JP2015155225A - Vehicle heater device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle heater device which can relieve the tension of a driver and enhance the safety in driving.

SOLUTION: A vehicle heater device 100 comprises: heater electrodes 106, 108 provided to a steering wheel 104 and functioning as a heater; a first device 118 to detect a vehicle driving state; a drive trigger transmission part 120 to transmit a prescribed trigger signal 132 when the detected vehicle driving state indicates danger; and a heater control part 114 to drive the heater upon receiving the trigger signal.

COPYRIGHT: (C)2015,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle heater device that controls a heater provided in a vehicle.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as a vehicle heater device, an apparatus including a heater provided on a steering wheel held by a driver and a heater control unit that controls the heater is known. Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle heater device to which a heater function is added by a heating element that covers a steering wheel.

  In Patent Literature 1, when the driver performs a switch operation, the heating element connected to the battery is energized, and after a predetermined time, the energization is stopped. According to Patent Document 1, it is possible to prevent the steering wheel from being heated more than necessary by executing this control.

  The vehicle heater device described in Patent Literature 2 includes a heater control unit that controls a heater provided on the steering wheel, a heart rate detection unit that detects a heartbeat of the driver, and an ignition switch detection unit. The ignition switch detection unit outputs an ignition signal for a predetermined time when the ignition is ON. While the ignition signal is input, the heater control unit drives the heater to heat the contact portion between the electrode of the heart rate detection unit and the hand.

  According to Patent Document 2, by heating the contact portion between the electrode of the heart rate detection unit and the hand, sweating of the hand is promoted, the contact resistance of the contact portion is stabilized in a low state, and the reliability of the measurement result of the heart rate signal is trusted. Trying to improve.

JP 09-76922 A JP 2000-23929 A

  By the way, if the driving state of the vehicle is dangerous, the driver becomes nervous. In particular, immediately after encountering a dangerous driving situation and avoiding the danger, the driver is considered to be in an excessive tension state. If the driver is overly tensioned, safe driving may be hindered. For this reason, it is preferable that the driver is relaxed after the danger is avoided.

  The inventors of the present invention have focused on the fact that when a person is in a tension state, the temperature at the end of a limb or the like decreases, and when the temperature at the end is increased in a tension state, the tension is alleviated.

  In Patent Document 1, the heater is driven by a switch operation by the driver. In Patent Document 2, the heater is driven by an ignition signal that is output for a predetermined time when the ignition is ON. In other words, in the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the heater is not driven from the viewpoint of relieving the driver's tension, it is difficult to improve driving safety.

  In view of such a problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle heater device that can reduce driver's tension and improve driving safety.

  In order to solve the above problems, a typical configuration of a vehicle heater device according to the present invention includes a heater provided in a vehicle, a first device that detects a driving state of the vehicle, and a detected driving state of the vehicle. A drive trigger transmission unit that transmits a predetermined trigger signal when the signal is dangerous, and a heater control unit that drives the heater when the trigger signal is received are provided.

  According to the above configuration, the heater can be driven when the driving state of the vehicle is dangerous. Accordingly, it is possible to warm a driver who has fallen into a tension state and whose end temperature such as limbs has decreased, promote relaxation of the tension, and improve driving safety.

  The heater may include a heater electrode that is provided on the steering wheel of the vehicle and generates heat when energized. Thus, since the heater electrode is provided in the steering wheel which a driver | operator hold | grips, when a dangerous driving | running state is encountered, a driver | operator's hand can be warmed and relaxation of tension | tensile_strength can be accelerated | stimulated.

  The heater may include a heater electrode that is provided on a vehicle seat and generates heat when energized. As described above, since the heater electrode is provided on the seat on which the driver is seated, when the driver encounters a dangerous driving state, the driver's feet can be warmed and relaxation of the tension can be promoted.

  The first device is a heart rate detection unit that detects a driver's heart rate. The drive trigger transmission unit transmits a trigger signal when the heart rate rises from a normal value within a predetermined short time. The heater control unit When the increased heart rate returns to the normal value, the driving of the heater may be stopped. Thereby, when a driver | operator's tension | tensile_strength is eased, a heater can be stopped and a driver | operator is not heated unnecessarily.

