JP6079653B2 - Air conditioning control device for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner that air-conditions a vehicle interior space, and more particularly to a vehicle air-conditioning control apparatus that controls an air conditioner incorporating a desiccant material for dehumidifying air.

  A vehicle such as an automobile is provided with an air conditioner that performs air conditioning of the vehicle interior space, such as cooling, heating, dehumidification, and ventilation. In such an air conditioner, during the cooling in the summer, the inside air (the air in the vehicle interior space) is circulated without introducing high temperature and humidity outside air (the air in the vehicle interior space). It is customary to introduce low outside air to prevent fogging of the windshield. However, when outside air is introduced in winter, the cabin temperature decreases and heating efficiency decreases, so vehicles with low heat generation, such as vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines with high thermal efficiency, hybrid vehicles that do not always drive internal combustion engines, and internal combustion in the first place In an electric vehicle or the like that does not have an engine, the inside air may circulate even during heating. However, if the inside air circulates during heating, the humidity of the inside air increases, so dehumidification is required. In that case, since dehumidification is generally performed using an evaporator, there is a disadvantage that fuel consumption and battery power are reduced to drive the evaporator, and there is extra energy to heat the conditioned air once cooled by the evaporator. There is a disadvantage that it is necessary.

  Therefore, it is known to incorporate a desiccant material (also referred to as a drying material or a dehumidifying material) for dehumidifying air into the air conditioner. If a desiccant material is used, the driving force for dehumidification becomes unnecessary and the conditioned air is not cooled. However, since the desiccant material has a limit in moisture absorption capacity, that is, it is saturated, it is necessary to periodically drain the absorbed moisture and regenerate the saturated desiccant material. In this regard, Patent Document 1 discloses that a desiccant material is carried on a disk that can pass air, and a dehumidifying side air passage through which the disk (desiccant rotor) passes through humid outside air and a regeneration side through which hot air for regeneration passes. A technique is disclosed in which moisture is absorbed and regenerated (humidified) of a desiccant material continuously by rotating between the air passage. However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires a large change in the air conditioner, which increases the weight and cost of the vehicle.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to apply the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2. That is, Patent Document 2 discloses the following vehicle air conditioner. A desiccant material is disposed in a conditioned air passage through which conditioned air flows during normal air conditioning, together with heating means such as a heater core and an electric heater, and during heating of the inside air circulation, the inside air passes through the heating means and the desiccant material, Dehumidified conditioned air is generated, and this conditioned air is blown out from the outlet toward the inner surface of the windshield. In addition, a flow path switching valve is disposed in front of the air outlet in the conditioned air passage, and when the desiccant material is regenerated, the inside air heated by the heating means is supplied to the desiccant material, and moisture is removed from the desiccant material. The warm air is discharged to the space outside the vehicle through the flow path switched by the flow path switching valve.

  According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, since the desiccant material is disposed in the existing air-conditioning air passage, a large-scale change of the air-conditioning apparatus is not required, and an increase in the weight and cost of the vehicle is suppressed. In addition, the heating means used to heat the inside air during heating of the inside air circulation is also used to prepare hot air for exhausting moisture from the desiccant material during regeneration of the desiccant material. The desiccant material can be regenerated with the desiccant material incorporated in the air conditioner.

JP 2011-110951 A JP 2012-224135 A

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, since the air-conditioning air passage and the heating means are used both for heating the inside air circulation and for regenerating the desiccant material, normal air conditioning cannot be performed when the desiccant material is regenerated. For this reason, during the regeneration of the desiccant material, the normal air conditioning stops and the passenger feels uncomfortable. Further, since the dehumidification cannot be performed during the regeneration of the desiccant material, the humidity of the inside air rises, causing discomfort to the occupant and making the windshield easily cloudy. On the other hand, if the regeneration of the desiccant material was delayed until the vehicle stopped and the occupant was absent, dehumidification could not be performed until then, and the humidity of the inside air also increased, causing the occupant to feel uncomfortable. The shield tends to become cloudy. In addition, it is inconvenient if the occupant is prompted to stop every time the desiccant material is regenerated.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an air-conditioning air passage and a heating means that are used for both heating of the inside air circulation and regeneration of the desiccant material, while preventing the passengers from feeling uncomfortable and uncomfortable while driving the vehicle. An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning control device for a vehicle that can regenerate a desiccant material while suppressing fogging of a shield.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to a vehicle air-conditioning control apparatus for controlling an air-conditioning apparatus for air-conditioning a vehicle interior space, and a heating means for heating air-conditioned air and a desiccant for dehumidifying Introduced air in the outside space of the vehicle, air-conditioning air passage where the material is disposed, defroster air outlet passage provided with a defroster air outlet for blowing the air-conditioned air that has passed through the air-conditioning air passage toward the inner surface of the windshield A defroster-exclusive passage communicating with the outside air introduction passage and the defroster outlet passage, and air in the vehicle interior space introduced into the conditioned air passage passes through the heating means and the desiccant material during heating of the internal air circulation. Then, the air flows into the defroster outlet passage to form a flow passage blown out from the defroster outlet, and when the desiccant material is regenerated, A flow path that forms a flow path that is discharged to the outside space of the vehicle after passing through the heating means and the desiccant material by blocking the flow of the air in the vehicle interior space into the defroster outlet passage. Forming means, and when the vehicle acceleration is equal to or greater than a predetermined acceleration reference value or when the vehicle deceleration is equal to or greater than a predetermined deceleration reference value, the flow path at the time of regeneration of the desiccant material is formed. Control means for controlling the flow path forming means.

