JP2010089714A - Air conditioning device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioning device for a vehicle allowing an occupant to feel a change in the temperature sensibility by aroma when the occupant gets in the vehicle and operates the switch of the air conditioning device. <P>SOLUTION: This air conditioning device supplies conditioned air at a prescribed temperature and in a prescribed quantity, which is generated inside an air conditioning device body, into a vehicle compartment via a duct connected to the air conditioning device body. It includes an aroma adding part adding the aroma to the conditioned air flowing in the air conditioning device body or the duct, a control means controlling the conditioned air with the aroma added by the aroma adding part, and a detecting means detecting the fact that the occupant gets in the vehicle. The control means starts the addition of the aroma to the conditioned air after detection of the fact that the occupant gets in the car from the detecting means, and supplies the conditioned air in a low flow rate into the vehicle compartment. It supplies the conditioned air in the low flow rate at least until the concentration of the aroma in a prescribed region around the nose of the occupant reaches a concentration of a prescribed recognition threshold value, and then, it executes control on the temperature or air flow of the conditioned air based on previously set thermal sensibility of the occupant by the aroma. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner that can make an occupant feel a sense of comfort by supplying air conditioned air to which an aroma has been added toward the occupant.

Conventionally, it has been disclosed that a person's temperature sensation can be changed by using a cosmetic product containing a fragrance or by dissipating the fragrance with an air-conditioner (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).
International publication WO2005 / 023968

  However, in the above conventional technology, there is no disclosure about the relationship between the fragrance control and the air conditioner control. In other words, simply adding fragrance to the air conditioner wind causes the air conditioner wind to blow out from the air outlet when the occupant operates the air conditioner switch on a hot or cold day. There is a problem of end. If the fragrance diffuses, the passenger cannot feel the temperature change caused by the fragrance.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle air conditioner that allows a passenger to experience a change in temperature sensation due to aroma when the passenger gets in and operates an air conditioner switch.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is characterized in that the fragrance is supplied to the occupant with a low-wind air conditioner before the occupant gets in and operates the air conditioner switch. That is, the present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner in which an air conditioner wind having a predetermined temperature and air volume generated inside an air conditioner body supplies the air conditioner wind to a vehicle interior via a duct connected to the air conditioner body. A fragrance addition unit for adding fragrance to the air conditioner air flowing in the air conditioner body or the duct, a control means for controlling the air conditioner air to which fragrance is added by the fragrance addition unit, and detecting that an occupant has entered the vehicle Detecting means, and the control means starts adding fragrance to the air-conditioning wind after detecting the occupant's boarding from the detecting means, and supplies the air-conditioning wind into the vehicle interior with low wind, The low-air-conditioner wind is supplied until the fragrance concentration in a predetermined area centered on the nose of the occupant reaches a predetermined recognition threshold concentration. It is characterized by performing, based on the thermal sensation of the passenger by the preset fragrance control of temperature or flow rate of Con wind.

  According to the present invention, for a predetermined time after the occupant gets into the vehicle (the time until the fragrance recognition threshold concentration reaches a predetermined area centered on the occupant's nose), the air-conditioning wind containing the fragrance is low wind. Supplied to the passenger compartment. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fragrance from diffusing due to the air-conditioner wind, and it is possible to make the passenger feel a comfortable feeling due to the fragrance.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram when a vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention is mounted on a vehicle. The vehicle air conditioner 10 includes an air conditioner fan 14 that supplies air conditioner air into a passenger compartment 13 via a duct 12 that is provided inside the air conditioner body 11 and is connected to the air conditioner body 11, and air conditioner air that flows in the duct 12. A fragrance addition unit 15 for adding fragrance to the scent and a control unit 16 as control means for controlling rotation of the air conditioner fan 14 and addition of fragrance by the fragrance addition unit 15.

