JP3114368B2 - Solar radiation sensor for vehicle air conditioning - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a solar radiation sensor used for controlling air conditioning of a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the solar radiation correction in the control of an automobile air conditioner controls the outlet, the outlet temperature and the amount of the outlet air in accordance with not only the solar radiation intensity but also the solar radiation direction (solar elevation angle and solar azimuth angle). A solar radiation sensor capable of detecting both the solar radiation intensity and the solar radiation direction (for example, JP-A-63-141)
No. 816, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-52208).

[0003]

However, in the conventional solar radiation sensor 100, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example, a transparent filter 101 on a bowl, an X-axis, a Y-axis, Photoelectric conversion elements 102 to 104 three-dimensionally arranged so as to face different directions in the polar coordinate expression of the Z axis, and these photoelectric conversion elements 1
It comprises a base 105 for fixing 02 to 104 and the like. As a result, there is a problem that the amount of the vehicle protruding from the dashboard 106 is high and the appearance of the vehicle is poor in design. Therefore, in order to improve the appearance of the attachment of the solar radiation sensor to the dashboard, it is conceivable to arrange the solar radiation sensor below the surface of the dashboard of the automobile, but at a low altitude (low elevation solar radiation) with a low solar altitude. Sometimes the dashboard wall gets in the way,
There is a possibility that the rate of reaching the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements is reduced and the sensor sensitivity is reduced. The present invention is directed to a vehicle air conditioner capable of preventing a decrease in sensor sensitivity even when sunlight enters a light-transmitting filter from a low altitude at a low solar altitude while improving the appearance of an attached state to a dashboard. The purpose is to provide a solar radiation sensor.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a vehicle air-conditioning solar radiation sensor disposed below a surface of a dashboard of a vehicle, comprising: a base held by the dashboard; A technical means comprising a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements which are arranged to be deviated rearward in the traveling direction of the vehicle and whose photoelectric conversion surfaces are inclined in different directions.

[0005]

Since the present invention is disposed below the surface of the dashboard of the vehicle, it does not protrude from the dashboard, and the appearance of the solar sensor attached to the dashboard is improved. Further, since the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged on the base so as to be deviated rearward in the traveling direction of the vehicle, the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements can easily reach the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements even when low-altitude sunlight enters. As a result, a decrease in sensor sensitivity is suppressed, so that it is possible to detect the solar radiation intensity and the solar radiation direction even when the solar altitude is low.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A solar radiation sensor for vehicle air conditioning according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a solar radiation sensor for automotive air conditioning, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing solar radiation intensity, solar elevation angle and solar azimuth angle to the automobile. The solar radiation sensor 1
A base 4 embedded in a recess 3 of a dashboard 2 which is used for controlling an automobile air conditioner and is installed on a front side in a traveling direction of the vehicle, and a first base 4 arranged on the base 4
To the third photoelectric conversion elements 5a to 5c and the first to third
It comprises a light transmitting filter 6 for protecting the photoelectric conversion elements 5a to 5c, and a light transmitting filler 7 provided in the light transmitting filter 6. The recess 3 of the dashboard 2 is open on the upper surface of the dashboard 2.

[0007] The base 4 is provided at the upper end of the shaft tube portion 8 held by the dashboard 2 in a state of being fitted into the recess 3, and has a diameter larger than that of the shaft tube portion 8. A disk portion 9 formed in the recess 3
It is held on the dashboard 2 in a state where it is placed on the dashboard 2. Further, the disk portion 9 forms a protruding portion 11 protruding upward on the rear side in the traveling direction of the automobile.

Each of the first to third photoelectric conversion elements 5a to 5c is made of, for example, a photodiode, an amorphous solar cell, or the like, and has a photoelectric conversion surface formed in a diamond shape. The first and second photoelectric conversion elements 5a and 5b are arranged on the protruding portion 11, and the photoelectric conversion surfaces are inclined at the same front with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle. Also, the first and second photoelectric conversion elements 5a,
5b is arranged symmetrically inclined in the left-right direction such that each photoelectric conversion surface is directed slightly toward the center (slightly opposite side). The third photoelectric conversion element 5c is arranged on the disk portion 9 on the rear side in the traveling direction of the vehicle, and the photoelectric conversion surface is arranged on the disk portion 9 in the horizontal direction.