  According to the present invention, during heating of the inside air circulation, the inside air introduced into the conditioned air passage passes through the heating means and the desiccant material, and then flows into the defroster outlet passage and is directed from the defroster outlet to the inner surface of the windshield. And blown out. On the other hand, at the time of regeneration of the desiccant material, the inside air introduced into the conditioned air passage is blocked from flowing into the defroster outlet passage, so that the inside air passes through the heating means and the desiccant material, and then the defroster outlet passage It is discharged to the outside space without flowing into the vehicle. That is, the desiccant material is disposed in the existing air-conditioning air passage, and the air-conditioning air passage and the heating means are used both for heating the inside air circulation and for regenerating the desiccant material. Therefore, a large-scale change of the air conditioner is not required, and an increase in the weight and cost of the vehicle is suppressed. Further, the desiccant material can be regenerated while the desiccant material is incorporated in the air conditioner.

  In this case, when the desiccant material is regenerated, the inside air that has passed through the heating means and the desiccant material does not flow into the defroster outlet passage, so that outside air flows into the defroster outlet passage from the outside air introduction passage through the defroster dedicated passage. Then, this outside air is blown out from the defroster outlet toward the inner surface of the windshield. Therefore, although normal air conditioning cannot be performed at the time of regeneration of the desiccant material, since the wind blows out from the defroster outlet, the uncomfortable feeling felt by the occupant is reduced.

  In addition, since the outside air blown out from the defroster outlet has low humidity, an increase in the humidity of the inside air is suppressed, and discomfort felt by the occupant is reduced, and clouding of the windshield is also effectively suppressed.

  Further, when the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle is greater than or equal to a predetermined reference value, in other words, when the vehicle behavior is relatively large, the desiccant material is regenerated. The desiccant material is regenerated during rapid acceleration or relatively rapid deceleration. Therefore, since the passenger is distracted by the vehicle behavior, it becomes even more difficult to feel uncomfortable.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the air-conditioning air passage and the heating means can be used both for heating the inside air circulation and for regeneration of the desiccant material, and without causing the passenger to feel uncomfortable or uncomfortable while the vehicle is running. In addition, a vehicle air-conditioning control device capable of regenerating the desiccant material while suppressing fogging of the windshield is provided.

  In the present invention, the control means may control the flow path forming means so that the flow path at the time of regeneration of the desiccant material is formed only when the acceleration of the vehicle is equal to or greater than the acceleration reference value. preferable.

  According to this configuration, the desiccant material is regenerated at the time of acceleration when the wind pressure of the outside air increases, so that a sufficient amount of outside air that increases at the time of acceleration flows into the defroster outlet passage through the defroster dedicated passage, and the defroster outlet Is blown out toward the inner surface of the windshield. As a result, the amount of outside air blown from the defroster outlet is ensured, the anti-fogging effect of the windshield is increased, and the defroster function (condensation prevention function) is ensured.

  In the present invention, the defroster exclusive passage preferably has higher airflow resistance than the conditioned air passage.

  According to this configuration, during the heating of the inside air circulation in which the inside air that has passed through the heating means and the desiccant material flows into the defroster outlet passage, the outside air flows into the defroster outlet passage through the dedicated defroster passage having a relatively high ventilation resistance. The ratio decreases, and the ratio of the inside air that has passed through the heating means and the desiccant material flowing into the defroster outlet passage through the conditioned air passage having a relatively low ventilation resistance increases. Therefore, the internal air circulation is sufficiently heated, and the comfort of the passenger's air conditioning feeling is not impaired.