  The fragrance adding unit 15 includes an fragrance tank 17 in which an fragrance 17A is housed, a connecting pipe 18 that connects the fragrance tank 17 and the duct 12, and an fragrance fan provided in the upper portion of the fragrance tank 17. 19 and an fragrance valve 20 provided at a connection portion between the fragrance tank 17 and the connecting pipe 18.

  The control unit 16 controls the fragrance fan 19 and the fragrance valve 20 of the fragrance addition unit 15. When supplying the fragrance into the duct 12, the control unit 16 opens the fragrance valve 20 and starts rotating the fragrance fan 19. When stopping the supply of fragrance into the duct 12, the fragrance valve 20 is closed and the rotation of the fragrance fan 19 is stopped.

  In addition, the front-end | tip of the duct 12 is connected to the blower outlet 22 formed in the instrument panel 21, and the air-conditioner wind from the air-conditioner main body 11 blows off toward the passenger | crew's M face from the blower outlet 22, as the arrow B shows. It is like that.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention. The control unit 16 includes an air conditioner control device 25, an occupant position detection device 26, and an aroma control device 27.

  The air conditioner control device 25 outputs a control signal to the air conditioner fan 14 to control rotation start and stop of the air conditioner fan 14 and to control the rotation speed of the air conditioner fan 14. The air conditioner control device 25 also outputs a control signal to the fragrance control device 27.

  The occupant position detection device 26 calculates a distance L (see FIG. 1) between the occupant M's face (especially the nose) and the air-conditioning air outlet 22 when the occupant M (see FIG. 1) is seated in the driver's seat. The calculation result is output to the aroma control device 27. The occupant position detection device 26 calculates the position of the occupant's face by, for example, the position of a seat slide, a seat recliner, a seat lifter, or the like, or image processing such as a camera set on the occupant side.

  The fragrance control device 27 takes in the control signal from the air conditioner control device 25 and the data of the distance L from the occupant position detection device 26, and outputs the control signal to the fragrance fan 19 and the fragrance valve 20, and the fragrance fan. The rotation start and the rotation stop of 19 are controlled, and the opening degree of the aromatic valve 20 is controlled. At this time, if the fragrance valve 20 is fully closed, no fragrance is supplied into the duct 12, and if the opening of the fragrance valve 20 is gradually increased, the concentration of the fragrance supplied into the duct 12 gradually increases. And higher. If the fragrance valve 20 is fully opened, the concentration of the fragrance supplied into the duct 12 is maximized.

  As described above, the control unit 16 comprehensively controls the air conditioner fan 14, the fragrance fan 19, and the fragrance valve 20 by the air conditioner control device 25 and the fragrance control device 27.

  Further, a boarding detection unit 28 is provided, and a door opening / closing detection switch 29, a seating sensor 30, an engine key switch 31, and an air conditioner switch 32 are connected to the boarding detection unit 28, respectively. The door open / close detection switch 29 detects opening / closing of the door (front door of the vehicle) and outputs a detection signal to the boarding detection unit 28. The seating sensor 30 detects that an occupant is seated in the driver's seat and outputs a detection signal to the boarding detection unit 28. The engine key switch 31 detects that the engine key has been inserted into the key cylinder, and outputs a detection signal to the boarding detection unit 28. The air conditioner switch 32 outputs an input signal to the boarding detection unit 28 when the air conditioner switch is turned on.

  The air conditioner switch 32 is also connected to the air conditioner control device 25 in the control unit 16, and outputs an input signal to the air conditioner control device 25 when the air conditioner switch 32 is turned on. Further, in addition to the air conditioner switch 32, an air conditioner temperature adjustment switch 33, a temperature sensor 34, and a solar radiation sensor 35 are connected to the air conditioner control device 25. The air conditioner temperature adjustment switch 33 outputs an operation signal to the air conditioner control device 25 when the passenger operates the air conditioner temperature adjustment switch 33 to adjust the air conditioner set temperature. The temperature sensor 34 detects the temperature in the passenger compartment 13 (see FIG. 1) and outputs the detection result to the air conditioner control device 25. Further, the solar radiation sensor 35 detects the amount of solar radiation and outputs the detection result to the air conditioner control device 25.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a temporal change in the air speed of the air-conditioner wind when fragrance is added immediately after the occupant gets into the vehicle. Here, on the time axis (horizontal axis), t1 is the time when the occupant gets into the vehicle and closes the door (or the time when the occupant is seated in the driver's seat: the same applies hereinafter), and t2 is the time when the engine key is inserted into the key cylinder. The time t3 indicates the time when the occupant turned on the air conditioner switch. Further, t4 indicates the time when the fragrance recognition threshold concentration reaches a predetermined area centered on the nose of the occupant, and t5 indicates the time when the occupant adapts to the fragrance and cannot recognize the fragrance.