  The vehicle heater device may further include a second device that detects an indication that the driver gets on the vehicle, and the drive trigger transmission unit may transmit a trigger signal when the indication is detected. Thus, the heater can be driven before the driver gets on the vehicle. Therefore, according to the said structure, since a heater is already warmed when a driver | operator starts a driving | operation, comfort can be improved.

  The vehicle heater device may further include a timer that measures the driving time of the heater, and the heater control unit may stop driving the heater when the driving time measured by the timer has passed a predetermined time. Thereby, since the drive time of a heater can be restrict | limited, a driver | operator is not warmed too much.

The vehicle heater device may further include an ignition of the vehicle, and the heater control unit may stop driving the heater if the ignition is OFF after the heater driving time has elapsed for a predetermined time. In this way, even when a sign that the driver gets into the vehicle is detected and the heater driving time has elapsed for a predetermined time, if the ignition is OFF, the driver is not likely to drive. . In the above configuration, since the heater drive can be stopped in such a case, it is not necessary to drive the heater unnecessarily, and power consumption can be suppressed.

  Said 2nd device is a door switch, Comprising: A drive trigger transmission part is good to receive the logic change of the door switch accompanying a door opening operation | movement, and to transmit a trigger signal. Thus, when the driver performs the door opening operation, that is, before the driver gets on the vehicle, the heater can be reliably driven.

  The second device is a remote control key capable of transmitting an unlock command signal to the vehicle, receiving a radio wave from the vehicle and transmitting a reflected wave to the vehicle to inform the vehicle of the distance from the vehicle, The drive trigger transmission unit may transmit a trigger signal when the distance between the remote control key and the vehicle is within a predetermined distance or when an unlock command signal transmitted from the remote control key toward the vehicle is received. Thus, when the driver with the remote control key approaches the vehicle, or when the unlock command signal is transmitted by operating the remote control key, that is, before the driver gets on the vehicle, the heater can be driven reliably. .

  Said 2nd device is a communication terminal, Comprising: A drive trigger transmission part is good to transmit a trigger signal, if the operation command signal by wireless communication is received from a communication terminal. Thus, the heater can be reliably driven by transmitting the operation command signal using the communication terminal before the driver gets on the vehicle.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to provide the heater device for vehicles which can ease a driver | operator's tension | tensile_strength and can improve the safety | security of a driving | operation.

It is a functional block diagram which illustrated the heater device for vehicles in a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which illustrated a part of vehicle heater device of FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the vehicle heater device of FIG. 1. It is the functional block diagram which illustrated the heater device for vehicles in the 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which illustrated a part of heater device for vehicles of Drawing 4. It is the figure which illustrated the state which transmits the trigger signal in the heater apparatus for vehicles of FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the vehicle heater device of FIG. 4. It is the functional block diagram which illustrated the heater device for vehicles in the 3rd embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not illustrated. To do.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a vehicle heater device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a part of the vehicle heater device of FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the vehicle heater device 100 includes a steering wheel 104 that is gripped with both hands by an occupant 102 who is a driver of the vehicle. The steering wheel 104 has a left-hand electrode (heater electrode 106) provided on the left side in the vehicle width direction exemplified by an arrow L in the drawing, and a right-hand electrode (heater electrode 108) provided on the right side in the vehicle width direction. These heater electrodes 106 and 108 are conductors located on the surface of the steering wheel 104, are insulated from each other, and generate heat when energized.

  The vehicle heater device 100 includes a heater power supply 110, switching elements 112a and 112b, and a heater control unit 114. The heater electrodes 106 and 108 generate heat when supplied with power from the heater power supply 110 and function as heaters.

  The switching elements 112a and 112b are provided in the middle of the circuit from the heater power supply 110 to the heater electrodes 106 and 108, respectively. The switching elements 112a and 112b are field effect transistors (FETs), and the control signals 116a and 116b from the heater control unit 114 are turned on or off between the heater power supply 110 and the heater electrodes 106 and 108, respectively. Turn on the power. That is, the heater control unit 114 can set whether or not to cause the heater electrodes 106 and 108 to generate heat by controlling the switching elements 112a and 112b, and can drive or stop the heater.

