JP2007237999A - Seat air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a seat air conditioner adaptable to shapes, service statuses or the like of various kinds of seats. <P>SOLUTION: The seat air-conditioner comprises a main module 24 having a first casing 37, a blowing means 38 for generating an air flow, main module inlets 44, 45 and a main module outlet 47 for feeding air outside, an air volume changing module 25 having a second casing 55, a blowing module inlet 58 connected to the main module outlet 47 to suck air, a seat cushion side outlet 59 for guiding air to a seat cushion 21, a seatback side outlet 60 for guiding air to a seatback 22, a seat cushion side outlet 59 or an air volume changing means 56 for changing the distribution of an air volume fed from the seatback side outlet 60. The main module 24 and the air volume changing module 25 are separated from each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a seat air conditioner that adjusts the temperature of a seat by supplying cold air or warm air to the seat in a vehicle.

  As one of the devices for improving the environment in the passenger compartment, a system has been proposed in which cold air or hot air is supplied to a seat on which an occupant is seated so that the temperature of the seat is adjusted to an appropriate temperature similar to the air in the passenger compartment. .

  In the general structure of such a system, cool air or warm air is sent to a seat cushion disposed on the seat surface of the occupant and a seat back disposed on the back surface. It is necessary to appropriately set the air volume distribution according to the shape, size, etc. of the sheet.

As a conventional technology aimed at improving the distribution of airflow between the seat cushion and the seat back, a blowing part is provided on the seat cushion and the seat back so that direct air is sent to the seat cushion blowing part compared to the seat back. The thing which arrange | positions a ventilation blower below the ventilation unit is disclosed (refer patent document 1).
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-33916

  The shapes of seats in today's automobiles are diverse, and in addition to the usual shapes, there are many forms such as bucket seats and bench seats. As described above, the shape and size of the seat of an automobile vary depending on the vehicle type. When installing a seat air conditioner, in order to obtain an optimal air volume distribution to the seat cushion and the seat back, the seat or the vehicle type is different. In addition, it was necessary to design and manufacture a seat air conditioner. This has been one of the factors that increase the production cost of the seat air conditioner.

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the air distribution amount on the seat cushion side can be easily increased. However, depending on the shape and usage of the seat, it is necessary to send a large amount of air to the seat back side. In some cases, such a case cannot be solved by the technique as described in Patent Document 1.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a seat air conditioner that can be adapted to various seat shapes, usage conditions, and the like at a low cost.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a seat air conditioner that adjusts the temperature of a seat by sending air to the seat in a vehicle, and generates an air flow in the first casing and the first casing. A main module configured to include a blowing means, a main module suction port for taking air into the first casing, and a main module outlet for sending the air inside the first casing to the outside; A second casing, a wind-distribution module suction port connected to the main module outlet and for taking air from the main module into the second casing, and air in the second casing as a seat cushion of the seat Seat cushion side air outlet for guiding the air to the seat back of the seat An air distribution amount change module comprising air distribution amount change means for changing the distribution of the air amount blown from the seat back side air outlet, the seat cushion side air outlet, or the seat back side air outlet. However, the main module and the air distribution amount changing module are configured as separate bodies (claim 1).

  According to the above configuration, since the main module that generates the air flow to the seat and the air distribution amount changing module that changes the air distribution amount to the seat cushion or the seat back are configured separately, the air distribution amount changing module. If only the change is made, it can be adapted to various seat shapes and vehicle types. Further, since the main module on which the air blowing means made of expensive parts such as a sirocco fan and an electric motor is arranged can be standardized and manufactured, the manufacturing cost of the seat air conditioner can be greatly reduced.

  Further, in the configuration according to claim 1, the main module suction port includes a first suction port for taking in air in the HVAC that generates cold air or warm air for air conditioning in the vehicle interior, A suction port switching means for selectively allowing air to be taken into the first casing from the first suction port or the second suction port. It is preferable that heating means for heating the air taken in from the second suction port is further arranged (claim 2).

  According to this configuration, when the seat is cooled, cold air generated by the HVAC is taken in through the first suction port, and when the seat is heated, air in the vehicle compartment is taken in through the second suction port and if necessary. By heating the passenger compartment air by the heating means, comfortable air corresponding to the situation can be sent to the seat. Further, by arranging expensive parts such as a suction port switching unit made of a damper and a heating unit made of a PTC heater in the main module, the cost reduction effect by standardizing the main module is increased.

