JP2007308096A - Vehicular air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accomplish the air-conditioning state fitted to each user's temperature sense. <P>SOLUTION: Respective temperature sense correlation information of residence area, sex, age and corpulency correlated to the temperature sense of a user as a plurality of individual information are previously memorized. Further, a control offset amount relative to each of a blowing out temperature control amount and an air amount control amount is set in every temperature sense correlation information. A plurality of temperature sense correlation information regarding a driver are read from individual registration information according to driver discrimination information inputted at starting of an engine. A blowing temperature control offset amount and an air amount control amount control offset amount corresponding the respective temperature sense correlation information are selected and a total value of the control offset amounts is calculated. Further, the total value of each control offset amount is added to the respective control amount and correction of the control amount is performed. Air-conditioning is performed based on the corrected control amount and the air-conditioning state fitted to the temperature sense of the user is accomplished. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner that automatically realizes an air conditioning state suitable for a user's sense of warmth.

Conventionally, one blower voltage control characteristic pattern corresponding to the air flow rate is prepared for each of a plurality of conditions representing the user's preference, and is set for each user based on the plurality of control characteristic patterns. There is one that selects one control characteristic pattern corresponding to each condition and performs air volume control based on the control characteristic pattern (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-205724 A

  In the above prior art, in accordance with the conditions, the user's preference or the like is determined in order to determine conformity / nonconformity and finally one control pattern is selected. Preference has become limited, and therefore it has been difficult to obtain an air-conditioning state with a control characteristic that matches the user's preference for each user.

  An object of this invention is to implement | achieve the air-conditioning state suitable for the warm feeling for every user in view of the said point.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a vehicle air conditioner that controls an air conditioning state in a vehicle interior based on an air conditioning control amount set in accordance with an environmental condition outside and inside the vehicle interior. Among the personal attribute information, the user information input means for inputting the warmth correlation information correlated with the warmth of the user in the passenger compartment, and the blowout temperature control amount of the air conditioning control amount according to the warmth correlation information An offset amount calculating means for calculating a control offset amount and a correcting means for correcting the blowout temperature control amount by adding the calculated control offset amount to the blowout temperature control amount are provided.

  As a result, the air conditioning control amount can be corrected with a correction amount corresponding to the user's individual warmth correlation information, and even if the user changes, the temperature control suitable for the user's warmth can be performed for each user. It can be carried out.

  Further, by calculating the air flow control offset amount relative to the air flow control amount among the air conditioning control amounts, and adding this air flow control offset amount to the air flow control amount, the temperature control suitable for the user's sense of temperature and Air volume control can be performed.

  In addition, among the individual attribute information for identifying the individual, a plurality of warm feeling correlation information correlated with the warm feeling of the user in the passenger compartment is input, and a control offset corresponding to each of the multiple warm feeling correlation information A total value of the amounts is calculated, and the air conditioning control amount is corrected by the total value.

  As a result, it is possible to finely set the sensation of each individual by a plurality of pieces of warmth correlation information, and the air conditioning control amount is corrected by the total value of the control offset amounts calculated corresponding to the plurality of pieces of warmth correlation information. Thus, it is possible to perform air conditioning control suitable for the individual's warm feeling.

  The air conditioning control amount is at least one of a blowing temperature control amount for controlling the blowing temperature of the wind blown into the vehicle interior and an air flow control amount for controlling the air flow amount of the wind blown into the vehicle interior. Can do.

  Moreover, it is possible to use at least one of the user's age data, sex data, residential area data, and obesity level data as the warmth correlation information correlated with the warmth of the individual.

  The correction means selects the control offset amount from a plurality of values set in advance according to the thermal sense correlation information, and the total value of each offset amount selected according to the different thermal sense correlation information for the same air conditioning control amount And the same air conditioning control amount can be corrected by the total value.