  Furthermore, the vehicle heater device 100 includes a first device 118, a drive trigger transmission unit 120, a storage unit 122, and a timer 124. The first device 118 is a device that detects the driving state of the vehicle. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first device 118 includes a heart rate detection unit (heart rate monitor 118 a), a steering angle sensor 118 b, an acceleration sensor 118 c, a camera 118 d, a radar 118 e, and an ABS (Antilock Brake System) control unit in the ECU 126. 118f and posture control unit 118g.

  The heart rate monitor 118a detects the heart rate of the driver 102, the driver, and generates a signal 128a indicating that the heart rate has suddenly increased when the heart rate increases from a normal value to a predetermined value in a predetermined short time. The signal 128a is output to the drive trigger transmission unit 120. The normal value of the heart rate may be an average value obtained by detecting the heart rate for a predetermined time, and may be stored in the storage unit 122, for example. Further, a threshold for determining that the heart rate has rapidly increased, that is, a predetermined short time and a predetermined value, may also be stored in the storage unit 122. In this way, the heart rate monitor 118a can read the normal value and the threshold value from the storage unit 122 while detecting the heart rate, and generate the signal 128a indicating that the heart rate has rapidly increased.

  The steering angle sensor 118b outputs a signal 128b to the drive trigger transmission unit 120 when it detects a sudden handle. When the acceleration sensor 118c detects a sudden brake, the acceleration sensor 118c outputs a signal 128c to the drive trigger transmission unit 120. When the camera 118d detects that the vehicle ahead is suddenly approaching, the camera 118d outputs a signal 128d to the drive trigger transmission unit 120.

  The radar 118e outputs a signal 128e to the drive trigger transmission unit 120 when detecting the jump of a pedestrian. When the ABS control unit 118f operates the ABS control, the ABS control unit 118f outputs a signal 128f to the drive trigger transmission unit 120. The posture control unit 118g outputs a signal 128g to the drive trigger transmission unit 120 when a side slip is detected.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the drive trigger transmission unit 120 includes a logic circuit 130 that is an OR circuit. When at least one of the signals 128a to 128g is input, the logic circuit 130 generates a trigger signal 132 for driving the heater. When the heater control unit 114 receives the trigger signal 132 as illustrated in FIG. 1, the heater control unit 114 controls the switching elements 112 a and 112 b by the control signals 116 a and 116 b to energize the heater power supply 110 and the heater electrodes 106 and 108. Then, the heater is driven. The timer 124 measures the heater driving time.

  Here, the signals 128a to 128g indicate that the driving state of the vehicle is dangerous. If the driving state of the vehicle is dangerous, the occupant 102 becomes nervous. In particular, immediately after encountering a dangerous driving situation and avoiding the danger, the occupant 102 is considered to be in an excessive tension state. And if the passenger | crew 102 falls into the excessive tension | tensile_strength state, there exists a possibility of causing trouble in safe driving. Therefore, it is preferable that the occupant 102 is relaxed immediately after the danger is avoided.

  In the present embodiment, when a person enters a tension state, the person reduces the tension of the occupant 102 by focusing on the physiological phenomenon that the temperature at the end of the limbs and the like decreases and the tension at the end increases in the tension state. From the viewpoint, the heater is driven. Hereinafter, the operation of driving or stopping the heater will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the vehicle heater device 100 of FIG. First, the heater control unit 114 turns off the switching elements 112a and 112b, turns off the heater electrodes 106 and 108, and stops the heater (step S100). Next, the heater control unit 114 determines whether or not the trigger signal 132 is received from the drive trigger transmission unit 120 (step S102).

  When the trigger signal 132 is received in step S102 (Yes), the heater control unit 114 turns on the switching elements 112a and 112b, energizes the heater electrodes 106 and 108, and drives the heater (step S104). On the other hand, if the trigger signal 132 has not been received in step S102 (No), the process returns to step S100.

  Next, the heater control unit 114 determines whether or not the heater driving time measured by the timer 124 has passed a predetermined time (step S106). When the predetermined time has passed (Yes), the heater control unit 114 returns to step S100. Stop driving the heater. Thereby, since the drive time of a heater can be restrict | limited to predetermined time, the passenger | crew 102 is not heated too much.