  As described above, the present invention does not give an uncomfortable feeling or an uncomfortable feeling to the occupant while the vehicle is running, while the air-conditioning air passage and the heating means are used for both the heating of the inside air circulation and the regeneration of the desiccant material. In addition, the present invention provides a vehicle air-conditioning control device that can regenerate the desiccant material while suppressing fogging of the windshield. Therefore, the vehicle air-conditioning that controls the air-conditioning device incorporating the desiccant material for dehumidifying the air is provided. Contributes to the development and improvement of control technology.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the vehicle air conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention (at the time of heating of inside air circulation). It is a graph which shows the moisture absorption / humidity characteristic of the desiccant material incorporated in the said vehicle air conditioner. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the said vehicle air conditioner. It is a block diagram similar to FIG. 1 (at the time of reproduction | regeneration of a desiccant material). It is a flowchart which shows one example of the control action which the control unit of the said vehicle air conditioner performs.

(1) Overall Configuration FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an air conditioner 10 mounted on a vehicle 1 according to this embodiment. In the present invention, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” refer to the air flow in the air conditioner 10 unless otherwise specified.

(1-1) Basic Elements The air conditioner 10 is disposed at the front portion of the vehicle body 1a, and an extractor 1d that connects the vehicle interior space 1b and the vehicle exterior space 1c is disposed at the rear portion of the vehicle body 1a. The air conditioner 10 performs air conditioning of the vehicle interior space 2, and air-conditions the air in the vehicle interior space 1c, that is, the outside air introduction passage 11a for introducing the outside air into the air conditioner 10, and the air in the vehicle interior space 1b, that is, the inside air. And an inside air introduction passage 11 b for introduction into the apparatus 10.

  A main duct passage 11c is connected to the downstream ends of the outside air introduction passage 11a and the inside air introduction passage 11b, and a cooling passage 11d and a heating passage 11e are connected to the downstream ends of the main duct passage 11c. The main duct passage 11c and the heating passage 11e entirely correspond to the conditioned air passage of the present invention.

  Air outlet passages 11f and 11h are connected to downstream ends of the cooling passage 11d and the heating passage 11e. A plurality of air outlets 11g and 11i for blowing air (air conditioned air) cooled, heated, or dehumidified by the air conditioner 10 into the vehicle interior space 1b are provided at the downstream ends of the air outlet passages 11f and 11h. Although not shown in detail, as the air outlet 11g, a vent air outlet that blows air conditioned air toward the upper body of the front seat occupant, a heat air outlet that blows air conditioned air toward the feet of the front seat occupant, A rear vent outlet that blows air-conditioned air toward the upper body and a rear heat outlet that blows air-conditioned air toward the feet of passengers in the rear seat are provided. Moreover, the defroster blower outlet which blows off an air-conditioning wind from the downward toward the upper surface toward the inner surface of a front windshield (not shown) is provided as the blower outlet 11i.

  In the present embodiment, the air outlet passage 11h in which the defroster air outlet 11i is provided at the downstream end is particularly referred to as a defroster air outlet passage.

  A blower fan 12 and an evaporator 13 are disposed in the main duct passage 11c from the upstream side. A heater core 14 and a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater 15 are disposed in the heating passage 11e from the upstream side. Each of the heater core 14 and the PTC heater 15 corresponds to the heating means of the present invention.

  An inside / outside air switching damper 16 is disposed at the downstream end of the outside air introduction passage 11a and the inside air introduction passage 11b. The inside / outside air switching damper 16 is configured to be located at an arbitrary position between a position where the outside air introduction passage 11a is closed (inside air circulation position) and a position where the inside air introduction passage 11b is closed (outside air introduction position). . Thereby, the ratio of the opening degree of the outside air introduction passage 11a and the inside air introduction passage 11b is adjusted, and the mixing ratio of the outside air and the inside air of the conditioned air blown out from the air outlets 11g and 11i is variously adjusted.

  The blower fan 12 is arranged downstream of the inside / outside air switching damper 16 and is driven to generate conditioned air flowing from the outside air introduction passage 11a or the inside air introduction passage 11b toward the outlets 11g and 11i.

  The evaporator 13 is a heat exchanger for cooling, and is disposed downstream of the blower fan 12 to cool the conditioned air.

  A temperature control damper 17 is disposed at the upstream end of the cooling passage 11d and the heating passage 11e. The temperature control damper 17 is configured to be located at an arbitrary position between a position for closing the cooling passage 11d (heating position) and a position for closing the heating passage 11e (cooling position). Thereby, the ratio of the opening degree of the passage 11d for cooling and the passage 11e for heating is adjusted, and the temperature of the conditioned air blown from the outlets 11g and 11i is variously adjusted.

  Here, each of the inside / outside air switching damper 16 and the temperature control damper 17 corresponds to the flow path forming means of the present invention.

  The heater core 14 is a heat exchanger for heating, and is disposed downstream of the temperature control damper 17 to heat the conditioned air. In the heater core 14, engine coolant that can be used as a heat source for heating circulates inside.