  Further, the warmth correlation information is stored as personal registration information for each user, and an identification signal for identifying the user is input, and the stored usage corresponding to the user corresponding to this identification signal is stored. By selecting the user's personal registration information, it is possible to easily identify the individual for each user and select the user's warmth correlation information, such as switch operations for changing settings for each user. Can be reduced.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a vehicle air conditioner according to the present embodiment. This vehicle air conditioner includes an air conditioning unit 10, an air conditioning operation panel 20, and an air conditioner ECU 30, and automatically controls the operation of the air conditioning control device in the air conditioner unit 10 based on the control characteristics stored in the air conditioner ECU 30, The air temperature, the air flow rate, and the air blowing mode are automatically controlled, and the stored control characteristics are corrected, that is, learned based on the switch operation of the air conditioning operation panel 20 by the occupant who is the user.

  The air conditioning unit 10 is housed inside an instrument panel (not shown) in front of the vehicle. This air conditioning unit 10 is well known and will be briefly described below. The air conditioning unit 10 includes a blower duct 11 for sending conditioned air into the passenger compartment, and a blower 12 is disposed upstream of the blower duct 11. An inside / outside air switching box (not shown) is provided on the upstream side of the blower 12. The inside / outside air switching box is used as air to be introduced into the air conditioning unit 10 by the blower 12. Adjust.

  An evaporator 13 and a heater core 14 are provided on the downstream side of the blower 12. The evaporator 13 is a heat exchanger for cooling, and is combined with a compressor or the like driven by a vehicle engine (not shown) to form a refrigeration cycle. The low-pressure refrigerant in the evaporator 13 absorbs heat from the air and evaporates. Cool down. The heater core 14 is a heat exchanger for heating, and coolant (warm water) of a vehicle engine (not shown) circulates inside, and heats the air using the engine coolant as a heat source.

  On the upstream side of the heater core 14, an air mix door 15 as a blown air temperature adjusting means is rotatably provided, and the opening degree of the air mix door 15 is adjusted by being driven by an actuator 15a. As a result, the ratio of the air passing through the heater core 14 (hot air) and the ratio of air bypassing the heater core 14 (cold air) is adjusted, and the temperature of the air blown into the vehicle interior is adjusted.

  An air outlet switching door 18 that opens and closes a face (FACE) air outlet 16 and a foot (FOOT) air outlet 17 driven by an actuator 18 a is provided at the most downstream side of the air conditioning unit 10. Further, a defroster (DEF) outlet and a defroster door for opening and closing the defroster outlet are also provided.

  Each of these doors is set to various blow modes, that is, a face mode, a bi-level mode, a foot mode, a foot differential mode, a defroster mode, and the like by opening and closing each blow outlet. And the temperature-controlled air is blown out into the passenger compartment from the blow-out opening that opens in accordance with each blowing mode.

  The air conditioner ECU 30 includes a microcomputer as control means and its peripheral devices. The amount of blown air is controlled by adjusting the motor speed of the blower 12 driven via a drive circuit (not shown) based on an output signal from the air conditioner ECU 30. The other actuators 15a and 18a are also controlled based on an output signal from the air conditioner ECU 30.

  Various operation signals are input to the air conditioner ECU 30 from an air conditioning operation panel 20 installed on an instrument panel (not shown). That is, the air conditioning operation panel 20 includes an auto switch 21 for setting the air conditioner to an automatic control state, an off switch 22 for stopping the blower 12, and the air flow rate of the blower 12 manually. Blowing amount switch 23 for switching setting, blowing mode switching switch 24 for manually switching blowing mode, temperature setting switch 25 for setting occupant's favorite temperature Tset, and fogging of the front window are prevented. For example, a differential switch 26 for setting a defroster mode is provided, and these operation signals are input to the air conditioner ECU 30.

  The air conditioner ECU 30 receives signals from various sensors that detect environmental conditions (air conditioning heat load) that affect the air conditioning state in the passenger compartment. Specifically, the inside air temperature sensor 31 that detects the air temperature (inside air temperature) Tr in the vehicle interior, the outside air temperature sensor 32 that detects the air temperature (outside air temperature) Tam outside the vehicle interior, and the amount of solar radiation Ts incident on the vehicle interior. Each signal from the solar radiation sensor 33 to detect, the evaporator temperature sensor 34 to detect the evaporator temperature (specifically, the evaporator blown air temperature) Te, the water temperature sensor 35 to detect the engine water temperature Tw circulating through the heater core 14, etc. These are input to the air conditioner ECU 30, and these are A / D converted and read by the air conditioner ECU 30.