  On the other hand, if the heater drive time has not elapsed in step S106 (No), the process of step S104 is continued. In addition, what is necessary is just to store predetermined time used as the threshold value of determination in step S106 in the memory | storage part 122 previously. In this way, the heater control unit 114 can read the threshold value from the storage unit 122 and execute the process of step S106.

  In the process of step S106, only the heater driving time is exemplified as the condition for stopping the heater driving. However, the condition is not limited to this, and the heart rate detected by the heart rate monitor 118a may be used as the condition. As an example, the heater control unit 114 may stop the driving of the heater when receiving a signal indicating that the heart rate rapidly increased from the heart rate monitor 118a has returned to the normal value. In this way, the heater control unit 114 can stop the heater when the heart rate of the occupant 102 returns to the normal value and the tension is alleviated, so the occupant 102 is not unnecessarily warmed.

  The first device 118 may employ an electroencephalogram monitor that detects an electroencephalogram as biological information, not limited to the heart rate, and may detect an increase in sympathetic nerve based on the electroencephalogram. A rise in sympathetic nerve indicates that the occupant 102 is nervous and excited. Therefore, the drive trigger transmission part 120 may transmit the trigger signal 132, when the signal which shows the raise of a sympathetic nerve is received from an electroencephalogram monitor.

  The vehicle heater device 100 according to the first embodiment can drive the heater provided on the steering wheel 104 held by the occupant 102 when the driving state of the vehicle is dangerous. Therefore, according to the heater device 100 for a vehicle, the passenger | crew 102's hand which encountered the dangerous driving | running state and fell into the tension | tensile_strength can be warmed, relaxation of tension | tensile_strength can be accelerated | stimulated and driving | operation safety | security can be improved.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating a vehicle heater device 100A according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a part of the vehicle heater device 100A of FIG.

  The vehicle heater device 100A is different from the vehicle heater device 100 according to the first embodiment in the following points. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the vehicle heater device 100 </ b> A uses a single heater electrode 134 common to the steering wheel 104 </ b> A as a heater in place of the two heater electrodes 106 and 108. The vehicle heater device 100 </ b> A includes a second device 136 instead of the first device 118, and further includes an ignition 138.

  The vehicle heater device 100A includes a heater power supply 110A, a switching element 112c, and a heater control unit 114A. The heater electrode 134 generates heat when supplied with power from the heater power supply 110A, and functions as a heater. The heater control unit 114A can drive or stop the heater by controlling the switching element 112c with the control signal 116c.

  Further, the vehicle heater device 100A includes a second device 136, a drive trigger transmission unit 120A, and a storage unit 122A. Examples of the second device 136 include a door switch 136a, a remote control key 136b such as a smart entry key, and a communication terminal 136c such as a smartphone, as illustrated in FIG. The door switch 136a, the remote control key 136b, and the communication terminal 136c are used to detect signs that the occupant 102 gets into the vehicle, and output signals 140a to 140d to the drive trigger transmission unit 120A, respectively.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the drive trigger transmission unit 120A includes a logic circuit 130A that is an OR circuit. When at least one of the signals 140a to 140d is input, the logic circuit 130A generates a trigger signal 132A that drives the heater. When the heater control unit 114A receives the trigger signal 132A as illustrated in FIG. 4, the heater control unit 114A controls the switching element 112c by the control signal 116c to energize the heater power supply 110A and the heater electrode 134 to drive the heater. To do. The timer 124A measures the heater driving time. The ignition 138 is turned on when the motor of the vehicle is started, and is turned off when the motor is not started.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the trigger signal 132A is transmitted in the vehicle heater device 100A of FIG. FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams schematically illustrating operations when the door switch 136a and the remote control key 136b are used and when the communication terminal 136c is used.

  The door switch 136a is set such that the logical value changes depending on the door opening / closing operation of the vehicle 200. As an example, the logical value of the door switch 136a changes from “H” to “L” if the switch is turned on by the door opening operation. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the door switch 136a outputs a signal 140a to the drive trigger transmission unit 120A when detecting the door opening operation.

