JP4120384B2 - Vehicle air conditioner with ion generator - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator that blows air containing ions into a passenger compartment.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, an ion generator having both a relaxation effect, a sterilization effect, and a deodorization effect is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This ion generator operates in a refresh mode that generates negative ions when you want a relaxation effect, and in a clean mode that generates positive ions and negative ions simultaneously when you want to get sterilized and deodorized. Switch.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-216933 [0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, when a passenger who has caught a cold coughs in the vehicle, the bacteria (virus) in the vehicle increases. However, since the ion generator described in the above publication does not take into account the increase of bacteria due to cough, when this ion generator is applied to a vehicle air conditioner, the passenger compartment Cannot be sterilized properly.
[0005]
The present invention provides a vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator that can efficiently disinfect a vehicle interior.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator according to the present invention includes an air conditioning unit that generates conditioned air, a ventilation path that guides the conditioned air generated by the air conditioning unit into the vehicle interior, and at least sterilized ions for obtaining a sterilizing effect. Is determined based on the number of coughs detected by the ion generator, the cough detecting means for detecting the occupant's cough , and the cough detecting means detected by the cough detecting means. And an ion control unit that controls the ion generator so as to generate sterilized ions when the determination unit determines that the occupant has a cold.
[0007]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, based on the number of times of the detected occupant cough, to determine whether the passenger has a cold, when the occupant is determined to have a cold, sterilization in the passenger compartment ions Therefore, it is possible to efficiently sterilize cold bacteria in the passenger compartment.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator according to an embodiment of the present invention. At the entrance of the duct 3 of the air conditioning unit 100, a blower fan 4 that rotates by driving of the blower motor 5 is disposed. When the blower fan 4 rotates, the inside air or the outside air is sucked into the duct 3 and is cooled through the evaporator 1. This cooling air passes through the heater core 2 according to the opening degree of the air mix door 7 and is heated, or bypasses the heater core 2 with the cooling air remaining. The air that has passed through and bypassed the heater core 2 is mixed in the air mix chamber 8 downstream of the heater core 2 to obtain conditioned air at a predetermined temperature. The conditioned air is supplied from a center vent outlet provided at the center of the instrument panel, side vent outlets provided at the left and right ends, a foot outlet provided at the lower portion, and a defrost outlet provided near the front window. It is blown into the passenger compartment from the exit.
[0009]
An ion generator 10 is disposed in the middle of the air duct 12 that connects the air mix chamber 8 and the side vent outlet 11b on the driver's seat side. The ion generator 10 is a so-called plasma ion generator that generates ions in the air by discharge between electrodes. The mode mainly refreshes the passenger (refresh mode) and the mode that mainly disinfects and deodorizes the passenger compartment. The operation mode can be switched between (clean mode and deodorization mode). For example, negative ions (referred to as relaxation ions) are generated in the refresh mode, and negative ions and positive ions (referred to as sterilization ions) are generated simultaneously in the clean mode. Such a configuration is known in the field of household air purifiers, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Since ions have a characteristic that they tend to disappear when they collide with a wall such as a duct, the ion generator 10 is preferably arranged as close to the outlet 11b as possible in order to efficiently blow out the ions into the passenger compartment. The operation of the ion generator 10 is controlled by a signal from the ion control circuit 30 as described later.
[0010]
Driving of the blower motor 5, the inside / outside air switching door 6, the air mix door 7, etc. is controlled by the air conditioning controller 20. For example, when a fan-on signal is input by operating the passenger's air conditioning panel 21, a control signal is output to the blower motor 5 to drive the blower motor 5, and when a fan-off signal is input, driving of the blower motor 5 is stopped. The air conditioning controller 20 receives not only the air conditioning panel 21 but also signals from various sensors (such as a vehicle interior temperature sensor and an outside air temperature sensor) that detect the vehicle state. Based on these information, the air conditioning controller 20 determines the blower motor 5. , Controls the drive of the inside / outside air switching door 6, the air mix door 7, and the like.
[0011]
The ion control circuit 30 is connected to an air conditioning controller 20, an odor sensor 31 that detects the odor level in the passenger compartment, and a voice recognition circuit 32 that recognizes voice in the passenger compartment. The odor sensor 31 is mounted, for example, on the driver's seat side instrument panel so as to face the passenger compartment, and detects the odor level by reading the change in conductivity due to the adsorption of the odor substance. The instrument panel is provided with a microphone 33 that captures the voice in the vehicle, and the voice recognition circuit 32 detects the presence or absence of a passenger's cough based on the voice picked up by the microphone 33. The ion control circuit 30 executes the following processing based on these signals and outputs a control signal to the ion generator 10.
[0012]
2 and 3 are flowcharts showing an example of processing executed by the ion control circuit 30. FIG. This flowchart is started by, for example, turning on an ignition switch, and is continuously executed at predetermined intervals dt. As shown in FIG. 2, first, in step S1, it is determined whether or not a fan-on signal has been input, that is, whether or not the fan 4 has just started. If step S1 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S2, and the initial clean mode operation time t0 is set to the clean mode operation remaining time t. Here, the operating time t0 is a time required to sterilize a certain number of germs in the passenger compartment (for example, N0-N1 in FIG. 4). In step S <b> 3, it is determined whether or not an occupant's cough has been detected based on a signal from the voice recognition circuit 32.
