 21, the scent generation control device 13 and the blower control device 20 are electrically connected, and a blower drive signal is sent from the scent generation control device 13 to the blower control device. 20 may be input to drive the blower 22. Further, in step 280, the blower 22 may be controlled so as to increase the air flow rate in order to increase the air flow rate when ventilating.

  According to the vehicle scent generator 1 according to the first embodiment described above, when a fragrance different from the previously released fragrance is continuously released by the vehicle scent generator 1, a different fragrance is released. A scent discharge control program 13a for controlling the inside / outside air switching damper 25, which is a ventilation means, to release the deodorant by the vehicle scent generator 1 and ventilate the vehicle interior after the release. By switching the inside / outside air switching damper to the outside air mode and ventilating the vehicle interior, the deodorant is released, so that the odor level of the previously released fragrance can be greatly reduced and the fragrance released earlier The processing time for removing the agent can be significantly shortened compared to the processing time using only conventional ventilation means.

  Thereby, since the fragrance | flavor released previously is removed reliably, the fragrance | flavor released next and the fragrance | flavor released previously are not mixed. Therefore, since a plurality of scents can be released in a short time, a refreshing effect by the plurality of scents can be obtained.

  Further, in the conventional ventilation means, the blower 22 needs to be ventilated with the maximum air volume. However, since this is not necessary, the comfort to the passenger due to noise is not impaired. Moreover, since the deodorizer which reduces an odor level has the effect of regaining the odor sense paralyzed by the fragrance | flavor released previously, the odor of the fragrance | flavor released next can be caught sensitively.

  The vehicle scent generator 1 is disposed in the air duct 21 formed in the vehicle air conditioner 2 so as to select and discharge any one of a deodorant and several kinds of fragrances. A plurality of scents can be efficiently provided to the passenger compartment, that is, to the passenger.

(Second Embodiment)
In the above first embodiment, before releasing a different fragrance, the deodorant in the container 11D is released, and a ventilation signal is output to the air conditioner control device 30 so as to ventilate the vehicle interior after the release, Although it was controlled to release a different fragrance after the interior of the vehicle was ventilated, the present invention is not limited to this, and in addition to ventilating the interior of the vehicle, an air purifier having a filter means for deodorizing the deodorant is used. Control may be performed so that the air in the passenger compartment is purified and deodorized after releasing the odorant.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a vehicle scent generator 1 in which the present invention is applied to a vehicle air conditioner 2 and an air purifier 3. The air purifier 3 includes a suction port 33 that sucks in air in the vehicle interior, a duct 34 that guides the sucked air to the blower outlet 35, a blower 36 that includes a centrifugal fan 36a and a fan motor 36b that rotationally drives the fan 36a, An air purifier control device 37 that controls the blower 36, a filter 38 that is a filter means for purifying and deodorizing air with activated carbon contained in the inside, and a control switch (not shown) that is installed in the passenger compartment and that allows the occupant to select the amount of air flow It consists of driving switches.

  The air cleaner control device 37 is electrically connected to the scent generation control device 13 so as to receive an operation signal of the air cleaner 3. That is, even when an operation switch (not shown) is in a stopped state, when an operation signal from the scent generation control device 13 is input to the air cleaner control device 37, the blower 36 is forced to operate.

  Then, the scent emission control program 13b provided in the scent generation control device 13 releases the deodorant in the container 11D before releasing the different fragrance, and purifies and deodorizes the air in the vehicle interior after the release. Then, an operation signal is output to the air purifier control device 37 to control so as to release a different fragrance after the vehicle interior is purified and deodorized.

  Here, the operation | movement in this case is demonstrated based on the flowchart of the fragrance discharge | release control program 13b shown in FIG. In this case, in the control process (see FIG. 2) of the fragrance release control program 13a of the first embodiment, whether or not the timer counted in step 270 has reached a predetermined time T2 (for example, about 3 minutes). When the predetermined time T2 is reached, the control process of step 280 for outputting the ventilation signal to the air conditioner control device 30 is replaced with step 280a. In this embodiment, the count is performed at step 270. It is determined whether the timer has reached a predetermined time T2 (for example, about 3 minutes). If the predetermined time T2 is reached, an operation signal to the air cleaner 3 is sent to the air cleaner 3 at step 280a. Output to the device 37.

  As a result, the air in the passenger compartment is forcibly purified and deodorized by the filter 38 of the air purifier 3. Then, in step 300, it is determined whether or not the counted timer has reached a predetermined time T3 (for example, about 3 minutes). If the predetermined time T3 has been reached, the air cleaner 3 is reached in step 310a. Is output to the air purifier control device 37. Thereby, the air cleaner 3 stops and purification | cleaning and deodorizing are complete | finished.

  According to the vehicle scent generating apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment described above, as in the first embodiment, the processing time for removing the previously released fragrance is only the processing time for the conventional air purifier 3. Can be significantly reduced. Thereby, since the fragrance | flavor released previously can be removed reliably, the fragrance | flavor released next and the fragrance | flavor released previously are not mixed.

  Further, by using the filter 38 as a deodorizing filter that adsorbs odors in the air, it is possible to reliably deodorize the fragrance and the deodorant released earlier when the odor level is lowered by the deodorant.

(Other embodiments)
In the first embodiment described above, the inside / outside air switching damper 25 of the vehicle air conditioner 2 is switched to the outside air mode to ventilate the air in the vehicle interior. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A drive means for opening and closing the glass may be provided for ventilation.

  In the above embodiment, the fragrance to be released is selected using the selection switches 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the selection switch is operated once, the fragrances A, B, You may set so that C may be switched sequentially. In the present embodiment, three types of fragrances are selected, but this is an example, and three or more fragrances may be used.

  Note that the specific numerical values and the like shown in this embodiment are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the whole structure of the fragrance generator 1 for vehicles in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing of the fragrance discharge | release control program 13a of the control apparatus 13 in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the whole structure of the scent generator 1 for vehicles in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing of the fragrance discharge | release control program 13b of the control apparatus 13 in 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Vehicle scent generator (odor release means)
3 ... Air purifier 13a, 13b ... Scent release control program (control means)
21A ... 3-way branch (outlet passage)
25. Inside / outside air switching damper (ventilation means)
38. Filter (filter means)
40 ... Blower unit (ventilation means)

Claims (4)

Ventilation means (25, 40) for introducing outside air into the passenger compartment and ventilating the passenger compartment;
Odor release means (1) for releasing any one of a deodorant and several kinds of fragrances into the vehicle interior;
In the case where the fragrance different from the previously released fragrance is continuously released by the odor releasing means (1), before the different fragrance is released, the odor releasing means (1) deodorizes the fragrance. And a control means (13a) for controlling the ventilation means (25, 40) so as to ventilate the vehicle interior after the release. An air cleaner (3) having a filter means (38) for circulating and purifying and deodorizing air in the passenger compartment;
Odor release means (1) for releasing any one of a deodorant and several kinds of fragrances into the vehicle interior;
When the fragrance different from the previously released fragrance is continuously released by the odor release means (1), before the different fragrance is released, the odor release means (1) removes the deodorant. And a control means (13b) for controlling the air cleaner (3) so as to purify and deodorize the vehicle interior after the release. The odor releasing means (1) is disposed so as to select and release any one of a deodorant and several kinds of fragrances in a blowing passage (21A) formed in the vehicle air conditioner. The scent generator for vehicles according to claim 1 or 2 characterized by things.
A scent generator for vehicles.   The scent generator for vehicles according to claim 2, wherein said filter means (38) is a deodorizing filter which adsorbs odor in the air.

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