  In the conventional vehicle air conditioner, as shown by a thick broken line in the figure, at the time t3, the occupant turns on the air conditioner switch, and at the same time, the air conditioner wind is supplied into the vehicle interior with a strong wind. Especially on hot summer days, the air-conditioner fan 14 rotates at a high speed, and the air-conditioner wind becomes quite strong. In such a state, even if the fragrance is added from the fragrance adding unit 15, the fragrance is diffused by the strong air-conditioning wind, and the fragrance concentration above the fragrance recognition threshold cannot be obtained in the vicinity of the occupant's face, The effect of the fragrance cannot be fully felt by the passenger.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the air speed of the air conditioner is controlled as indicated by a thick solid line in the figure. The control unit 16 controls the fragrance adding unit 15 to add fragrance to the air-conditioner wind in the duct 12 immediately after time t1 when the occupant enters the vehicle and closes the door (that is, between time t1 and time t2). Start. That is, the control unit 16 controls to start the rotation of the fragrance fan 19 and open the fragrance valve 20, whereby the fragrance evaporated from the fragrance 17 </ b> A in the fragrance tank 17 passes through the connection pipe 18 and is ducted. 12 and the fragrance addition to the air-conditioner wind is started.

  At this time, the air-conditioner fan 14 is rotated at a low speed, and the air-conditioner wind is supplied into the vehicle interior with a slight wind. The operation of supplying the air-conditioning wind with a light breeze continues even if the occupant turns on the air-conditioner switch 32 (that is, even when the time t3 is reached), and the fragrance recognition threshold concentration reaches a predetermined region centered on the occupant's nose. The operation continues until the occupant adapts to the fragrance and cannot recognize the fragrance (that is, from time t4 to time t5).

  Then, when the operation of supplying the air-conditioner wind with the light wind is finished, the control of the temperature and air volume of the air-conditioner wind is adjusted based on the sensation of the occupant's thermal sensation, that is, the air-conditioner fan 14 is rotated at a high speed. Perform normal air conditioning operation.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an image of an aroma concentration distribution from the air-conditioning air outlet 22 to the face of the occupant M. The region where the fragrance recognition threshold concentration is required is a region having a radius R of about 10 to 15 cm centered on the occupant's nose when estimated from the breathing volume of a normal person. In the case of limonene, which is one of the perfumes to be felt, it is about 0.04 ppm. Furthermore, the condition of the breeze at the start of the air conditioner is limited to the occupant's adaptation time for the fragrance. When the air-conditioning wind becomes a breeze, the addition of fragrance is resumed. Thereby, useless consumption of the fragrance can be prevented.

  By effectively supplying the scent to the occupant as described above, for example, if the scent is menthol or limonene, the occupant can obtain a cold temperature sensation by the scent, and raise the set temperature of the air conditioner than before. Or, it is possible to obtain a comfortable feeling even when the wind speed of the air conditioner is lowered. In addition, by using an air freshener that gives a warm temperature sensation such as basil or vanillin during heating, it becomes possible to lower the air-conditioner set temperature than before or to reduce the air speed of the air-conditioner. By performing the air-conditioner control in conjunction with such an aroma, the fuel efficiency of the vehicle can be improved. For example, by adding a fragrance in midsummer, the air conditioner set temperature can be increased by about 0.5 ° C. compared to the conventional case. In this case, it is estimated that the vehicle fuel consumption is improved by about one point compared to the conventional case. .

