JP4010282B2 - Air conditioner for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner that controls the temperature in a passenger compartment. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technique for improving comfort in a passenger compartment by suppressing discomfort given to passengers by a heat source existing around the passenger. Involved.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a vehicle air conditioner that performs air conditioning control according to the surface temperature of an occupant is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Conventional vehicle air conditioners use a non-contact temperature sensor and are affected by internal temperature corresponding parts (for example, ceilings) whose surface temperature changes substantially corresponding to the temperature in the passenger compartment, and the temperature outside the passenger compartment. Detecting the temperature of the part corresponding to the outside air temperature (for example, side glass and rear glass) where the surface temperature changes, and the part corresponding to the solar radiation (for example, occupant's clothes and seat) where the surface temperature changes due to the influence of solar radiation, Appropriate room temperature control is performed according to the inside temperature, outside temperature, and amount of solar radiation.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-199217
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since conventional vehicle air conditioners control only the surface temperature of the occupant, if there is a heat source having radiant heat around the occupant due to the influence of solar radiation, outside air temperature, etc., the surface of the occupant It takes a lot of time for the temperature to reach a predetermined target value, and during that time, the passenger does not feel comfortable because of the heat source and the feeling of tingling and tingling. Conversely, in order to reduce the time required for the surface temperature of the occupant to reach a predetermined target value, when the wind is directly applied to a part such as the occupant's face, the wind directly hits the face depending on the occupant. You may remember discomfort.
[0005]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle air conditioner that improves comfort in a passenger compartment when a heat source is present around an occupant. .
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, a vehicle air-conditioning apparatus according to the present invention is mounted on a vehicle and captures a thermal image in a passenger compartment to acquire thermal image data, and the thermal image data. Using the thermal image data acquired by the acquisition means, the temperature detection means for measuring the surface temperature of the occupant, the temperature of the part that affects the occupant's thermal sensation, and the temperature in the passenger compartment, and the temperature detection means Based on the measured temperature and the set temperature, the air-conditioning state determining means for determining the air outlet position, the air temperature, and the air volume, and the air blowing air direction are controlled based on the temperature measured by the temperature detecting means. A wind direction control means, wherein the wind direction control means has a temperature difference between a temperature of a part that affects the temperature sensation of the occupant and a surface temperature of the occupant equal to or greater than a predetermined value, or the temperature sensation of the occupant To affect And the temperature of the boss portion, the temperature difference between the temperature of the vehicle interior is when it becomes a specific value or more, the influence site warming of the occupant, to control the balloon wind direction so as to direct cooling or heating .
[0007]
【The invention's effect】
According to the vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention, when there is a heat source having radiant heat near the occupant, the wind direction control means controls the wind direction so that the temperature-controlled wind is directly applied to the heat source. The influence of the radiant heat on the occupant can be suppressed, and the comfort in the passenger compartment when the heat source exists around the occupant can be improved.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0009]
[Configuration of vehicle air conditioner]
First, with reference to FIG. 1, the structure of the vehicle air conditioner which becomes one Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.
[0010]
As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an IR (infrared) camera 1, a microcomputer 2, a wind direction control device 3, and a state control device 4 as main components.
[0011]
The IR camera 1 acquires thermal image data in the passenger compartment. Here, the thermal image data acquired by the IR camera 1 is an image having a higher density value as the surface temperature is higher. The IR camera 1 may be installed at a position where all the passengers in the vehicle can be seen in one image, or the IR camera 1 is installed for each seat in the vehicle to acquire an image for each passenger. Also good. In this embodiment, the occupant sitting at least on the driver's seat and the passenger seat is copied using one IR camera 1.
[0012]
The microcomputer 2 performs image processing on the thermal image data acquired by the IR camera 1 to identify the seat on which the occupants 20 and 21 (see FIG. 2) are sitting, and the occupant's faces 20a and 21b (see FIG. 2). ) To detect the representative temperature of the face. In addition, the microcomputer 2 detects the temperature of a part of the vehicle interior (for example, the driver's seat side glass 22a, the passenger seat side glass 23a, the rear glass 26, a trim, etc., see FIG. 2) where the temperature changes due to external factors. The microcomputer 2 inputs the detected temperature value to the wind direction control device 3 and the state control device 4.
[0013]
Based on the temperature value detected by the microcomputer 2, the wind direction control device 3 controls the wind direction of air so that the temperature-adjusted air hits a heat source having radiant heat. The state control device 4 determines the air outlet position, the air temperature, and the air volume based on the temperature value detected by the microcomputer 2 and the temperature (set temperature) set by the passenger.
[0014]
Here, FIG. 3 shows a functional representation of this vehicle air conditioner, in which the thermal image data acquisition means 11 is the IR camera 1, temperature detection means 12 (occupant temperature detection means 121, ambient temperature detection means). 122 and room temperature detection means 123) correspond to the microcomputer 2, the wind direction control means 14 corresponds to the wind direction control device 3, and the air conditioning state determination means 13 corresponds to the state control device 4, respectively.