  The PTC heater 15 is also a heat exchanger for heating, and is disposed downstream of the heater core 14 and further heats the conditioned air heated by the heater core 14. The PTC heater 15 is an electric heater that operates when supplied with electric power, and generates heat when electric power is supplied to a PTC element (positive characteristic thermistor) (not shown). The PTC heater 15 has a self-temperature control function that suppresses the amount of current by increasing the resistance value when the temperature rises due to heat generation during operation. On the other hand, the PTC heater 15 has a property that when the temperature is lowered during non-operation, the resistance value decreases and current flows easily, so that a large amount of current (inrush current) flows during cold start.

  The vehicle 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with an internal combustion engine (not shown) with high thermal efficiency. Therefore, while the fuel efficiency is excellent, the amount of heat generation is small, and therefore the temperature of the engine coolant circulating through the heater core 14 is relatively low. For this reason, the heater core 14 alone is insufficient as a heat source for heating. In order to compensate for this, the PCT heater 15 is used as an additional heating heat source.

(1-2) Additional elements In addition to the basic elements described above, the air conditioner 10 includes the following additional elements.

  A desiccant material 21 for dehumidifying the air is disposed upstream of the blower fan 12 in the main duct passage 11c. The desiccant material 21 will be described later.

  A regeneration internal air intake passage 22 is connected to the upstream end of the heating passage 11e. The regeneration internal air intake passage 22 is for taking the air in the vehicle interior space 1b into the air conditioner 10 when the desiccant material 21 is regenerated. A regeneration internal air intake damper 25 that opens and closes the regeneration internal air intake passage 22 is disposed at a connection portion of the regeneration internal air intake passage 22.

  The upstream end of the regenerating hot air passage 23 is connected to the downstream end of the heating passage 11e. The downstream end of the regeneration warm air passage 23 is connected to the upstream end of the main duct passage 11c. The regeneration warm air passage 23 is for supplying air heated by the heater core 14 and the PTC heater 15 to the desiccant material 21 when the desiccant material 21 is regenerated. A regeneration hot air damper 26 that opens and closes the regeneration hot air passage 23 is disposed at a connection portion at the upstream end of the regeneration hot air passage 23. The regeneration hot air damper 26 opens the air outlet passages 11f and 11h when the regeneration hot air passage 23 is closed (the state shown in FIG. 1), and when the regeneration hot air passage 23 is opened, the air outlet passage 11f and 11h is closed (state of FIG. 4).

  A regeneration exhaust passage 24 is connected to a portion of the main duct passage 11c between the blower fan 12 and the evaporator 13. The regeneration moisture passage 24 is for discharging the air that has passed through the desiccant 21 to the vehicle exterior space 1c when the desiccant 21 is regenerated. A regeneration moisture exhaust damper 27 that opens and closes the regeneration moisture exhaust passage 24 is disposed at a connection portion of the regeneration moisture exhaust passage 24. The regeneration-use moisture damper 27 opens the main duct passage 11c between the regeneration-use moisture passage 24 and the evaporator 13 (the state shown in FIG. 1) when the regeneration-use moisture passage 24 is closed. When the opening 24 is opened, the main duct passage 11c is closed between the regeneration-time dehumidification passage 24 and the evaporator 13 (state shown in FIG. 4).

  Here, the regeneration internal air intake damper 25, the regeneration hot air damper 26, and the regeneration exhaust moisture damper 27 correspond to the flow path forming means of the present invention.

  A temperature sensor 31 is disposed upstream of the desiccant material 21 in the main duct passage 11c.

  A defroster-dedicated passage 11j is provided between the outside air introduction passage 11a and the defroster outlet passage 11h. The defroster exclusive passage 11j is set to have a smaller cross-sectional area, that is, a flow area of air, than the other passages, that is, the main duct passage 11c, the heating passage 11e, and the outlet passages 11f and 11h. In other words, the defroster exclusive passage 11j is set so that the airflow resistance is higher than that of the main duct passage 11c, the heating passage 11e, and the outlet passages 11f and 11h.

(2) Desiccant material The desiccant material 21 used in this embodiment absorbs moisture in the air (moisture absorption) when the temperature is lower than a predetermined reference temperature, and discharges the moisture absorbed when the temperature is equal to or higher than the reference temperature (humidification). ). The reference temperature can be referred to as an absorption / exhaust moisture inversion temperature.

  FIG. 2 is a graph showing moisture absorption / exhaust characteristics of the desiccant material 21. In the figure, the solid line A indicates the time change of the temperature (input temperature) of the air supplied to the desiccant material 21, and the broken line B indicates the time change of the temperature of the air (output temperature) that has passed through the desiccant material 21. .