  5A and 5B are flowcharts showing the operation of the vehicle air conditioner according to the present embodiment.

  First, it is determined whether or not the fragrance function is used (step S1). If it is determined that the fragrance function is not used, normal air conditioner control according to the air conditioner set temperature is executed (step S2).

  If it is determined in step S1 that the fragrance function is being used, it is detected whether or not the door opening / closing switch (door opening / closing detection switch) is activated (step S3). If activated, the process proceeds to step S6. If the door opening / closing switch is not actuated in step S3, it is further detected whether or not the engine key has been inserted into the key cylinder (step S4), and if it has been inserted, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S4, if the engine key is not inserted in the key cylinder, it is further detected whether or not the air conditioner switch is turned on (step S5). If it is turned on, the process proceeds to step S6. If the air conditioner switch is not turned on in step S5, the process returns to step S1.

  When the door opening / closing switch is actuated, the engine key is inserted into the key cylinder, or the air conditioner switch is turned on, it is determined that an occupant has entered the vehicle (step S6), and the air conditioner flowing in the duct 12 continues. The fragrance is added to the wind (step S7), and the air-conditioner wind is supplied into the passenger compartment as a breeze (step S8).

  Then, after the fragrance addition, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time T1 has elapsed (step S9). When it is determined that the time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S10, and when it is determined that the time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S7. Thereby, the air-conditioner wind to which the fragrance is added is supplied with the breeze for a predetermined time T1.

  Next, when it is determined in step S9 that the predetermined time T1 has elapsed, it is determined whether or not the difference between the air conditioner set temperature and the passenger compartment temperature is within a specified value (step S10), and the difference is not within the specified value. Advances to step S12. If it is within the specified value, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time T2 (T2> T1) has elapsed after the addition of fragrance. If not, the process waits until the predetermined time T2 elapses (step S11), and then step S12. Proceed to

  Then, it is determined whether the fragrance is a cold fragrance or a warm fragrance (step S12). In the case of a cold fragrance, air conditioning control higher than the set temperature is executed (step S13), and in the case of a warm fragrance, from the set temperature. Lower air conditioner control is executed (step S14). After step S13 or step S14, the process proceeds to step S15.

  In this case, when adding the fragrance of the cool fragrance during cooling, the air conditioner control temperature at the time of stabilization is raised or the air speed of the air conditioner is lowered, and when adding the fragrance of the warm fragrance during heating, the air conditioning control temperature at the time of stability is increased. It is controlled to lower or reduce the air speed of the air conditioner. By controlling in this way, the amount of fragrance used can be kept low.

  Finally, it is detected whether or not the air conditioner switch is turned off (step S15), and if not, the process returns to step S12. If it is cut off, the air conditioner is stopped (step S16), and the addition of fragrance is stopped (step S17).

  According to the present embodiment, the air-conditioner wind is started with a slight breeze between the door closing after the ride and the air-conditioner switch is turned on, and at the same time, the aroma is added, so that the aroma does not diffuse widely due to the air-conditioner wind. A region having a perfume recognition concentration or more can be generated around the occupant's face, and the scent can be effectively recognized from the beginning of the ride on the vehicle.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the air conditioner can be operated more energy-saving than usual, the fuel efficiency of the vehicle is improved.

  In the present embodiment, when the air conditioner fan 14 starts rotating, if the difference between the passenger compartment temperature and the air conditioner set temperature is large, control is performed to increase the concentration of fragrance. In this way, when the passenger compartment is very hot or cold, a thermal sensation effect due to the scent intensity can be obtained, so that the comfort at the start can be improved without increasing the air volume.