  In the configuration according to claim 2, it is preferable that the air guided to the first suction port is guided from the downstream side of the means for cooling air and the upstream side of the means for heating air in the HVAC. (Claim 3).

  With this configuration, cold air can be reliably taken into the main module. And the cooling condition of a sheet | seat can be adjusted by adjusting the sending-out amount of cold wind with a ventilation means.

  The structure according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of at least one of the seat cushion or the seat back, based on a detection signal from the temperature sensor, Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a control unit that controls at least one of the suction port switching unit, the heating unit, and the air distribution amount changing unit.

  Thereby, appropriate control according to the temperature of the sheet can be automatically performed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a vehicle seat air conditioning system 1 according to the present invention, which includes an HVAC 2 and a seat air conditioner 3.

  The HVAC 2 is a known device for adjusting the temperature in the passenger compartment 6 and includes a fan 9, an evaporator 10, a heater core 11, and the like. The outside air or the inside air taken in through the intake portion 12 by driving the fan 9 is temperature-controlled (or dehumidified) by cooling by the evaporator 10 and heating by the heater core 11, and the temperature-controlled air is opened to the vehicle compartment 6. The air is selectively blown out from the vent opening 14, the defrost opening 15, or the foot opening 16.

  The seat air conditioner 3 is for adjusting the temperature of the seat 19 on which the occupant is seated. The seat air conditioner 3 selectively takes in the air in the HVAC 2 or the air in the passenger compartment 6, and takes in the taken-in air as necessary. After adjusting the temperature, it is selectively sent to the seat cushion 21 or the seat back 22 of the seat 19. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the seat air conditioner 3 according to the present invention is fixed to the lower surface side of the seat cushion 21 of the seat 19 and includes a main module 24 and an air distribution change module 25.

  The main module 24 selectively takes in air from the inside of the HVAC 2 or the passenger compartment 6 and heats the taken-in air as necessary, and is connected to the inside of the HVAC 2 through a duct 28. In addition, an opening 45 (see FIG. 5) communicating with the interior of the passenger compartment 6 is formed. As shown in FIG. 1, one end of the duct 28 is disposed on the downstream side of the evaporator 10 in the HVAC 2 and the upstream side of the heater core 11, and the seat 19 (seat cushion 21) is displaced back and forth or up and down. Has a bellows portion 30 for dealing with the above.

  The air distribution amount changing module 25 receives air that has passed through the main module 24, and changes the distribution amount of the air to the seat cushion 21 or the seat back 22 in accordance with predetermined control. The upstream opening of the air distribution changing module 25 communicates with the most downstream opening of the main module 24, and the downstream opening of the air distributing changing module 25 is connected to the inside of the seat cushion 21. A duct 31 and a back-side duct 32 that communicates with the interior of the seat back 22 are connected. The back side duct 32 is provided with a bellows portion 34 for responding to the displacement of the seat cushion 21 in the front-rear or up-down direction and the angle change of the seat back 22.

  FIG. 3 schematically shows the internal configuration of the main module 24 and the air distribution amount changing module 25. The main module 24 includes a casing 37, a blower 38, a filter 39, a PTC heater 40, and an intake air switching damper 41. The casing 37 is mainly made of a resin material. A cooling suction port 44 and a heating suction port 45 are formed at the upstream end in the ventilation direction, a scroll portion 46 is formed at the midstream portion, and a blower is formed at the downstream end. An outlet 47 is formed. As described above, the cooling air at the downstream side of the evaporator 10 in the HVAC 2 and the upstream side of the heater core 11 is guided to the cooling inlet 44, and the air in the vehicle compartment 6 is guided to the heating inlet 45. The blower 38 is a sirocco fan that is rotated by an electric blower motor 50 and generates an air flow radially from the center thereof. The blower 38 and the blower motor 50 are installed in the scroll portion 46. The filter 39 is made of a material such as urethane and is used to remove dust contained in the intake air, and is installed in the heating inlet 45. The PTC heater 40 is for heating the air in the passenger compartment 6 sucked from the heating inlet 45. The intake air switching damper 41 is for switching whether air is taken into the unit case 37 from either the cooling inlet 44 or the heating inlet 45, and is driven by an electric actuator 53.

