JP2013212809A - Vehicle air-conditioning apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle air-conditioning apparatus capable of improving user-friendliness by utilizing pre-air-conditioning operation for other in-vehicle equipment.SOLUTION: A vehicle air-conditioning apparatus comprises: an air-conditioning part performing air-conditioning of a vehicle interior; a receiving part receiving a pre-air-conditioning instruction signal for operating the air-conditioning part in a pre-air-conditioning mode being a predetermined air-conditioning mode from a portable device carried by a user outside the vehicle interior; a pre-air-conditioning control part for operating the air-conditioning part in the pre-air-conditioning mode when the receiving part receives the pre-air-conditioning instruction signal; and a pre-air-conditioning information output part outputting pre-air-conditioning mode shift information including the effect of shifting to the pre-air-conditioning mode to an in-vehicle device mounted in a vehicle when the air-conditioning part starts the operation by the pre-air-conditioning mode.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner, and more particularly to a vehicle air conditioner capable of air conditioning a passenger compartment before a user gets on the vehicle.

  In recent years, in an air conditioning system for a vehicle, in an environment where the temperature in the passenger compartment is very high, such as in summer, the user operates the portable device that he / she has before riding to perform air conditioning in advance. Vehicle air conditioners having a pre-air conditioning function that reduces discomfort are becoming popular.

  In the pre-air-conditioning function, there is a concern that the battery will run out if the blower is activated and cooled before the engine is started. Therefore, a vehicle air conditioner has been devised that can reduce discomfort when getting into the vehicle while preventing the battery from running out (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-056839 A

  Many in-vehicle devices are mounted on the vehicle, but these are activated by the user's operation on the vehicle except for a part, and after the user performs a predetermined initialization process or self-diagnosis process, the user It will be ready for use. When the configuration of the device becomes complicated, the time required for initialization processing or self-diagnosis processing (referred to as “start-up time”) becomes longer, and even if the user gets on the vehicle and starts the engine, it is difficult to use the vehicle-mounted device. Will be damaged.

  In some countries or regions, it is considered to require the self-diagnosis of the in-vehicle device and the sensor / actuator connected thereto to be completed when the in-vehicle device is started. In this case, the vehicle cannot run until the self-diagnosis is completed.

  Taking a navigation device as an example, the navigation device is often ready for use after a while when the vehicle can run (for example, when the engine has been started), and then the destination setting / guide route A search is to be performed, and it is impossible to travel until the guide route is determined. Furthermore, if the engine is idling during this time, fuel consumption, noise, and exhaust gas cannot be ignored.

  Executing the pre-air-conditioning function displays the user's intention to get on, but the conventional vehicle air-conditioning apparatus including Patent Document 1 uses this user's intention to get on. It is not configured.

  Against the background of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle air conditioner that can improve a user's convenience by utilizing a pre-air conditioning operation for other in-vehicle devices.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  A vehicle air conditioner for solving the above-mentioned problems is pre-air-conditioning in which an air-conditioning unit is in a predetermined air-conditioning mode from an air-conditioning unit that air-conditions a vehicle interior and a portable device possessed by a user outside the vehicle. A receiving unit that receives a pre-air conditioning instruction signal that operates in a mode, a pre-air conditioning control unit that operates the air conditioning unit in a pre-air conditioning mode when the receiving unit receives the pre-air conditioning instruction signal, and an air conditioning unit that is in the pre-air conditioning mode. A pre-air-conditioning information output unit that outputs pre-air-conditioning mode transition information that includes a transition to the pre-air-conditioning mode to an in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle when the operation according to is started.

  The user actually gets on board after instructing the pre-air-conditioning because the air-conditioning state in the passenger compartment becomes comfortable for the user, and is considered to be about a few minutes after the pre-air-conditioning instruction is transmitted. Conventionally, in the present invention, an initialization process that has been performed after the user gets on the vehicle (for example, after the IG is turned on) can be started forward. As a result, the initialization process and the like are completed before the user actually gets on the vehicle, and a desired vehicle-mounted device can be operated as soon as the user gets on the vehicle. In addition, since the waiting time from when the user gets on until the initialization process or the like is completed is surely shortened, the convenience for the user is improved. Furthermore, engine idling can be shortened, and fuel consumption, noise, and exhaust gas can be reduced.