  When the input temperature A is equal to or higher than the reference temperature Ta (A ≧ Ta), the desiccant material 21 is dehumidified and is being regenerated. When the input temperature A is lower than the reference temperature Ta (A <Ta), the desiccant material 21 is absorbing moisture.

  The desiccant material 21 generates heat during moisture absorption. Therefore, during the moisture absorption of the desiccant material 21, the output temperature B becomes higher than the input temperature A (B> A).

  The desiccant material 21 stops generating heat when saturated. Therefore, when the desiccant material 21 is saturated, the input temperature A and the output temperature B become substantially equal (B≈A).

  As the desiccant material 21 used in the present embodiment, for example, silica gel, polyacrylic acid polymer or the like has a property of absorbing moisture when the temperature is lower than a predetermined reference temperature and exhausting when the temperature is higher than the reference temperature. If there is, it will not be specifically limited.

(3) Control System FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the vehicle air conditioner 10.

  The control unit 100 is a microprocessor having a known configuration including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and corresponds to the control means of the present invention.

  The control unit 100 inputs each signal from the operation panel 30 of the air conditioner 10, the temperature sensor 31, the ignition switch 32 of the internal combustion engine, and the vehicle speed sensor 33 that detects the traveling speed of the vehicle 1.

  The control unit 100 outputs control signals to the blower fan 12, the evaporator 13, the PTC heater 15, and the dampers 16, 17, 25, 26, and 27 of the air conditioner 10 based on the signals and the like.

(4) Control operation (4-1) During heating of inside air circulation During heating of inside air circulation, the control unit 100 positions the inside / outside air switching damper 16 at the inside air circulation position as shown in FIG. The damper 27 is positioned at the position where the main duct passage 11c is opened, the temperature control damper 17 is positioned at the heating position, the regeneration internal air intake damper 25 is positioned at the position where the regeneration internal air intake passage 22 is closed, and the regeneration is performed. The hot air damper 26 is positioned at the position where the hot air passage 23 is closed during regeneration. As a result, the inside air introduction passage 11b, the main duct passage 11c, the heating passage 11e, and the outlet passages 11f and 11h are opened, and the regeneration inside air intake passage 22, the regeneration hot air passage 23, and the regeneration exhaust moisture passage 24 are opened. Closes.

  Then, the control unit 100 drives the blower fan 12 with the strength according to the setting signal from the air conditioner operation panel 30 and operates the PTC heater 15 with the electric power according to the setting signal from the air conditioner operation panel 30. Let As a result, the air in the vehicle interior space 1b passes through the inside air introduction passage 11b, the main duct passage 11c, the heating passage 11e, and the outlet passages 11f and 11h, and is dehumidified by the desiccant material 21 between them, and the heater core 14 and the PTC The conditioned air heated by the heater 15 and set by the occupant operating the air conditioner operation panel 30 is blown out from the air outlets 11g and 11i into the vehicle interior space 1b and again introduced into the inside air introduction passage 11b.

  At this time, as described above, the defroster exclusive passage 11j is set to have a higher ventilation resistance than the main duct passage 11c, the heating passage 11e, and the outlet passages 11f and 11h. Therefore, at the time of heating the inside air circulation shown in FIG. 1, the ratio of the outside air flowing into the defroster outlet passage 11h through the defroster passage 11j having a relatively high ventilation resistance is reduced, and the main duct passage having a relatively low ventilation resistance. The ratio that the inside air that has passed through the desiccant material 21, the heater core 14, and the PTC heater 15 flows into the defroster outlet passage 11h through the passage 11e and the heating passage 11e increases.

  The route of the air flow at this time is defined as a route R1 during internal air circulation heating (corresponding to the flow path during heating of the internal air circulation of the present invention).

(4-2) During regeneration of the desiccant material When the desiccant material 21 is regenerated, the control unit 100 positions the inside / outside air switching damper 16 at the inside air circulation position as shown in FIG. The duct passage 11c is positioned so as to be closed between the regeneration dehumidification passage 24 and the evaporator 13, the temperature control damper 17 is positioned at the heating position, and the regeneration internal air intake damper 25 is regenerated. Is positioned at a position where the air outlet is opened, and the regenerating hot air damper 26 is positioned where the outlet passages 11f and 11h are closed. As a result, the regeneration inner air intake passage 22, the heating passage 11e, the regeneration hot air passage 23, the portion of the main duct passage 11c upstream from the evaporator 13, and the regeneration exhaust moisture passage 24 are opened, and the main duct passage 11c. The portion on the downstream side of the evaporator 13 and the outlet passages 11f and 11h are closed.