[0013]
If step S3 is negative, that is, if a passenger's cough is not detected, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the above-mentioned predetermined interval dt, that is, the time dt required from the previous processing to the current processing is subtracted from the remaining clean mode operation time t (t-dt), and this is newly added to the remaining clean mode operation time t. Set to. Next, in step S5, it is determined whether or not the remaining operation time t set in step S4 is 0 or less. If step S5 is negative, the process proceeds to step S6, where a control signal is output to the ion generator 10 to operate the ion generator 10 in the clean mode. If step S5 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S7, and it is determined from the signal from the odor sensor 31 whether or not the odor level α in the passenger compartment is equal to or greater than a predetermined value α1. Here, the predetermined value α1 is set to a value that a general person feels a strange odor. If step S7 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S6, and if not, the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, a control signal is output to the ion generator 10 to operate the ion generator 10 in the refresh mode. Next, the remaining operation time t is set to 0 in step S9.
[0014]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that it is not immediately after the fan-on signal is input, the process proceeds to step S18. In step S18, it is determined whether or not a fan-off signal is input. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S19, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S19, a control signal is output to the ion generator 10 to stop the operation of the ion generator 10.
[0015]
If step S3 is positive, that is, if a passenger's cough is detected, the process proceeds to step S10 in FIG. In step S10, it is determined whether or not the cough timer is in operation. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S11. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S11 and the process proceeds to step S12. In step S11, the cough timer is started. In step S12, it is determined whether or not the cough timer has counted a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute). When step S12 is denied, it progresses to step S13, 1 is added and updated to the number of coughs, and it progresses to step S4. If step S12 is affirmative, that is, if it is determined that the cough timer has counted one minute or longer, the process proceeds to step S14.
[0016]
In step S14, it is determined whether or not the number of coughs detected in one minute is a predetermined number n or more. Here, n is a reference value for identifying whether or not the occupant has a cold. When the number of coughs is n times or more, it is determined that the occupant has a cold. If step S14 is positive, the process proceeds to step S16, and if negative, the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the cough timer is reset, and the process proceeds to step S4 in FIG. In step S16, a value obtained by adding the predetermined time Δt to the remaining operation time t is newly set as the remaining operation time t. Next, in step S17, the cough timer is reset, and the process proceeds to step S4 in FIG.
[0017]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described more specifically.
When the ignition switch is turned on and a fan-on signal is input (time ta in FIG. 4), the inside air or outside air is sucked into the air conditioning unit 100, and the ion generator 10 starts operating in the clean mode (step S6). . As a result, sterilization ions are generated in the air duct 12, and are blown out into the passenger compartment together with the conditioned air. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the number of germs in the passenger compartment gradually decreases from the value N0 before boarding.
[0018]
At this time, if the cough is not detected or the number of coughs detected per minute is less than n times, it is determined that the occupant is not cold and the remaining operation time t is not extended. In this state, when a predetermined time t0 has elapsed from the start of the operation of the fan 4, the remaining operation time t becomes 0, and the number of germs in the passenger compartment decreases to the target value N1 as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 3 (time tb). Thereby, the operation mode of the ion generator 10 is switched from the clean mode to the refresh mode (step S8). As a result, relaxation ions are blown out into the passenger compartment, and the passenger can be relaxed. If the odor level α exceeds the predetermined value α1 while the ion generator 10 is operating in the refresh mode, the ion generator 10 is switched to the clean mode (step S7 → step S6). Thereby, disinfecting ions are blown out into the passenger compartment, and the passenger compartment can be deodorized.
[0019]
On the other hand, when the ion generator 10 is operating in the clean mode, when the number of coughs detected per minute becomes n times or more (time tc), it is determined that the occupant has a cold, and the predetermined time Δt is set as the remaining operation time t. Addition is performed (step S16). As a result, the clean mode operation time is extended by the predetermined time Δt, and the number of bacteria in the passenger compartment increased by coughing as shown by the solid line in FIG. 3 can be reduced to the target value N1 (time td).
[0020]
Further, when the ion generator 10 is operating in the refresh mode, when the number of coughs detected per minute becomes n times or more (time te), it is determined that the occupant has a cold, and the predetermined time Δt is set as the remaining operation time t. It is set (step S16). Thereby, the ion generator 10 is switched from the refresh mode to the clean mode, and it is possible to reduce the cold bacteria in the vehicle. When the predetermined time Δt has elapsed (time tf), the ion generator 10 is switched from the clean mode to the refresh mode. When the cough of n times or more is detected during the clean mode operation, the predetermined time Δt is added to the remaining clean time t at that time (step S16). Therefore, even if the predetermined time Δt elapses, the mode is not switched to the refresh mode, and the clean mode operation is continued until cough is no longer detected (for example, time tg).