The figure which shows the structural example of the vehicle air conditioner. The flowchart explaining pre air-conditioning mode control processing. The figure explaining the transition of the operation mode of this invention. The flowchart explaining pre air-conditioning mode operation processing.

  Hereinafter, the vehicle air conditioner of this invention is demonstrated using drawing. In FIG. 1, the structural example of the vehicle air conditioner 1 is shown. The vehicle air conditioner 1 includes an air conditioner ECU 10 and an air conditioner 11 (air conditioner of the present invention). The air conditioner ECU 10 has a data communication module (DCM) 12 (receiver of the present invention) that is a device for performing wireless communication with communication devices outside the vehicle, such as the portable device 30 possessed by the user, via the in-vehicle LAN 35. ), An air conditioning sensor group 28, an air conditioning operation unit 29, a boarding detection unit 31, and a battery voltage detection unit 32 are connected.

  The portable device 30 may be a device that directly transmits a signal to the DCM 12, such as a so-called remote control starter, or via a public communication line, such as a mobile phone or a smartphone, via a base station nearest to the current position of the vehicle. Then, a portable communication terminal that transmits a signal to the DCM 12 may be used.

  The air-conditioning sensor group 28 includes, for example, an inside air temperature sensor that detects the inside temperature of the vehicle, an outside air temperature sensor that detects the outside temperature of the vehicle, a post-evaporator sensor that detects the temperature of the air immediately after passing through the evaporator, and a solar radiation sensor that detects the amount of solar radiation. , A well-known sensor such as a humidity sensor for detecting the humidity inside the vehicle is included.

  The air-conditioning operation unit 29 is provided, for example, on an air-conditioner panel provided in the center front of the instrument panel in the passenger compartment that can be operated by the driver and the passenger on the passenger seat, and includes an ON / OFF switch, an air volume switch, and a temperature setting switch. , An outlet changeover switch (MODE switch), an inside / outside air changeover switch, a defroster switch, and an A / C switch. Each of these switches is configured as a well-known pressing operation unit or dial operation unit.

  The air conditioner ECU 10 includes a CPU 10a (pre-air conditioning control unit of the present invention), a ROM 10b, a RAM 10c, an I / O 10d as a signal input / output circuit, and a communication I / F 10e which is a communication interface of the in-vehicle LAN 35 (pre-air conditioning information output unit of the present invention). It is comprised as well-known computer hardware provided with these. The air conditioner 11 is driven and controlled on the basis of the operation states of the various air conditioning operation units 29 and the detection results of the various air conditioning sensor groups 28, so that the blowout temperature control, the air volume control, the inside air / outside air intake air switching control, and Well-known air conditioning control such as air outlet switching control is executed. These air conditioning controls are executed by the CPU 10a executing an air conditioning control program stored in the ROM 10b.

  The air conditioner 11 includes an air conditioner unit (not shown) which is a known HVAC (Heating Ventilating and Air-Conditioning) unit, and a known refrigeration cycle (not shown) for cooling output of the air conditioner unit. I have.

  The air conditioner unit is a well-known unit, and includes various motors such as a blower motor for sucking air from the inside air inlet or the outside air inlet and blowing the air toward a plurality of outlets in the air conditioning duct. The evaporator is provided in the downstream part of the blower motor.

  The refrigeration cycle is driven by the engine 17 or the motor 11a and sucks and compresses a gaseous refrigerant and sends it as a high-temperature and high-pressure gas, and sends out the refrigerant (high-temperature and high-pressure gas) to the outside air. A condenser (condenser, not shown) that cools and absorbs the latent heat of condensation (received by a cooling fan) and a receiver (receiver) that separates the liquefied refrigerant into gas and liquid and sends out only the liquid refrigerant A liquid container (not shown), an expansion valve (expansion valve, not shown) that expands the delivered liquid refrigerant to form a low-temperature / low-pressure mist refrigerant, and the low-temperature / low-pressure mist refrigerant. An evaporator for removing latent heat from the air to cool the passenger compartment air and sending the vaporized refrigerant to the compressor 11b. That.