  Further, the personal information of the occupant is input to the air conditioner ECU 30 from the personal information ECU 36. That is, the personal information ECU 36 receives personal information from the door lock release key 37 in which personal identification (ID) information is stored, and an image of the occupant's face from the camera 38 disposed in front of the passenger compartment. . Then, the personal information ECU performs a process of identifying an individual from the face image from the camera 38. The personal information regarding the occupant obtained by the personal information ECU 36 is output to the air conditioner ECU 30 as personal ID information.

  Next, the control contents of the air conditioner ECU 30 will be described. First, automatic air conditioning control in the present embodiment will be described. As described above, the air conditioner ECU 30 displays the set temperature and various sensor signals set in the state where the AUTO switch 21 is on (automatic air conditioning mode). Accordingly, the operation of each air conditioning control device is automatically controlled by the air conditioning control amount based on the control characteristics relating to the blown air temperature, the blowing amount, and the blowing mode stored in the air conditioner ECU 30. Thereby, it controls so that blowing air temperature, blast volume, and blowing mode become a target value, respectively.

  In addition, each control amount regarding this blowing air temperature, ventilation volume, and blowing mode is set so that it may become a control characteristic according to the environmental conditions inside and outside a vehicle interior. That is, the blown air temperature control amount fT is set in advance by a test so as to be a blown air temperature desirable for a standard user with respect to the set temperature Tset, the inside air temperature Tr, the outside air temperature Tam, and the solar radiation amount Ts. . The standard user is, for example, a 40-year-old male with standard obesity living in Honshu.

  That is, the blown air temperature control amount fT (° C.) is expressed as a four-dimensional function value fT (Tset, Tr, Tam, Ts) regarding the set temperature Tset, the inside air temperature Tr, the outside air temperature Tam, and the solar radiation amount Ts. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of (Tr, Tam, Ts) three-dimensional control characteristic maps are prepared for each parameter Tset and stored in the air conditioner ECU 30 as the blown air temperature control amount fT.

  Similarly, the air flow control amount (blower level) fB (level), which is a control characteristic of the air flow, is an air flow desirable for a standard user with respect to the set temperature Tset, the inside air temperature Tr, the outside air temperature Tam, and the solar radiation amount Ts. It is set by a test in advance so that As for the air flow control amount fB, a plurality of (Tr, Tam, Ts) three-dimensional control characteristic maps are prepared for each parameter Tset and stored in the air conditioner ECU 30.

  Therefore, the air conditioner ECU 30 reads the detection signals Tr, Tam, Ts and the setting signal Tset from various sensors, and in accordance with these signals, the blown air from the stored control characteristic map of the blowing temperature and the control characteristic map of the air volume. A temperature control amount fT (Tset, Tr, Tam, Ts) and an air flow control amount fB (Tset, Tr, Tam, Ts) are calculated. Then, based on the blown air temperature control amount fT (° C.) and the air flow control amount fB (level), the conditioned air is blown into the vehicle interior at a blown air temperature and air volume desirable for a standard user.

  Next, an air conditioning control amount correction process in the present embodiment will be described. FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts showing an air conditioning control amount correction processing routine executed by the air conditioner ECU 30. This correction processing routine is started when a vehicle engine (not shown) is started, and is repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle.

  First, in step S100, personal ID information is read from the personal information ECU 36. That is, this identifies the driver seated in the driver's seat. Next, in step S110, driver information that is personal registration information corresponding to personal ID information (for example, Mr. A) from a plurality of personal registration information registered in the air conditioner ECU 30 (resident in Hokkaido, male, 45 years old, High obesity) is selected.