[0021]
According to the present embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) While the ion generator 10 is operating in the clean mode, if the cough is detected n or more times per minute, the operation time of the ion generator 10 is extended by a predetermined time Δt from the remaining operation time t. did. As a result, it is possible to efficiently sterilize cold germs generated during clean mode operation, and to protect passengers from cold viruses.
(2) When the ion generator 10 is operated in the refresh mode, if the cough is detected n times or more per minute, the ion generator 10 is operated for a predetermined time Δt in the clean mode. This makes it possible to efficiently sterilize cold bacteria even during the refresh mode operation.
(3) When the number of coughs reaches a predetermined number of times n or more per minute, it is determined that the occupant has a cold and sterilization ions are generated. There is no waste. Further, it is possible to sterilize the cold bacteria that have occurred in the vehicle without detecting the state of germs in the vehicle with a sensor or the like, and the configuration is easy.
(4) When the fan-on signal is input, the ion generator 10 starts to operate in the clean mode, so that the number of germs in the vehicle can be reduced immediately after the occupant gets on the vehicle.
(5) The operation mode is changed from the clean mode to the refresh mode when a predetermined time t0 has elapsed from the start of the operation of the ion generator 10, in other words, relaxation ions are generated when generation of sterilization ions is not necessary. Since it did in this way, a relaxation effect can be exerted on a passenger | crew in the state which disinfected the vehicle interior.
(6) Since the ion generator 10 is operated and stopped with the operation and stop of the blower fan 4, the ion generator 10 can be operated efficiently.
[0022]
Note that the extension time or generation time of the sterilization ions when n or more coughs are detected per minute may be changed according to the number of coughs instead of the constant value Δt. In this case, the time Δt may be lengthened as the number of coughs increases. In the above embodiment, the ion generator 10 having the clean mode and the refresh mode is used. However, the refresh mode may not be provided as long as at least the clean mode is provided. The ion generator 10 is operated for a certain time t0 at the start of the operation of the fan 4, but the number of bacteria in the passenger compartment is detected by a sensor or the like, and ions are generated when the detected value is a predetermined value (for example, N0) or more. The apparatus 10 may be operated for a predetermined time t0. Also in this case, when the cough is detected, the remaining clean mode operation time t may be extended as described above. Moreover, you may operate the ion generator 10 by manual operation. The predetermined number n, which is a threshold value for determining the necessity of generation of sterilization ions, may be manually changeable. In this case, when a person with a large number of coughs is occupant, n may be set large.
[0023]
In the above description, the ion generating device 10 is arranged in the air duct 12, but the ion generating device 10 may be arranged in another air blowing path. Although the microphone 33 and the voice recognition circuit 32 detect the cough of the occupant, the cough detection means may be configured by other configurations. The necessity of sterilization ion generation is determined based on whether or not n or more coughs have been detected within a certain time (1 minute). Whether or not it is necessary may be determined. If it is determined that generation of sterilization ions is necessary by detection of cough, the generation of sterilization ions does not necessarily have to be separated by time, and the ion control circuit 30 as an ion control means. However, the ion generator 10 may be controlled in any way. That is, as long as the features and functions of the present invention can be realized, the present invention is not limited to the vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator according to the embodiment.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart (part 1) showing an example of processing related to operation control of the ion generator of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart (part 2) showing an example of processing related to operation control of the ion generator of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of operating characteristics of the vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
4 Blower fan 10 Ion generator 11b Side vent outlet 12 Air duct 20 Air conditioning unit 30 Ion control circuit 32 Voice recognition circuit 33 Microphone 100 Air conditioning unit

Claims (5)

An air conditioning unit that generates conditioned air; and
A ventilation path for guiding the conditioned air generated by the air conditioning unit into the vehicle interior;
An ion generator that generates at least sterilization ions for obtaining a sterilization effect in the air blowing path;
And cough detection means for detecting an occupant cough,
Determination means for determining whether the occupant has a cold based on the number of coughs of the occupant detected by the cough detection means,
Ion control means for controlling the ion generator so as to generate the sterilization ions when it is determined by the determination means that the occupant has a cold. Air conditioner. In the vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator according to claim 1,
The air conditioner with an ion generator is characterized in that the determination means determines that the occupant has a cold when the number of coughs detected by the cough detection means exceeds a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time. apparatus. In the vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator according to claim 1 or 2,
The ion control means controls the ion generator so as to generate the sterilization ions for at least a predetermined time from when it is determined by the determination means that an occupant has a cold. Air conditioner for vehicles with equipment. In the vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator according to claim 3,
The ion control means controls the ion generator so as to generate the sterilization ions for a predetermined initial time when the air conditioning unit starts to operate, and the occupant detects a cold by the determination means before the initial time elapses. If it is determined that the ion generating device is being pulled, the ion generating device is controlled to extend the generation time of the sterilizing ions by the predetermined time. In the vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The ion generator is capable of separately generating sterilization ions and relaxation ions for obtaining a relaxation effect, and the ion control means determines that the occupant does not catch a cold by the determination means. A vehicle air conditioner with an ion generator, wherein the ion generator is controlled so as to generate the relaxation ions.

Images