  The signal 140a is input to the door switch detection unit 142 that also serves as the drive trigger transmission unit 120A. When the door switch detection unit 142 detects a logical change accompanying the door opening operation by the signal 140a, the door switch detection unit 142 transmits a trigger signal 132A to the heater control unit 114A. When receiving the trigger signal 132A, the heater control unit 114A drives the heater. Accordingly, when the occupant 102 performs the door opening operation, that is, before the occupant 102 gets on the vehicle 200, the heater can be reliably driven.

  The remote control key 136b is, for example, a passive tag type device, and can notify the vehicle 200 of the distance from the vehicle 200 by receiving a radio wave from the vehicle 200 and transmitting a signal 140b that is a reflected wave to the vehicle 200. It is. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the signal 140b is input to the key control unit 144 that also serves as the drive trigger transmission unit 120A. If it is determined by the signal 140b that the distance between the remote control key 136b and the vehicle 200 is within a predetermined distance, the key control unit 144 transmits a trigger signal 132A to the heater control unit 114A. Thus, the heater can be reliably driven when the occupant 102 having the remote control key 136b approaches the vehicle 200, that is, before the occupant 102 gets into the vehicle 200.

  The remote control key 136b allows the occupant 102 to transmit a signal 140c that is an unlocking command signal to the vehicle 200. The signal 140c is input to the key control unit 144 as illustrated in FIG. Upon receiving the signal 140c, the key control unit 144 transmits a trigger signal 132A to the heater control unit 114A. Thus, when the occupant 102 operates the remote control key 136b to transmit the signal 140c that is an unlocking command signal, that is, before the occupant 102 gets on the vehicle 200, the heater can be driven reliably.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the communication terminal 136c can transmit a signal 140d, which is an operation command signal, to the vehicle 200A through wireless communication. The communication terminal 136c can output the signal 140d to the drive trigger transmission unit 120A through the route exemplified by the dotted line A. In this case, the signal 140d is input to the wireless communication unit 146 that also serves as the drive trigger transmission unit 120A. Upon receiving the signal 140d, the wireless communication unit 146 transmits a trigger signal 132A to the heater control unit 114A.

  Here, it is assumed that the vehicle 200 </ b> A is, for example, an electric vehicle and is charged at a charging stand 148. The charging stand 148 includes a charging device 150 and a wireless base station 152. The charging device 150 is connected to the radio base station 152 via the power line 154a, and is connected to the charge management unit 156 in the vehicle 200A via the power line 154b.

  The communication terminal 136c can output the signal 140d to the drive trigger transmission unit 120A through the route exemplified by the dotted line B. In this case, the signal 140 d is input to the wireless communication unit 146 via the wireless base station 152. Upon receiving the signal 140d, the wireless communication unit 146 transmits a trigger signal 132A to the heater control unit 114A.

  The communication terminal 136c can output the signal 140d to the drive trigger transmission unit 120A through the path exemplified by the dotted line C. In this case, the signal 140d is input to the charge management unit 156 that also serves as the drive trigger transmission unit 120A by power line communication (PLC) after passing through the radio base station 152. That is, the signal 140d is transmitted from the radio base station 152 to the charging device 150 via the power line 154a, and further input to the charge management unit 156 via the power line 154b.

  Upon receiving the signal 140d, the charge management unit 156 transmits a trigger signal 132A to the heater control unit 114A. Thus, before the occupant 102 gets into the vehicle 200A, the heater 140 can be reliably driven by transmitting the signal 140d, which is an operation command signal, using the communication terminal 136c.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the vehicle heater device 100A of FIG. First, the heater control unit 114A turns off the switching element 112c, deenergizes the heater electrode 134, and stops the heater (step S200). Next, the heater control unit 114A determines whether or not the trigger signal 132A is received from the drive trigger transmission unit 120A (step S202).

  When the trigger signal 132A is received in step S202 (Yes), the heater control unit 114A turns on the switching element 112c, energizes the heater electrode 134, and drives the heater (step S204). On the other hand, if the trigger signal 132A is not received in step S202 (No), the process returns to step S200.