The boarding detection unit 31 detects whether or not the user has boarded the vehicle, and includes at least one of the following.
-Door lock switch that detects the door lock status (unlocked / locked).
-Door switch that detects the opening and closing of the door.
A seating sensor composed of a switch provided in a seating portion of a vehicle seat.
A camera installed inside the vehicle so as to be capable of photographing (including an image processing unit that analyzes the photographed image)

  The battery voltage detection part 32 detects the voltage of the battery (for example, battery 15) which is supplying the power to the motor 11a which drives the compressor 11b, and the blower contained in the air conditioner apparatus 11.

  The air conditioner ECU 10 is communicably connected to the following ECU or device (the in-vehicle device of the present invention) via the in-vehicle LAN 35. Since these ECU configurations and operations are well known, only an outline will be given here. In addition, at the time of activation, these ECUs initialize the internal state of the ECU and perform operation diagnosis (that is, self-diagnosis) of sensors and actuators connected to the ECU. Moreover, the update function which acquires the newest program and data from the exterior of vehicle equipment, such as a data server outside a vehicle, and makes an vehicle equipment the latest state may be performed.

  Power management ECU 14: Mounted when the vehicle is a known hybrid vehicle or electric vehicle. In the case of a hybrid vehicle, based on the state of charge of the battery 15 for driving the motor 13 or the state of the vehicle, control of which of the motor 13 and the engine 17 (both may be used) as a drive source is controlled. Do. In the case of an electric vehicle, drive control of the motor 13 is performed based on the state of charge of the battery 15 or the traveling state of the vehicle.

  Engine ECU 16: When the vehicle is a hybrid vehicle, rotation control of the engine 17 is performed based on control information from the power management ECU 14. When the vehicle uses only the engine as the driving force source, the rotation of the engine 17 is controlled based on the state of the vehicle such as the accelerator opening.

  Airbag ECU 18: For example, when it is determined that the vehicle has collided with an object based on the state of the acceleration sensor, the airbag is deployed.

  ABS (anti-lock brake system) ECU 19: Based on the driver's operation of the brake pedal, the drive control of the ABS actuator (control of the brake hydraulic pressure) is performed.

  VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) ECU20: Steering control is performed so as to suppress a side slip that is likely to occur when turning a curve.

  The airbag ECU 18, ABS ECU 19, and VSC ECU 20 are included in the traveling safety system on-vehicle device.

  Power steering ECU 21: Detects the steering state of the user and controls the drive of the motor to assist the driver's steering.

  Light ECU 22: Performs lighting control of a vehicle lighting device based on a user's switch operation. Further, based on the brightness around the vehicle, auto light control for turning on / off the headlight is performed.

  TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) ECU 23: Outputs air pressure information based on the state of the tire pressure sensor.

  Door lock ECU 24: Based on the user's switch operation, the door lock is unlocked / locked by driving and controlling an actuator such as a motor.

  P / W (power window) ECU 25: Drives and controls an actuator such as a motor based on a user's switch operation to open and close a vehicle window.

  The light ECU 22, the door lock ECU 24, and the P / W ECU 25 are included in the body-based in-vehicle device.

  Meter ECU 26: Controls display of vehicle speed, engine water temperature, fuel remaining amount, various warnings and the like on a meter display based on sensor information or information from other in-vehicle devices.

  Navigation device 27: detects the current position of the vehicle and displays it on the electronic map data or provides route guidance to the destination.

  The meter ECU 26 and the navigation device 27 are included in the information display system in-vehicle device.

  The pre-air-conditioning mode control process included in the air-conditioning control program stored in the ROM 10b of the air-conditioner ECU 10 and repeatedly executed by the CPU 10a at a predetermined timing will be described with reference to FIG. First, it is determined whether or not a pre-air conditioning instruction signal from the portable device 30 has been received. When the pre air conditioning instruction signal is received (S11: Yes), the operation mode of the air conditioner is shifted to the pre air conditioning mode (S12).

  Next, based on the settings of the blowout temperature, the air volume, the intake air (inside air or outside air), and the air outlet corresponding to the pre air conditioning mode, the operation of the air conditioner 11 is controlled to start the pre air conditioning (S13). At this time, the compressor (compressor) 11b is driven by a motor 11a (in the case of a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle) and an engine 17 (in the case of an engine vehicle).