[0015]
[Operation of vehicle air conditioner]
Next, the operation of the vehicle air conditioner (air conditioning control process) will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0016]
The flowchart shown in FIG. 4 starts when the power supply of the vehicle air conditioner is turned on, and the air conditioning control process proceeds to step S1.
[0017]
In the process of step S1, the microcomputer 2 executes an initialization process for returning counters and flags used for the subsequent processes to the initial setting state. Thereby, the process of step S1 is completed, and the air conditioning control process proceeds from the process of step S1 to the process of step S2.
[0018]
In the process of step S2, the microcomputer 2 controls the IR camera 1 to acquire thermal image data in the passenger compartment in a processing area (for example, RAM) and detects the temperature in the predetermined area. More specifically, in the process of step S2, the microcomputer 2 specifies the location of each detection target based on the installation position of the IR camera 1, and detects the detection target (such as an occupant) from the temperature distribution within a predetermined area. Is present in the predetermined area. When the detection target exists in the predetermined area, the microcomputer 2 detects a temperature value such as an average temperature or a maximum temperature in the predetermined area as a representative temperature of the predetermined area.
[0019]
Here, in this embodiment, the microcomputer 2 includes the temperature T _HD of the head 20a of the driver's occupant, the temperature T _HP of the head 21a of the passenger's occupant, and the temperature T of the driver's side glass 22a shown in FIG. _WD, the temperature _{T WP} passenger side side window 23a, and detects the temperature _{T R} of the ceiling 28 to be used as cabin temperature. In this embodiment, the microcomputer 2 has been detected temperature T _R of the ceiling 8 as cabin temperature, set up a temperature detecting means such as an inside air temperature sensor in the vehicle interior, vehicle detection value of the temperature detecting means It may be the room temperature. Thereby, the process of step S2 is completed, and the air conditioning control process proceeds from the process of step S2 to the process of step S3.
[0020]
In the process of step S3, the state control device 4 performs the vehicle auto-detection such as the air outlet position, the air temperature, and the air volume based on the temperature of each part detected in the process of step S2 and the temperature set by the occupant. The basic air conditioning state (mode) of the air conditioner is determined (for details, refer to Patent Document 1 described above), and wind is sent out in the determined air conditioning state. Thereby, the process of step S3 is completed, and the air conditioning control process proceeds to the process of step S4.
[0021]
In the process of step S4, the wind direction control device 3 determines whether or not the wind should be directly applied to a part of the passenger compartment where the temperature changes due to an external factor (wind direction determination process). More specifically, the wind direction control device 3 determines that the cold wind should be directly applied when the temperature TWD of the driver side glass 22a is higher than the predetermined value T _High , and the warm wind should be directly applied when the temperature _TWD is lower than the predetermined value T _Low. To do. Here, the wind direction control device 3 may determine the difference between the temperature T _R of the temperature T _WD and the ceiling 28 of the driver's seat side side window 22a is a should shed directly wind when a predetermined value T _Diff. Also, the wind direction control unit 3 discriminates the difference T _Diff between the temperature T _HD between the temperature T _WD of the driver's seat side side window 22a driver seat occupant's head 20a is a should shed directly wind if it is greater than a predetermined value May be. Since the process on the passenger seat side is the same as the process on the driver seat side described above, the description regarding the process on the passenger seat side will be omitted, and only the process on the driver seat side will be described below. Thereby, the process of step S4 is completed, and the air conditioning control process proceeds from the process of step S4 to the process of step S5.
[0022]
In the process of step S5, the wind direction control device 3 outputs a control signal based on the result of the determination process of step S4 to control the wind direction. More specifically, when it is determined that it is not necessary to directly apply wind to the driver side glass 22a having heat due to the influence of the outside air temperature, the wind direction control device 3 includes the center benches 31 and 32 and the side bench shown in FIG. 30 and 33 and a blower outlet (not shown) are used to control the wind direction so that a normal auto air conditioner state is achieved. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is necessary to apply wind to the driver side glass 22a having heat due to the outside air temperature, the wind direction control device 3 reduces the amount of air sent from the driver side center bench 31 shown in FIG. Then, the wind direction is controlled so as to increase the amount of air sent from the driver's seat side side bench 30.
[0023]
6A, when the louver 34 is attached to the driver's seat side bench 30 and the passenger seat side bench 33, the wind direction control device 3 includes the driver seat side glass 22a and the passenger seat side bench. The louver 34 is controlled so that the wind directly hits the 33. On the other hand, when the louver 34 is not attached to the driver side side bench 30 and the passenger side side bench 33, as shown in FIG. 6B, a shielding plate 35 for blocking a part of the wind passage is necessary. Accordingly, the driver side side glass 30a and the passenger side side glass 23a are controlled so as to be exposed to the back side of the driver side side bench 30 and the passenger side side bench 33 so that the wind can easily hit the driver side side glass 22a and the passenger side side glass 23a. Good. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, a driver seat side window outlet 36 may be installed at the upper part of the trim of the driver seat side door 22 so that the wind directly hits the driver seat side glass 22 a. Thereby, the process of step S5 is completed, and the wind direction control process proceeds from the process of step S5 to the process of step S6.