  In addition, the control unit 100 drives the blower fan 12 with a strength corresponding to the state (for example, moisture absorption amount) of the desiccant material 21 and operates the PTC heater 15 with electric power according to the reference temperature Ta of the desiccant material 21. . As a result, the air in the vehicle interior space 1b flows into the regeneration inner air intake passage 22, the heating passage 11e, the regeneration hot air passage 23, the portion upstream of the evaporator 13 in the main duct passage 11c, and the regeneration moisture exhaust passage. 24, while being heated by the heater core 14 and the PTC heater 15, air having a reference temperature Ta or higher is supplied to the desiccant material 21, passes through the desiccant material 21, and passes through the dehumidifying passage 24 during regeneration from the vehicle exterior space 1c. To be discharged.

  At the time of regeneration of the desiccant material 21 shown in FIG. 4, the inside air that has passed through the heater core 14, the PTC heater 15, and the desiccant material 21 flows into the defroster outlet passage 11h. Since the hourly and warm air damper 26 is shut off, it does not flow into the defroster outlet passage 11h, so that outside air flows into the defroster outlet passage 11h from the outside air introduction passage 11a via the defroster dedicated passage 11j. Then, the outside air is blown out from the defroster outlet 11i toward the inner surface of the front windshield.

  The route of the air flow at this time is defined as a route R2 during regeneration of the desiccant material (corresponding to a flow path during regeneration of the desiccant material of the present invention).

  At the time of regeneration of the desiccant material 21, the control unit 100 detects the input temperature supplied to the desiccant material 21 by the temperature sensor 31, and feedback-controls the PTC heater 15 so that the input temperature is maintained at the reference temperature Ta or higher. .

  When the desiccant material 21 is regenerated, the air in the vehicle interior space 1b is discharged to the vehicle exterior space 1c. To compensate for this, the extractor 1d is opened, and the air in the vehicle exterior space 1c is introduced into the vehicle interior space 1b. Is done.

(4-3) Flowchart FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the control operation performed by the control unit 100.

  In step S1, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the ignition switch 32 is on.

  As a result, when the answer is YES, that is, during the operation of the internal combustion engine, the air blowing mode, that is, heating of the inside air circulation is executed in step S2. As a result, the route R1 during indoor air circulation heating shown in FIG. 1 is formed.

  Next, in step S3, the desiccant 21 is saturated, or the acceleration of the vehicle 1 calculated based on the time change of the traveling speed of the vehicle 1 detected by the vehicle speed sensor 33 is a predetermined reference value (acceleration reference value). It is determined whether it is above. Here, whether or not the desiccant material 21 is saturated can be determined by determining whether or not the input temperature A and the output temperature B of the desiccant material 21 are substantially equal, as described above.

  As a result, when NO, the process returns to step S2 (continuation of the blowing mode), and when YES, the regeneration mode, that is, regeneration of the desiccant material 21 is executed (switching to the regeneration mode) in step S4.

  Specifically, as shown in step S5, the positions of the regeneration internal air intake damper 25, the regeneration hot air damper 26, and the regeneration exhaust moisture damper 27 are switched as described above (inside / outside air switching damper 16 and temperature control). The position of the damper 17 is maintained). As a result, the desiccant material regeneration route R2 shown in FIG. 4 is formed. Further, driving of the blower fan 12 is started (or continued), and feedback control of the input temperature by the PTC heater 15 is executed.

  Next, in step S6, it is determined whether or not a predetermined playback time has elapsed or a predetermined playback stop condition has occurred. Here, the predetermined regeneration stop condition includes, for example, that the acceleration of the vehicle 1 has decreased below the acceleration reference value.

  As a result, when NO, the process returns to step S4 (continuation of the regeneration mode), and when YES, the process returns to step S2 (switching to the blowing mode).

  As described above, according to this flowchart, the regeneration mode is performed only when the desiccant material 21 is saturated or during acceleration of the vehicle 1 while the vehicle 1 is traveling.

(5) Operation As described above, in the present embodiment, the following characteristic configuration is adopted in the vehicle air conditioning control device that controls the air conditioning device 10 that performs air conditioning of the vehicle interior space 1b.

  A heating passage 11e in which the heater core 14 and the PTC heater 15 for heating the conditioned air are disposed, a main duct passage 11c in which the desiccant material 21 for dehumidifying the conditioned air is disposed, and the main duct passage 11c. And a defroster outlet passage 11h provided with a defroster outlet 11i for blowing the conditioned air that has passed through the heating passage 11e toward the inner surface of the front windshield, the outside air introduction passage 11a for introducing outside air, and the defroster A defroster exclusive passage 11j that communicates with the outlet passage 11h is provided.