  Further, in this embodiment, the duration of sending the light air-conditioner wind into the vehicle interior is controlled to be shorter as the difference between the vehicle interior temperature and the air-conditioner set temperature is larger. By controlling in this way, the time to reach the air conditioner set temperature can be shortened by increasing the air volume.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, after supplying the air-conditioning air of a slight breeze into the vehicle interior, normal air-conditioning operation is performed, and the addition of fragrance is stopped until the vehicle interior temperature falls to a predetermined temperature, so that the vehicle interior temperature is predetermined. Addition of fragrance is resumed when the temperature is lowered and the wind speed of the air conditioner is lowered. If it does in this way, fragrance | flavor addition while the effect of a fragrance cannot fully be exhibited is suppressed by the strong wind which obtains a thermal cooling feeling by the increase in an air volume, and unnecessary fragrance | flavor consumption can be avoided.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the door opening / closing detection switch 29, the seating sensor 30, the engine key switch 31, or the air conditioner switch 32 is provided as detection means, so that it is reliably detected that an occupant has entered the vehicle. can do.

  In FIG. 1, the fragrance from the fragrance addition unit 15 is supplied into the duct 12, but the fragrance may be supplied into the air conditioner body 11. In addition, a part of the air-conditioner wind from the air-conditioner body 11 is guided to the fragrance addition unit 15, and the fragrance addition unit 15 adds the fragrance to the air-conditioner wind and supplies the air-conditioner wind after the fragrance addition into the duct 12. You may comprise.

  FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment. In the first embodiment, the air conditioner wind is supplied into the passenger compartment with a breeze immediately after the occupant gets into the vehicle. However, when the wind speed of the air conditioner wind is lowered on a hot summer day, the comfort may be impaired. is there.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, when the difference between the initial passenger compartment temperature and the air-conditioner set temperature is large, the air-conditioner wind speed is increased and the intermediate wind (wind is faster than the fine wind and slower than the strong wind). This reduces the discomfort felt by passengers. In addition, it defines as a low wind including an intermediate wind and a light breeze (Example 1).

  Furthermore, at that time, if the opening degree of the fragrance valve 20 is increased and the fragrance concentration is made higher than that in the light wind, the decrease in the fragrance diffused by increasing the wind speed can be compensated, and the temperature of the fragrance given to the occupant It can prevent you from losing the feeling.

  Addition of fragrance to the air-conditioner wind stops at the same time as the air-conditioner wind switches from the intermediate wind to the strong wind, as described above, and once the air-conditioner wind speed returns to the intermediate wind as the cabin temperature stabilizes, the air-conditioner wind is high again. Add fragrance at concentration. Then, when the air-conditioner wind falls to a breeze, fragrance is added to the air-conditioner wind at a normal concentration.

  In FIG. 6, the thick broken line indicates the change in the air-conditioner wind in the prior art, and the thick solid line indicates the change in the air-conditioner wind in the present embodiment.

  According to the present embodiment, since the air conditioner wind is not a breeze, the comfortable feeling is not impaired even on a hot day in midsummer. In addition, since the fragrance addition stop time exists, the consumption of the fragrance can be suppressed.

  In the third embodiment, the fluctuation control for changing the temperature and the wind speed of the air conditioner wind is not performed for a slight change in the thermal sensation due to the outside air temperature, the amount of solar radiation, or the like from a stable state of the passenger compartment temperature. Only the addition of.

  By controlling in this way, the temperature change felt by the occupant is moderated and the comfort is improved, and there is an energy saving effect because the air conditioner power is not fluctuated for a weak summer temperature rise.

  Further, in this embodiment, the fragrance addition unit 15 sets the ventilation mode during the addition of fragrance during heating to the bi-level of vent (for the occupant's upper part) or foot (for the occupant's lower part), and the fragrance is on the vent side. It is comprised so that it may add.

  If comprised in this way, since the air conditioned wind with which fragrance was added can be supplied toward a passenger | crew's nose even at the time of heating, compared with the case where it supplies from a foot side, it becomes possible to reduce a fragrance density | concentration.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, each of the above embodiments is only an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited only to the configuration of each of the above embodiments. . Needless to say, changes in design and the like within the scope of the present invention are included in the present invention.