  This personal registration information is data such as residential area, gender, age, obesity level, etc. as warmth correlation information that correlates with the warmth of the user. When the data is input to the air conditioning system, it is registered in the air conditioner ECU 30 by an operation performed on a navigation screen (not shown).

  Here, the residential areas are classified and stored in the Hokkaido area as a cold area, the Okinawa area as an extremely hot area, and other Honshu areas. In addition, the age is classified and stored in 29 years old or less, 60 years old or older, and an intermediate age group.

  Further, the obesity level is, for example, a BMI value (= body weight / (height × height)), and this BMI value is directly input, or the BMI value is calculated by the air conditioner ECU 30 from the input values of weight and height. Thus, the BMI value of the user is specified, and is classified and stored as lean, standard figure, and high obesity level according to the size.

  Next, in step S120, according to the selected driver information, the air temperature control amount and the blowout temperature control amount and the air flow control amount are classified by residence area, sex, age and obesity level as warmth correlation information. The control offset amount is calculated. Specifically, as shown in the control offset amount map displayed in a matrix in the block of S120, the preset control offset amounts C1T to C4T of the blowout temperature control amount and the air amount control according to each temperature sense correlation information A control offset amount C1B-C4B of the amount is selected.

  Here, the control offset amounts C1T to C4T and C1B to C4B will be described. In terms of residential area, the control offset amount C1T of the blowout temperature is based on Honshu, corresponding to the fact that a low set temperature is felt comfortable in cold areas and a high set temperature is felt comfortable in extreme heat areas. It is -3.5 ° C in Hokkaido and + 3.5 ° C in Okinawa. This is because the degree of opening of the sweat gland varies depending on the climate, and the comfortable environment associated with the difference in the amount of sweating is considered to be different.

  Note that the air volume is uniformly set as a reference condition (0 level = no change) regardless of the residential area.

  As for gender, women tend to feel a warm environment comfortably because they have lower caloric heat than men. Therefore, the female blowout temperature control offset amount C2T = + 7 ° C. and the airflow control offset amount C2B = −2 based on men. The level is set to 2 levels.

  In terms of age, the control offset amount C3T of the blowout temperature is corresponding to the fact that the younger age group feels comfortable in a cool environment with high metabolic calorific value, and the older age group feels comfortable in a warm environment with low metabolic calorific value, Based on the middle age group, it is −3.5 ° C. for 29 years or younger and + 3.5 ° C. for 60 years or older. Note that the air volume is uniformly set as a reference condition (0 level = no change) regardless of age.

  By obesity level, those with a high degree of obesity have a relatively high amount of perspiration, which makes it possible to feel comfortable with a lower set temperature and a higher air volume, and is based on those who are lean and standard. The control offset amount C4T of the blowout temperature of a person with a high degree of obesity is set to −7 ° C., and the control offset amount C4B of the airflow is set to +2 level (up two steps).

  Here, in the control offset amount map shown in FIG. 2, the air temperature control amount and the airflow control amount, which are different air conditioning control amounts, are divided for the same temperature sense correlation information. That is to say, for example, by area of residence, both the blowout temperature control amount and the air flow control amount are divided into three regions, “Hokkaido”, “Honshu”, and “Okinawa”. This is the same not only for sex but also for age and obesity. Thereby, the data amount of the attribute information stored as personal registration information can be reduced.

  Moreover, even if the number of warmth correlation information and the number of sections in each warmth correlation information are relatively small, the total number of combinations can be set large. Incidentally, in this embodiment, it is possible to obtain 3 × 2 × 3 × 3 = 54 warm sense correction characteristics in each of the blowout temperature control amount and the air flow control amount.

  By selecting the control offset amount in step S120, for example, in the case of Mr. A, C1T = −3.5 ° C., C2T = 0 ° C., C3T = 0 ° C., C4T = −7 ° C., and C1B = C2B = C3B = 0 Level, C4B = + 2 level.

  Next, in step S130, the total values CT (offset) and CB (offset) of the control offset amounts of the blow-out temperature and the air volume are calculated by Expression 1 and Expression 2.