[0024]
In the process of step S6, the wind direction control device 3 determines whether or not an output end condition for the control signal is satisfied. Here, the output end condition of the control signal may be determined based on the passage of time in order to continue the wind direction control in the same state for a certain period. More specifically, the wind direction control device 3 satisfies the output termination condition when the predetermined time t has elapsed from the start of the control or when the determination process of step S4 is performed and it is determined that the wind direction control is unnecessary. It is good to distinguish. If the output termination condition is satisfied as a result of the determination, the wind direction control device 3 returns the wind direction control process from the process of step S6 to the process of step S2. On the other hand, if the output end condition is not satisfied, after the microcomputer 2 performs the temperature detection process of each part similar to the process of step S2 as the process of step S7, the wind direction control process is performed again in step S6. Return to.
[0025]
As is clear from the above description, according to the vehicle air conditioner of one embodiment of the present invention, when there is a heat source having radiant heat near the occupant, the wind direction control device 3 actively uses the heat source. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the influence of radiant heat on the occupant and to improve the comfort of the passenger compartment when there is a heat source around the occupant.
[0026]
Moreover, according to the vehicle air conditioner which becomes one Embodiment of this invention, the microcomputer 2 measures the surface temperature of a passenger | crew, the temperature of the site | part which has radiant heat, and the temperature of a vehicle interior, The wind direction control apparatus 3 is Since the temperature in the passenger compartment is controlled based on the measured temperature, air conditioning control that matches the occupant's feeling can be performed.
[0027]
Furthermore, according to the vehicle air conditioner which is one embodiment of the present invention, the wind direction control device 3 is controlled to cool and heat the heat source according to the difference between the temperature of the heat source having radiant heat and the passenger surface temperature or room temperature. Therefore, comfortable air-conditioning control can be performed even when the occupant or the indoor state changes.
[0028]
Moreover, according to the vehicle air conditioner which becomes one Embodiment of this invention, since the wind direction control apparatus 3 suppresses a radiant heat in the optimal state for every seat, it can improve the comfort for every passenger | crew of a vehicle. .
[0029]
Furthermore, according to the vehicle air conditioner which is one embodiment of the present invention, the microcomputer 2 determines whether or not the occupant is present in the predetermined area, and the wind direction control device 3 is only in the space where the occupant exists. Since the wind direction control process is performed, the air conditioning efficiency can be improved.
[0030]
As mentioned above, although the embodiment to which the invention made by the present inventors was applied has been described, the present invention is not limited by the description and the drawings which form part of the disclosure of the present invention according to this embodiment. That is, it should be added that other embodiments, examples, operation techniques, and the like made by those skilled in the art based on this embodiment are all included in the scope of the present invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data acquisition area of the IR camera shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the vehicle air conditioner shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of air conditioning control processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an air outlet.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a wind direction control process according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an air outlet provided in a trim under a side glass.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... IR camera 2 ... Microcomputer 3 ... Wind direction control apparatus 4 ... State control apparatus 11 ... Thermal image data acquisition means 12 ... Temperature detection means 121 ... Passenger temperature detection means 122 ... Ambient temperature detection means 123 ... Room temperature detection means 13 ... State Determining means 14 ... Wind direction control means 20 ... Driver's seat occupant 20a ... Driver's seat occupant's head 21 ... Passenger's seat occupant 21a ... Passenger's seat occupant's head 22 ... Driver's seat side door 22a ... Driver's seat side glass 23 ... Passenger's seat side Door 23a ... Passenger side door side glass 24 ... Driver seat 25 ... Passenger seat 26 ... Rear glass 27 ... Rear seat 28 ... Ceiling 30 ... Driver side side bench 31 ... Driver side center bench 32 ... Passenger side center bench 33 ... Passenger seat side bench 34 ... Louver 35 ... Shield plate 36 ... Driver's seat window outlet 37 ... Passenger seat window outlet

Claims (2)

Thermal image data acquisition means mounted on a vehicle and capturing thermal image data by capturing a thermal image in the passenger compartment;
Using the thermal image data acquired by the thermal image data acquisition means, the temperature detection means for measuring the surface temperature of the occupant, the temperature of the part that affects the occupant's thermal sensation, and the temperature in the passenger compartment ,
Based on the temperature measured by the temperature detecting means and the set temperature, the air-conditioning state determining means for determining the air outlet position, the air temperature, and the air volume;
Wind direction control means for controlling the direction of air blown air based on the temperature measured by the temperature detection means,
When the temperature difference between the temperature of the part that affects the occupant's thermal sensation and the surface temperature of the occupant exceeds a predetermined value, or the temperature of the part that affects the occupant's thermal sensation And when the temperature difference between the passenger compartment and the vehicle interior exceeds a specific value , the blown air direction is controlled so as to directly cool or heat the portion that affects the occupant's thermal sensation. Vehicle air conditioner. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the portion that affects the occupant's warm feeling includes at least one of glass or trim of the vehicle.

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