  The heater control unit 114A determines whether or not the heater driving time measured by the timer 124A has passed a predetermined time (step S206). In addition, what is necessary is just to store beforehand the predetermined time used as the threshold value of determination in step S206 in the memory | storage part 122A. When the heater driving time elapses in step S206 (Yes), the heater controller 114A determines whether or not the ignition 138 is ON (step S208).

  If the predetermined time has not elapsed in step S206 (No), or if the ignition 138 is ON in step S208 (Yes), the heater control unit 114A returns to the process in step S204, and the heater Continue to drive. On the other hand, when the ignition 138 is OFF in step S208 (No), the heater control unit 114A returns to the process of step S204 and stops driving the heater.

  In the vehicle heater device 100A according to the second embodiment, when an indication that the occupant 102 gets into the vehicle is detected using the second device 136, the heater provided on the steering wheel 104A is driven. Therefore, according to the vehicle heater device 100A, when the occupant 102 gets into the vehicle and starts driving, the heater is driven and warmed, so that the comfort of the occupant 102 can be improved by heating.

  Even if the second device 136 detects a sign of boarding and the heater driving time has elapsed for a predetermined time, if the ignition is OFF, the occupant 102 is not likely to drive. In the vehicle heater device 100 </ b> A, when the ignition is OFF, the heater driving can be stopped. Therefore, the heater need not be driven unnecessarily, and power consumption can be suppressed.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram illustrating a vehicle heater device 100B according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle heater device 100B is different from the vehicle heater device 100 according to the first embodiment in the following points. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the vehicle heater device 100 </ b> B is provided with heater electrodes 160 and 162 provided on the vehicle seat 158 instead of the two heater electrodes 106 and 108. The vehicle heater device 100 </ b> B includes a second device 136 in addition to the first device 118, and further includes an ignition 138.

  The vehicle heater device 100B includes a heater power supply 110B, switching elements 112d and 112e, and a heater control unit 114B. The heater electrode 160 is provided on a seat cushion 164 on which the occupant 102 is seated. The heater electrode 162 is provided on the seat back 162 with which the back of the occupant 102 contacts. The heater control unit 114B can drive or stop the heater by controlling the switching elements 112d and 112e with the control signals 116d and 116e.

  Further, the vehicle heater device 100B includes a first device 118, a second device 136, a drive trigger transmission unit 120B, and a storage unit 122B. When at least one of the signals 128a to 128g from the first device 118 and the signals 140a to 140d from the second device 136 is input, the drive trigger transmission unit 120B transmits a trigger signal 132B that drives the heater.

  When the heater control unit 114B receives the trigger signal 132B as illustrated in FIG. 8, the heater control unit 114B controls the switching elements 112d and 112e by the control signals 116d and 116e to energize the heater power supply 110B and the heater electrodes 160 and 162. Then, the heater is driven.

  As described above, the signals 128a to 128g indicate that the driving state of the vehicle is dangerous. The signals 140a to 140d indicate signs that the occupant 102 gets into the vehicle. That is, the heater control unit 114B drives the heater when a dangerous driving state is encountered and the occupant 102 enters a tension state, or when there is an indication that the occupant 102 gets into the vehicle.

  After driving the heater, the heater control unit 114B determines whether or not the heater driving time measured by the timer 124B has passed a predetermined time, and whether or not the ignition 138 is ON. Then, the heater control unit 114B stops the driving of the heater according to the determination result as described above. The heater control unit 114B may appropriately read the threshold value from the storage unit 122B when executing a predetermined determination process.

  In the vehicle heater device 100B according to the third embodiment, by using the first device 118 and the second device 136, in addition to when the driving state of the vehicle is dangerous, before the occupant 102 gets into the vehicle, The heater can be driven. Therefore, according to the vehicle heater device 100B, not only does the tension of the occupant 102 be eased and driving safety is improved, but the heater is driven and warmed when the occupant 102 starts driving. Can also be improved.