  The air distribution amount changing module 25 includes a casing 55 and an air distribution amount adjusting damper 56. The casing 55 is a cylindrical member made of a resin material, and a suction port 58 is formed at the upstream end in the ventilation direction, and a cushion side air outlet 59 and a back side air outlet 60 are formed at the downstream end. The suction port 58 is connected to the air outlet 47 of the main module 24, and the cushion side air outlet 59 communicates with the inside of the seat cushion 21 of the seat 19 via the cushion side duct 31 (see FIG. 2). The outlet 60 communicates with the inside of the seat back 22 of the seat 19 via the back side duct 32 (see FIG. 2). The air distribution amount adjusting damper 56 changes the air distribution amount of the air sent from the main module 24 to the cushion side air outlet 59 or the back side air outlet 60 by changing the air flow in the casing 55. It is driven by an electric actuator 62. Further, the PTC heater 40, the blower motor 50, the actuator 53 of the intake air switching damper 41, and the actuator 62 of the air distribution adjustment damper 56 are controlled by an ECU 65 configured by cooperation of a computer and predetermined program software. The ECU 65 includes a seating sensor 67 and a cushion temperature sensor 68 installed on the seat cushion 21 of the seat 19, a temperature sensor 69 installed on the seat back 22, and other various information such as a control signal of the HVAC 2 and a predetermined control panel. To the PTC heater 40, the blower motor 50, the actuator 53 of the intake air switching damper 41, and the actuator 62 of the air distribution amount adjusting damper 56 based on information such as an operation signal by the occupant, outside air temperature, passenger compartment temperature, and humidity. Output a control signal. Moreover, you may use an infrared sensor as what detects a sheet | seat surface temperature.

  4 and 5, specific examples of the shape of the main module 24 are shown. 4 is a perspective view seen from the upper surface side (the surface side fixed to the lower surface of the seat cushion 21) of the main module 24, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view seen from the lower surface side. In this shape example, a heating suction port 45 is formed as an opening in the lower surface side portion of the cooling suction port 44 of the casing 37.

  In FIG. 6, the example of a specific shape of the air distribution change module 25 is shown. In this shape example, the suction port 58 is formed in a shape that can be fitted to the air outlet 47 of the main module 24, and the air distribution adjustment damper 56 is installed at the branch point of the cushion side air outlet 59 and the back side air outlet 60. Has been.

  In FIG. 7, the example of control of the seat air conditioner 3 by ECU65 (refer FIG. 3) is shown. In this control, it is first determined whether or not the HVAC is operating (step 101). If it is determined that the HVAC is not operating, the control routine is exited and it is determined that the HVAC is operating. Next, it is determined whether or not an occupant is seated on the seat 19 (step 102). The determination of seating in this step 102 is made based on the signal from the seating sensor 67 (see FIG. 3). If it is determined in step 102 that the seat is not seated, the control routine is exited. If it is determined that the seat is seated, it is then determined whether the seat air conditioning operation is requested. (Step 103).

  If it is determined in step 103 that the seat air conditioning operation is not requested, the control routine is exited. If it is determined that the seat air conditioning is requested, the blower 38 in the main module 24 is turned off. A control signal for driving the blower motor 50 with the maximum generated air volume is output (step 104). Next, after detecting the seat temperature T based on the signals from the temperature sensors 68 and 69 installed on the seat 19 (step 105), it is determined whether the operating HVAC is in the cooling operation (step 106). ).

  If it is determined in step 106 that the cooling operation is being performed, it is then determined whether or not the seat temperature T satisfies Ta <T <Tb (step 107). Ta is set as the lower limit value of the seat temperature at which the occupant feels comfortable at the time of cooling operation, that is, at high temperatures such as summer, and is preferably about 33 ° C. Tb is set as the upper limit value of the seat temperature at which the occupant feels comfortable under the same conditions as Ta, and is preferably approximately 37 ° C.

  If it is determined in step 107 that Ta <T <Tb is satisfied, the control routine is exited. If it is determined that Ta <T <Tb is not satisfied, the generated air volume of the blower 38 is changed. Then, a control signal is output (step 108). Next, it is determined whether or not the sheet temperature T <Ta (step 109). If it is determined that T <Ta is not satisfied, the control routine is exited, and if it is determined that T <Ta. Outputs a control signal to stop the blower 38 (step 110), and then exits from this control routine.