  Further, when heating the inside air circulation, a route R1 during indoor air circulation heating is formed, and when the desiccant material 21 is regenerated, a route R2 during regeneration of the desiccant material is formed. Inside / outside air switching damper 16, temperature control damper 17, regeneration An inside air intake damper 25, a regenerating warm air damper 26, and a regenerating moisture exhausting damper 27 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the inside air circulation heating route R1 includes the inside air introduced into the main duct passage 11c and the heating passage 11e via the inside air introduction passage 11b, the desiccant material 21, the heater core 14, and the PTC heater. 15 is a route that flows into the outlet passages 11f and 11h after passing through 15 and blows out from the outlets 11g and 11i.

  In the desiccant material regeneration route R2, as shown in FIG. 4, the inside air introduced into the heating passage 11e and the main duct passage 11c through the regeneration inside air intake passage 22 is supplied to the outlet passages 11f and 11h. By shutting off the flow, the inside air passes through the heater core 14, the PTC heater 15, and the desiccant material 21, and then does not flow into the air outlet passages 11 f and 11 h, but passes through the regeneration moisture discharge passage 24. The route is discharged to the outside space 1c.

  When the acceleration of the vehicle 1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined acceleration reference value (YES in step S3), the control for controlling the dampers 16, 17, 25 to 27 so that the regeneration route R2 for the desiccant material is formed. A unit 100 is provided.

  According to this configuration, during heating of the inside air circulation, the inside air introduced into the main duct passage 11c and the heating passage 11e passes through the desiccant material 21, the heater core 14, and the PTC heater 15, and then the defroster outlet passage 11h. And blown out from the defroster outlet 11i toward the inner surface of the front windshield. On the other hand, when the desiccant material 21 is regenerated, the inside air introduced into the heating passage 11e and the main duct passage 11c is blocked from flowing into the defroster outlet passage 11h, so that the inside air is supplied to the heater core 14 and the PTC heater 15. And after passing through the desiccant material 21, it does not flow into the defroster outlet passage 11h but is discharged into the vehicle exterior space 1c. That is, the desiccant material 21 is disposed in the existing main duct passage 11c, and the main duct passage 11c, the heating passage 11e, the heater core 14, and the PTC heater 15 are heated during the internal air circulation shown in FIG. The desiccant material 21 shown is also used for regeneration. Therefore, a large-scale change of the air conditioner 10 is not required, and an increase in weight and cost of the vehicle 1 is suppressed. Further, the desiccant material 21 can be regenerated while the desiccant material 21 is incorporated in the air conditioner 10.

  In this case, when the desiccant material 21 is regenerated, since the inside air that has passed through the heater core 14, the PTC heater 15, and the desiccant material 21 does not flow into the defroster outlet passage 11h, the defroster exclusive passage 11j is provided in the defroster outlet passage 11h. Through the outside air introduction passage 1a. Then, the outside air is blown out from the defroster outlet 11i toward the inner surface of the front windshield. Therefore, although normal air conditioning (heating of the internal air circulation) cannot be performed when the desiccant material 21 is regenerated, since the wind blows out from the defroster outlet 11i, the uncomfortable feeling felt by the occupant is reduced.

  Moreover, since the outside air blown out from the defroster air outlet 11i has low humidity, the increase in the humidity of the inside air is suppressed, the discomfort felt by the occupant is reduced, and fogging of the front windshield is also effectively suppressed.

  Further, when the acceleration of the vehicle 1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined acceleration reference value, in other words, when the behavior of the vehicle 1 is relatively large, the desiccant material 21 is regenerated, so that the occupant's consciousness is the behavior of the vehicle 1. The desiccant material 21 is regenerated at a relatively rapid acceleration toward Therefore, since the passenger is distracted by the behavior of the vehicle 1, it becomes more difficult to feel a sense of incongruity.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the main duct passage 11c, the heating passage 11e, the heater core 14, and the PTC heater 15 are used for both the heating of the internal air circulation and the regeneration of the desiccant material 21, while the vehicle 1 While traveling (YES in step S3 because the acceleration of the vehicle 1 is equal to or greater than the predetermined acceleration reference value), the desiccant is not caused to give the passenger discomfort or discomfort and while suppressing fogging of the front windshield. A vehicle air-conditioning control device capable of regenerating the material 21 is provided.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 100 includes the dampers 16, 17, 25-25 so that the desiccant material regeneration route R 2 is formed only when the acceleration of the vehicle 1 is equal to or greater than the acceleration reference value. 27 is controlled.

  The consciousness of the occupant tends to be suitable for the behavior of the vehicle 1 not only when the behavior of the vehicle 1 is relatively large, that is, when the vehicle 1 is relatively abruptly decelerated. Therefore, the conditions for reproducing the desiccant material 21 include not only that the acceleration of the vehicle 1 is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference value for acceleration, but also that the deceleration of the vehicle 1 is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference value for deceleration. It can be adopted. However, in the present embodiment, in particular, only that the acceleration of the vehicle 1 is equal to or higher than the acceleration reference value is adopted as a condition for reproducing the desiccant material 21 (see step S3).