  Next, pre-air-conditioning mode transition information including the fact that it has shifted to the pre-air-conditioning mode is output to the above-described in-vehicle device via the communication I / F 10e and the in-vehicle LAN 35 (S14). In the pre-air-conditioning mode transition information, an initialization process for initializing the state of the in-vehicle device is executed, a self-diagnosis process for performing a self-diagnosis of each part of the in-vehicle device is executed, and the update function described above is executed. Includes at least one of them.

In the pre-air conditioning mode, it is determined whether or not the pre-air conditioning mode cancellation condition is satisfied using at least one of the following.
When the battery voltage detected by the battery voltage detection unit 32 falls below a predetermined voltage threshold, it is determined that the pre-air-conditioning mode release condition is satisfied.
-It determines with pre air-conditioning mode cancellation | release conditions having been satisfied, when predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) passes after transfering to pre air-conditioning mode.

Moreover, when the boarding detection part 31 detects that the user boarded the vehicle as follows, for example, it determines with pre air-conditioning mode cancellation | release conditions having been satisfied.
It is assumed that the user gets on when the door lock switch that detects the door lock state (unlock / lock) detects a change of lock → unlock.
It is assumed that the user gets on when the door switch that detects opening / closing of the door detects a change from door close to door open.
It is assumed that the user gets on when the seating sensor configured by the switch provided in the seating portion of the vehicle seat detects the user's seating.
Suppose that a user gets on when a camera installed so as to be able to take a picture of the interior of a vehicle photographs the presence of the user in the car.

  The above-described configuration includes a boarding detection unit that detects the presence or absence of the user's boarding, and determines that the pre-air-conditioning mode cancellation condition is satisfied when the boarding detection unit detects that the user has boarded the vehicle. .

  When the pre-air conditioning mode release condition is satisfied (S15: Yes), the pre-air conditioning is stopped (S16). Then, the pre-air conditioning mode is canceled and the operation mode before the transition is returned (S17). Next, it is determined whether or not the normal air conditioning mode transition condition is satisfied. In the present embodiment, when the boarding detection unit 31 detects that the user has boarded the vehicle, it determines that the normal air-conditioning mode transition condition is satisfied.

  When the normal air-conditioning mode transition condition is not satisfied (S18: No), next, the pre-air-conditioning mode cancellation including the cancellation of the pre-air-conditioning mode is released to the above-described in-vehicle device via the communication I / F 10e and the in-vehicle LAN 35. Information is output (S19). The pre-air-conditioning mode release information includes at least one of instructing the in-vehicle device to cancel the initialization process, instructing the in-vehicle device to cancel the self-diagnosis process, or instructing the execution of the update function described above. Yes. Thereby, although the user does not get on, the power consumption of the battery by executing (continuing) unnecessary processing can be suppressed. Thereafter, this process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the normal air-conditioning mode transition condition is satisfied (S18: Yes), the normal air-conditioning mode is shifted (S20). Next, normal air-conditioning mode transition information including the fact that it has shifted to the normal air-conditioning mode is output to the above-described in-vehicle device via the communication I / F 10e and the in-vehicle LAN 35 (S21). Thereafter, this process is terminated.

  In the above-described configuration, when the pre-air-conditioning mode release condition is established by detecting that the user has boarded the vehicle, the pre-air-conditioning mode release information indicates that the initialization process and the self-diagnosis process are continued. Is included.

  In the above-described processing, it is not necessary to determine whether the normal air conditioning mode transition condition is satisfied. In this case, steps S18, S20, and S21 are not executed, and pre-air-conditioning mode cancellation information is output.

FIG. 3 illustrates a vehicle state (particularly, a power supply state) according to the present invention in comparison with a conventional configuration. The vehicle state changes depending on the position of the ignition key or the operation state of the push start switch. Taking the position of the ignition key as an example, in the conventional configuration, the relationship between the position of the ignition key and the vehicle state (power supply state) is as follows.
+ B ON state: Power is supplied to each in-vehicle device from the power supply path directly connected to the battery with the ignition key in the OFF position. The security ECU for preventing vehicle theft normally operates, but the in-vehicle device that operates in the ACC ON state and the IG ON state operates in the standby state (or sleep state) that consumes less power than the normal operation. .
-ACC ON state: When the ignition key is at the ACC position, for example, a vehicle-mounted device whose starting condition is the ACC ON state, such as a radio or a navigation device, can normally operate.
-IG ON state: All in-vehicle devices can normally operate with the ignition key in the ON position.