CT (offset) = C1T + C2T + C3T + C4T (Formula 1)
CB (offset) = C1B + C2B + C3B + C4B (Formula 2)
Thus, in the case of Mr. A, CT (offset) =-10.5 ° C. and CB (offset) = + 2 level. Alternatively, if the user selected in S110 is Mr. B (resident in Hokkaido, female, 65 years old, standard body type), CT (offset) = 0 ° C. and CB (offset) = − 2 level.

  In step S140, a standard air conditioning control amount correction process for a standard user is performed, and the corrected air conditioning control amount is given to an air conditioning control routine (not shown). Thereby, in the air conditioning control routine, air conditioning control based on the corrected air conditioning control amount is performed.

  Specifically, in this correction process, the blowout temperature control amount fT (Tset, Tr, Tam, Ts) and the airflow control amount fB for a standard user stored in advance according to the set temperature and each sensor signal. (Tset, Tr, Tam, Ts) is selected, and control offset amounts CT (offset) and CB (offset) calculated for each user are added to these control amounts fT and fB. That is, the blowout temperature control amount fT * and the airflow control amount fB * corrected by Equations 3 and 4 are calculated.

fT * = fT + CT (offset) (Formula 3)
fB * = fB + CB (offset) (Formula 4)
Thus, for example, in the case of Mr. A, as shown in the block of S140 in FIG. 3, the corrected blowing temperature control amount fT * is −10.5 ° C. with respect to the reference blowing temperature control amount fT. Control characteristics shifted (downward). The corrected air flow control amount fB * has a control characteristic shifted by +2 levels (upward) with respect to the reference air flow control amount fB.

  In FIG. 3, the blowout temperature control amount fT and the airflow control amount fB show control characteristics with respect to the inside air temperature Tr and the deviation (Tr−Tset) between the inside air temperature and the set temperature, respectively.

  In step S150, the operating state of the engine is determined, and while the engine is not stopped, the processing of S140 is continued, and this correction processing routine is terminated when the engine is stopped.

  The processes in steps S100 and S110 correspond to user information input means, the processes in steps S120 and S130 correspond to offset amount calculation means, and the process in step S140 corresponds to correction means.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, each temperature set in advance for the residential area, sex, age, and obesity level, which is the warmth correlation information about the user (driver) specified at the time of starting the engine. Control offset amounts C1T to C4T and C1B to C4B of the air conditioning control amount with respect to the feeling correlation information are calculated. These control offset amounts C1T to C4T and C1B to C4B are set independently for each thermal sense correlation information.

  The total value CT (offset) of the control offset amounts C1T to C4T is calculated for the blowout temperature control amount fT as the air conditioning control amount, and this total value is added to the reference blowout temperature control amount. The blowout temperature control amount is corrected.

  Similarly, a total value CB (offset) of the control offset amounts C1B to C4B is calculated for the air volume control amount fB, and this total value is added to the reference air volume control amount to correct the air volume control amount. Is done.

  Therefore, the corrected blowout temperature control amount fT * and airflow control amount fB *, which are the corrected air conditioning control amounts, reflect all the influences of the plurality of warmth correlation information for each user. Thereby, the air-conditioning state suitable for a user's warm feeling is realizable.

  Further, even if the user changes, the correction amount of the air-conditioning control amount can be easily calculated without requiring a complicated calculation, thereby realizing a desirable air-conditioning state for each user.

(Other embodiments)
In the said embodiment, in each of blowing temperature control amount and airflow control amount, the example which was set as 3 * 2 * 3 * 3 = 54 warm sense correction characteristic according to residence area, sex, age classification, and obesity degree is shown. However, it is not limited to this. For example, other information such as body fat percentage and glasses / contact wearing may be used as the warmth correlation information. Or you may increase the number of divisions in each warmth correlation information. Further, the control offset amount may be changed.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a four-dimensional map of control characteristics related to the blowing temperature and the air volume is stored as the reference air conditioning control amount is shown. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The function formula of TAO is memorized, TAO is calculated by the function formula based on the sensor signal that changes every moment, and the blowout temperature, the air volume and the blowout mode are controlled according to the control characteristics based on this TAO. Good. In this case, the control offset amount is calculated for each warmth correlation information for each user as described above with respect to the control amount of the blowing temperature and the air volume set for the TAO, and those The total value can be added to correct the air conditioning control amount.