The light transmissive filter 6 is a resin molded product of a fixed thickness such as polycarbonate, and covers the periphery of the first to third photoelectric conversion elements 5a to 5c. The light-transmitting filter 6 includes a top plate 12 provided on the same plane as the upper surface of the dashboard 2, and a cylindrical portion 13 extending below the outer peripheral edge of the top plate 12. The distal end portion of the cylindrical portion 13 is joined to the outer peripheral edge of the disk portion 9 by means such as an adhesive. The light-transmitting filler 7 is made of the first
To third photoelectric conversion elements 5a to 5c and light transmitting filter 6
And a transparent resin having a refractive index larger than that of air (n = 1).

Next, the operation of the solar radiation sensor 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, assuming that the sunlight sensor 1 receives sunlight of the solar radiation intensity I from the directions of the solar elevation angle θ and the solar radiation azimuth φ, as shown in FIG. in the first to third photoelectric conversion element 5a~5c arranged at different angles, each of the output currents i _a, i _b, i _c will come naturally determined.
Here, the forward inclination angles of the first and second photoelectric conversion elements 5a, 5b are θ _S = 30 ° (see FIG. 1B), and the left-right angle is φ _S =
When ± 30 ° {FIG 1 (A) see}, the output current i _a of the first to third photoelectric conversion element bodies 5a to 5c, i _b, i _c, as in equation (1) below - [Number 3 ] Is represented.

[0011]

(Equation 1)

(Equation 2)

(Equation 3)

In this embodiment, the light-transmitting filler 7 having a refractive index n> 1 is filled between the light-transmitting filter 6 and the first to third photoelectric conversion elements 5a to 5c. ,
As shown in FIG. 2, the sunlight entering the light-transmitting filter 6 from a very low altitude (low elevation angle) also receives the sunlight intensity by utilizing the refraction of the light passing through the light-transmitting filler 7. I, the solar elevation angle θ, and the solar azimuth angle φ can be detected. The calculation formulas of the solar radiation intensity I, the solar radiation elevation angle θ, and the solar radiation azimuth φ of the sunlight entering the light transmitting filter 6 from such a very low altitude are as shown in the following [Equation 4] to [Equation 7]. Will be corrected. Here, the refractive index is n and the elevation angle after refraction is θ ′.
And

[0013]

(Equation 4)

(Equation 5)

(Equation 6)

(Equation 7)

By embedding the solar radiation sensor 1 in the recess 3 so that the solar radiation sensor 1 does not protrude from the dashboard 2, the appearance of the solar radiation sensor 1 attached to the dashboard 2 is improved. Then, the first to third photoelectric conversion elements 5a to 5c are arranged as rearwardly as possible with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle so that sunlight can easily reach all the first to third photoelectric conversion elements 5a to 5c. Thus, even when the solar altitude is low and low, the solar radiation intensity I, the solar radiation elevation angle θ,
The solar azimuth angle φ can be detected.

By setting the refractive index of the light transmitting filter 6 and the refractive index of the light transmitting filler 7 to be substantially equal, the refractive index between the light transmitting filter 6 and the light transmitting filler 7 is set. Can eliminate the effects of
More accurate solar radiation intensity I, solar elevation angle θ, solar radiation azimuth angle φ
Can be detected.

[Second Embodiment] Next, the solar radiation elevation angle θ and the solar radiation intensity when the light-transmitting filler 7 is not filled between the first to third photoelectric conversion elements 5a to 5c and the light-transmitting filter 6 I, the formula for calculating the solar azimuth angle φ is as follows:
0].

[0017]

(Equation 8)

(Equation 9)

(Equation 10)

[Modification] In this embodiment, the photoelectric conversion surfaces of the first to third photoelectric conversion elements 5a to 5c are formed in a rhombic shape, but the photoelectric conversion surfaces can be freely formed in a square, rectangular, circular or the like. The design may be changed.

[0019]

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the sensor sensitivity of the solar radiation sensor from being lowered even at a low altitude where the solar altitude is low. In addition, since it is prevented from jumping out of the dashboard, the appearance can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a plan view showing a solar radiation sensor for automotive air conditioning according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a solar radiation intensity, a solar elevation angle, and a solar azimuth angle to a vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a conventional solar radiation sensor for vehicle air conditioning.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 solar radiation sensor 2 dashboard 4 base 5a first photoelectric conversion element 5b second photoelectric conversion element 5c third photoelectric conversion element 6 light-transmitting filter 7 light-transmitting filler

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A vehicle air-conditioning solar radiation sensor disposed below a surface of a dashboard of a vehicle, comprising: (a) a base held by the dashboard; and (b) a vehicle mounted on the base. A solar air-conditioning sensor for a vehicle air conditioner, comprising: a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements that are arranged to be deviated rearward in a traveling direction, and each photoelectric conversion surface is inclined in a different direction.