  When the pre-air conditioning is performed, the vehicle state becomes the IG ON state. However, since the position of the ignition key or the operation state of the push start switch is “OFF”, power is supplied to the in-vehicle device that determines whether or not the IG is on based on the position of the key or the state of the switch. Is in a state that can not be started.

  On the other hand, in the configuration of the present invention, between the ACC ON state and the IG ON state, the key position or the switch state is not IG ON, but the pre-air conditioning state in which the vehicle state is the IG ON state is added. . This is a state in which the transition is made only when the user instructs pre-air-conditioning using the portable device 30 and can be said to be “a state before the user gets on board”.

  By adding the pre-air-conditioning state, at this time, the air-conditioner ECU 10 outputs pre-air-conditioning mode transition information having the same meaning as the key position or the switch being in the IG ON state to the on-vehicle device. Can operate regardless of the key position or the switch state.

  The pre-air-conditioning mode operation process in the in-vehicle device will be described with reference to FIG. Since the first vehicle state is the above-mentioned + B ON state, it is in a standby state (S31). When pre-air-conditioning mode transition information is acquired from the air conditioner ECU 10 via the in-vehicle LAN 35 (S32: Yes), it is assumed that the IG ON state has been established, and an initialization process (S33) for initializing the state of the in-vehicle device. Self-diagnosis processing for diagnosing whether each function or sensor / actuator connected to the in-vehicle device is operating normally (S34), data update processing for updating the in-vehicle device program or data to the latest state (S35) Are executed sequentially.

  When pre-air-conditioning mode release information is acquired from the air conditioner ECU 10 during or after execution of the above-described processes (S36: Yes), all the processes described above are stopped (S37), and the standby state is returned (S38).

  On the other hand, when the normal air-conditioning mode transition information is acquired (S36: No → S39: Yes), the above-described processes are continued, and thereafter, the normal operation state is shifted (S40).

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and the knowledge of those skilled in the art can be used without departing from the spirit of the claims. Various modifications based on this are possible.

1 Vehicle air conditioner 10 Air conditioner ECU
10a CPU (pre-air conditioning control unit)
10e Communication I / F (Pre-air conditioning information output unit)
11 Air conditioner (air conditioner)
12 DCM (receiver)
30 Mobile devices 35 Car LAN

Claims (7)

An air conditioning unit for air conditioning the interior of the vehicle;
A receiving unit that receives a pre-air conditioning instruction signal for operating the air-conditioning unit in a pre-air-conditioning mode that is a predetermined air-conditioning mode from a portable device possessed by a user outside the vehicle;
A pre-air conditioning control unit for operating the air-conditioning unit in the pre-air-conditioning mode when the receiving unit receives the pre-air-conditioning instruction signal;
When the air conditioning unit starts operation in the pre-air conditioning mode, a pre-air conditioning information output unit that outputs pre-air conditioning mode transition information including a transition to the pre-air conditioning mode to an in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle;
A vehicle air conditioner comprising:   The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the pre-air conditioning mode transition information includes causing the in-vehicle device to execute an initialization process for initializing a state of the in-vehicle device.   The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pre-air conditioning mode transition information includes causing the in-vehicle device to execute a self-diagnosis process for performing a self-diagnosis of each part of the in-vehicle device.   The pre-air-conditioning information output unit outputs pre-air-conditioning mode cancellation information including canceling the transition to the pre-air-conditioning mode when a predetermined pre-air-conditioning mode cancellation condition is satisfied. The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 3 to 4. A battery voltage detector for detecting a voltage of a battery mounted on the vehicle;
The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the pre-air-conditioning mode release condition is satisfied when a voltage of the battery detected by the battery voltage detection unit is lower than a predetermined voltage threshold value.   6. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the pre-air-conditioning mode release information includes the fact that the in-vehicle device causes the initialization process to be stopped.   The vehicle air conditioner according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the pre-air-conditioning mode cancellation information includes the fact that the in-vehicle device causes the self-diagnosis process to be stopped.

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