  Alternatively, the calculated value of the target outlet temperature TAO according to the above function formula is used as the air conditioning control amount, the control offset amount for each thermal sense correlation information for this TAO is calculated, and the total value thereof is added to TAO as the air conditioning control amount. The TAO can be corrected.

  In the above embodiment, the warmth correlation information as the personal registration information is registered in advance on the air conditioner ECU side for each user, and the warmth correlation information that is collated with the personal ID information of the driver that is input when the engine is started. Although the example which correct | amends an air-conditioning control amount based on this was shown, it does not restrict to this. For example, by using an electronic key as a user information input means as a key for starting the engine, and storing the thermal sense correlation information of the driver in this electronic key, the electronic key directly receives the information from the electronic key when the engine is started. You may make it output the warmth correlation information of a driver.

It is a figure showing the whole air-conditioner composition for vehicles of an embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a part of correction processing routine of an air-conditioning control amount. It is a flowchart which shows a part of correction processing routine of an air-conditioning control amount.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Air-conditioning unit, 20 ... Air-conditioning operation panel, 30 ... Air-conditioner ECU.

Claims (7)

A vehicle air conditioner that controls an air conditioning state of the vehicle interior based on an air conditioning control amount set according to an environmental condition outside the vehicle interior,
User information input means for inputting warmth correlation information correlated with the warmth of the user in the passenger compartment among the personal attribute information for identifying the individual,
An offset amount calculating means for calculating a control offset amount for the blowout temperature control amount among the air conditioning control amount according to the temperature correlation information;
Correction means for correcting the blowing temperature control amount by adding the calculated control offset amount to the blowing temperature control amount;
A vehicle air conditioner comprising: A vehicle air conditioner that controls an air conditioning state of the vehicle interior based on an air conditioning control amount set according to an environmental condition outside the vehicle interior,
User information input means for inputting warmth correlation information correlated with the warmth of the user in the passenger compartment among the personal attribute information for identifying the individual,
An offset amount calculating means for calculating a blowing temperature control offset amount with respect to a blowing temperature control amount of the air conditioning control amount and an air flow control offset amount with respect to an air flow control amount of the air conditioning control amount according to the temperature correlation information;
The air flow control is corrected by adding the calculated air flow control offset to the air flow control amount, and the air flow control amount is corrected by adding the air flow control offset to the air flow control amount. Correction means for correcting the amount;
A vehicle air conditioner comprising: A vehicle air conditioner that controls an air conditioning state of the vehicle interior based on an air conditioning control amount set according to an environmental condition outside the vehicle interior,
User information input means for inputting a plurality of pieces of warmth correlation information correlated with the warmth of the user in the passenger compartment among the personal attribute information for identifying the individual,
An offset amount calculating means for calculating a total value of the respective control offset amounts according to the temperature sense correlation information for the air conditioning control amount;
Correction means for correcting the air conditioning control amount by adding a total value of the calculated control offset amounts to the air conditioning control amount;
A vehicle air conditioner comprising: The air conditioning control amount is at least one of a blowing temperature control amount for controlling the blowing temperature of the wind blown into the vehicle interior and an air flow control amount for controlling the air flow amount of the wind blown into the vehicle interior. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 3. 5. The warm sense correlation information is at least one of the user's age data, gender data, residential area data, and obesity data, according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Vehicle air conditioner. The correction means selects the control offset amount from a plurality of values set in advance according to the warmth correlation information, and also selects the control offset amount according to the different warmth correlation information for the same air conditioning control amount. The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a total value of each offset amount is calculated. The user information input means stores the thermal sensation correlation information for each user as personal registration information, and receives an identification signal for identifying a user, and corresponds to the identification signal. The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the personal registration information of the stored user that matches the user is selected.

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