  Further, in the vehicle heater device 100B, since the heater is provided in the vehicle seat 158, the feet and back of the occupant 102 can be warmed. Therefore, according to the vehicle heater device 100B, relaxation of tension can be further promoted, and comfort can be further improved.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments described above are preferred examples of the present invention, and other embodiments can be implemented by various methods. Can be carried out. The invention is not limited to the detailed shape, size, configuration, and the like of the components shown in the accompanying drawings unless otherwise specified in the present specification. In addition, expressions and terms used in the present specification are for the purpose of explanation, and are not limited thereto unless otherwise specified.

  Therefore, it is obvious for those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood.

  The present invention can be used in a vehicle heater device that controls a heater provided in a vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100, 100A, 100B ... Vehicle heater device, 102 ... Passenger, 104, 104A ... Steering wheel, 106, 108, 134, 160, 162 ... Heater electrode, 110, 110A, 110B ... Heater power supply, 112a-112e ... Switching element 114, 114A, 114B ... heater control unit, 116a to 116e ... control signal, 118 ... first device, 118a ... heart rate monitor, 118b ... rudder angle sensor, 118c ... acceleration sensor, 118d ... camera, 118e ... radar, 118f ... ABS control unit, 118g ... posture control unit, 120, 120A, 120B ... drive trigger transmission unit, 122, 122A, 122B ... storage unit, 124, 124A, 124B ... timer, 126 ... ECU, 128a-128g, 140a-140d ... Signal, 130, 1 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 0A ... Logic circuit, 132, 132A, 132B ... Trigger signal, 136 ... Second device, 136a ... Door switch, 136b ... Remote control key, 136c ... Communication terminal, 138 ... Ignition, 142 ... Door switch detection unit, 144 ... Key control 146 ... Wireless communication unit 148 ... Charging stand 150 ... Charging device 152 ... Wireless base station 154a, 154b ... Power line 156 ... Charge management unit 158 ... Vehicle seat 164 ... Seat cushion 166 ... Seat Back, 200, 200A ... Vehicle

Claims (10)

A heater provided in the vehicle;
A first device for detecting a driving state of the vehicle;
A drive trigger transmitter for transmitting a predetermined trigger signal when the detected driving state of the vehicle is dangerous;
A vehicle heater device comprising: a heater control unit that drives the heater when receiving the trigger signal.   The vehicle heater device according to claim 1, wherein the heater includes a heater electrode that is provided on a steering wheel of the vehicle and generates heat when energized.   The vehicle heater device according to claim 1, wherein the heater includes a heater electrode that is provided on a vehicle seat and generates heat when energized. The first device is a heart rate detection unit that detects the heart rate of the driver,
The drive trigger transmission unit transmits the trigger signal when the heart rate rises from a normal value in a predetermined short time,
4. The vehicle heater device according to claim 1, wherein the heater controller stops driving the heater when the increased heart rate returns to a normal value. 5. The vehicle heater device further includes a second device that detects an indication that the driver gets on the vehicle,
5. The vehicle heater device according to claim 1, wherein the drive trigger transmission unit transmits the trigger signal when the indication is detected. 6. The vehicle heater device further includes a timer for measuring a driving time of the heater,
6. The vehicle heater device according to claim 1, wherein the heater control unit stops driving of the heater when a driving time measured by the timer elapses a predetermined time. 6. . The vehicle heater device further includes a vehicle ignition,
7. The vehicle heater device according to claim 5, wherein the heater control unit stops driving the heater if the ignition is OFF after the heater driving time has elapsed for a predetermined time. 8. The second device is a door switch,
8. The vehicle heater device according to claim 5, wherein the drive trigger transmission unit transmits the trigger signal in response to a logical change of the door switch accompanying a door opening operation. 9. . The second device is capable of transmitting an unlocking command signal to the vehicle, and receives a radio wave from the vehicle and transmits a reflected wave to the vehicle to notify the vehicle of the distance from the vehicle. There,
When the distance between the remote control key and the vehicle is within a predetermined distance, or when the unlock command signal transmitted from the remote control key to the vehicle is received, the drive trigger transmission unit outputs the trigger signal. The vehicle heater device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the heater is transmitted. The second device is a communication terminal,
8. The vehicle heater device according to claim 5, wherein the drive trigger transmission unit transmits the trigger signal when receiving an operation command signal by wireless communication from the communication terminal. 9.

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