  For example, in each of the above embodiments, the scent control is performed on the occupant seated in the driver's seat, that is, the driver, but the present invention is also applied to the scent control on the occupant seated on the passenger seat and further on the rear seat. Applicable.

It is a whole block diagram when the vehicle air conditioner concerning this invention is mounted in a vehicle. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the vehicle air conditioner which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the time change of the wind speed of an air-conditioner wind in case a fragrance is added immediately after a passenger | crew gets into a vehicle. It is the figure showing the fragrance concentration distribution image from an air-conditioning style blower outlet to a crew member's face. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the vehicle air conditioner by Example 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the continuation of FIG. 5A. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment and showing a temporal change in the wind speed of the air-conditioner wind.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Vehicle air conditioner 11 Air-conditioner main body 12 Duct 13 Car compartment 14 Air-conditioner fan 15 Aroma addition part 16 Control part (control means)
17 Air Freshener Tank 19 Air Fragrance Fan 20 Air Valve 22 Air Conditioning Air Outlet 29 Door Open / Close Detection Switch (Detection Means)
30 Seating sensor (detection means)
31 Engine key switch (detection means)
32 Air conditioner switch (detection means)

Claims (9)

In a vehicle air conditioner in which an air conditioner air having a predetermined temperature and air volume generated inside an air conditioner body supplies air conditioner air to a vehicle interior via a duct connected to the air conditioner body,
A fragrance addition unit for adding a fragrance to the air conditioner air flowing in the air conditioner body or the duct;
Control means for controlling the air-conditioner air to which the fragrance is added by the fragrance adding unit;
Detecting means for detecting that an occupant has entered the vehicle,
The control means starts adding fragrance to the air-conditioner wind after detecting the passenger entry from the detection means, and supplies the air-conditioner wind to the passenger compartment with low wind, while at least focusing on the nose of the passenger The air conditioner wind of the low wind is supplied until the fragrance concentration in the predetermined area reaches a predetermined recognition threshold concentration, and then the control of the temperature or air volume of the air conditioner wind is performed by the scent of the passenger by the preset fragrance A vehicle air conditioner that is performed based on a feeling. The fragrance addition part has a cold fragrance,
2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control to increase a target air-conditioner control temperature or decrease a target air-conditioner wind speed when adding the fragrance of the cold fragrance during cooling. Vehicle air conditioner. The fragrance addition part has a warm fragrance,
2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the fragrance of the warm fragrance is added during heating, the control unit performs control so as to lower a target air-conditioner control temperature or lower a target air-conditioner wind speed. Vehicle air conditioner.   The said control means raises the density | concentration of fragrance, when the difference of a vehicle interior temperature and target temperature is large at the time of the supply start of the said air-conditioner wind, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. Vehicle air conditioner.   The said control means shortens the continuation time which sends the said low wind air-conditioner wind into a vehicle interior, so that the difference of vehicle interior temperature and target temperature is large. The vehicle air conditioner described in 1.   The control means performs normal air-conditioning operation after supplying the low-wind air-conditioner wind into the vehicle interior, stops adding fragrance until the vehicle interior temperature falls to a predetermined temperature, and the vehicle interior temperature is predetermined. The vehicular air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the addition of fragrance is resumed when the temperature drops and the speed of the air-conditioner wind decreases.   The control means does not perform fluctuation control for changing the temperature and wind speed of the air conditioner for a slight change in temperature and cooling due to the outside air temperature below a certain amount from the stable state of the passenger compartment temperature, the amount of solar radiation, etc. Only addition is performed, The vehicle air conditioner as described in any one of Claims 1-6 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The said fragrance addition part is made into the bi-level which sends the ventilation mode during addition of fragrance to both the upper part and the lower part of the occupant during heating, and the fragrance is added from the vent side. The vehicle air conditioner as described in any one of Claims.   The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the detection means is any one of a door open / close detection switch, an engine key switch, an air conditioner switch, and a seating sensor.

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