  If it is determined in step 106 that the cooling operation is not being performed, it is then determined whether or not the heating operation is being performed (step 111). If it is determined in step 111 that the heating operation is not being performed, the control routine is exited. If it is determined that the heating operation is being performed, it is then determined whether or not Tc <T <Td is satisfied. (Step 112). Tc is set as the lower limit of the seat temperature at which the passenger feels comfortable during heating operation, that is, at low temperatures such as in winter, and is preferably about 30 ° C. Td is set as the upper limit value of the seat temperature at which the occupant feels comfortable under the same conditions as Tc, and is preferably about 33 ° C.

  If it is determined in step 112 that Tc <T <Td is satisfied, the control routine exits from this control routine. If it is determined that Tc <T <Td is not satisfied, the generated air volume of the blower 38 is changed. Then, a control signal is output (step 113). Next, it is determined whether or not the sheet temperature T> Td (step 114). If it is determined that T> Td is not satisfied, the control routine is exited, and if it is determined that T <Td. Outputs a control signal to stop the blower 38 (step 110), and then exits from this control routine.

  According to the control described above, the seat air conditioning starts when the HVAC is operating, the occupant is seated on the seat 19, and there is a request for the seat air conditioning operation. At the start of operation, the blower 38 for sending air to the seat 19 is operated at the maximum, and during the operation, the detected sheet temperature T is within a set range provided for cooling and heating, respectively. Whether the blower 38 is driven or not is changed or stopped when the seat temperature T falls outside these setting ranges. That is, during cooling, for example, when the sheet temperature T is lower than 33 ° C., it is determined that the sheet is too cold, and the blower 38 is stopped. During heating, for example, when the seat temperature T is higher than 33 ° C., it is determined that the seat is too warm, and the blower 38 is stopped.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the vehicle seat air conditioning system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of installation of a seat air conditioner. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a main module and an air distribution change module. It is an upper surface perspective view which shows the example of a shape of a main module. It is a bottom perspective view showing a shape example of the main module. It is a partially transparent perspective view which shows the example of a shape of the air distribution amount change module. It is a flowchart which shows the example of control of the seat air conditioner by ECU.

Explanation of symbols

1 Vehicle seat air conditioning system 2 HVAC
3 Seat air conditioner 19 Seat 21 Seat cushion 22 Seat back 24 Main module 25 Air distribution change module 38 Blower 39 Filter 40 PTC heater 41 Suction air switching damper 56 Air distribution adjustment damper 53, 62 Actuator 65 ECU
67 Seating sensor 68, 69 Temperature sensor

Claims (4)

In a seat air conditioner that adjusts the temperature of the seat by sending air to the seat in the vehicle,
A first casing; air blowing means for generating an air flow in the first casing; a main module suction port for taking air into the first casing; and sending the air in the first casing to the outside. A main module configured to have a main module outlet for,
A second casing, a wind-distribution module suction port connected to the main module outlet and for taking air from the main module into the second casing, and air in the second casing as a seat cushion of the seat A seat cushion side outlet for guiding the air to the seat back, a seat back side outlet for guiding the air in the second casing to the seat back of the seat, the seat cushion side outlet, or the seat back side outlet An air distribution amount changing module configured to have an air distribution amount changing means for changing the distribution of the air amount, and
The seat air conditioner, wherein the main module and the air distribution change module are configured separately. The main module intake port includes a first intake port for taking in air in the HVAC that generates cold air or warm air for air conditioning in the vehicle interior, and a second intake port for taking in air in the vehicle interior Consists of
In the first casing, suction port switching means for selectively taking in air from the first suction port or the second suction port, and heating the air taken in from the second suction port 2. The seat air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising a heating means for performing the operation.   The seat air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the air guided to the first suction port is guided from a downstream side of the means for cooling air and an upstream side of the means for heating air in the HVAC. A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of at least one of the seat cushion or the seat back;
A control means for controlling at least one of the air blowing means, the suction port switching means, the heating means, and the air distribution amount changing means based on a detection signal from the temperature sensor. Item 4. The seat air conditioner according to Item 2 or 3.

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