  According to this configuration, since the desiccant material 21 is regenerated during acceleration of the vehicle 1 in which the wind pressure of outside air increases, a sufficient amount of outside air that increases during acceleration passes through the outside air introduction passage 11a and the defroster dedicated passage 11j. It flows into the defroster outlet passage 11h and is blown out from the defroster outlet 11i toward the inner surface of the front windshield. As a result, the amount of outside air blown from the defroster outlet 11i is ensured, the anti-fogging effect of the front windshield is increased, and the defroster function (condensation prevention function) is ensured.

  In the present embodiment, the defroster-dedicated passage 11j is set to have a higher ventilation resistance than the main duct passage 11c and the heating passage 11e.

  According to this configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, the ventilation resistance is relatively high during heating of the inside air circulation in which the inside air that has passed through the desiccant material 21, the heater core 14, and the PTC heater 15 flows into the defroster outlet passage 11 h. The ratio of the outside air flowing into the defroster outlet passage 11h through the defroster exclusive passage 11j is reduced, and the desiccant material 21, the heater core 14, and the PTC heater 15 through the main duct passage 11c and the heating passage 11e having relatively low ventilation resistance. The rate at which the inside air that has passed through flows into the defroster outlet passage 11h increases. Therefore, the internal air circulation is sufficiently heated, and the comfort of the passenger's air conditioning feeling is not impaired.

  In the above embodiment, in step S3, it is determined whether or not the acceleration of the vehicle 1 calculated based on the time change of the traveling speed of the vehicle 1 detected by the vehicle speed sensor 33 is equal to or greater than a predetermined acceleration reference value. However, instead of this, it is determined whether or not the deceleration of the vehicle 1 calculated based on the time change of the traveling speed of the vehicle 1 detected by the vehicle speed sensor 33 is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value for deceleration. You may make it do. According to this configuration, since the desiccant 21 is regenerated when the deceleration of the vehicle 1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined deceleration reference value, the occupant's consciousness is at a relatively sudden deceleration toward the behavior of the vehicle 1. The desiccant material 21 is regenerated. For this reason, the occupant is also distracted by the behavior of the vehicle 1, so that it becomes even more difficult to feel uncomfortable.

  In the above embodiment, the defroster-dedicated passage 11j is set to a value smaller than the cross-sectional area of the main duct passage 11c, the heating passage 11e, and the outlet passages 11f and 11h. The ventilation resistance is higher than the ventilation resistance of the main duct passage 11c, the heating passage 11e, and the outlet passages 11f and 11h, but instead of this, for example, an orifice is provided in the defroster dedicated passage 11j, The defroster exclusive passage 11j may meander.

  Further, instead of the PTC heater 15, for example, an electric heater or a far infrared heater may be used.

  Further, the desiccant material 21 may be disposed downstream of the blower fan 12 and upstream of the regeneration moisture passage 24.

  Further, when the desiccant material 21 is regenerated, the inside air introduction passage 11 b may be closed using a means different from the inside / outside air switching damper 16.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle 1b Vehicle interior space 1c Vehicle exterior space 10 Vehicle air conditioner 11a Outside air introduction passage 11b Inside air introduction passage 11c Main duct passage (air conditioning wind passage)
11e Heating passage (air conditioning air passage)
11h Defroster outlet passage 11i Defroster outlet 11j Defroster passage 14 Heater core (heating means)
15 PTC heater (heating means)
16 Inside / outside air switching damper (flow path forming means)
17 Temperature control damper (flow path forming means)
21 Desiccant material 25 Regenerative air intake damper (flow path forming means)
26 Hot air damper during regeneration (flow path forming means)
27 Regeneration moisture dumper (flow path forming means)
33 Vehicle speed sensor 100 Control unit (control means)
Ta reference temperature (moisture reversal temperature)

Claims (3)

A vehicle air-conditioning control device for controlling an air-conditioning device for air-conditioning a vehicle interior space,
An air-conditioning air passage provided with a heating means for heating the air-conditioning air and a desiccant material for dehumidifying;
A defroster outlet passage provided with a defroster outlet for blowing the conditioned air that has passed through the conditioned air passage toward the inner surface of the windshield;
A defroster-dedicated passage that communicates the outside air introduction passage for introducing the air outside the vehicle and the defroster outlet passage;
During heating of the inside air circulation, after the air in the vehicle interior space introduced into the air conditioning air passage passes through the heating means and the desiccant material, the air flows into the defroster outlet passage and is blown out from the defroster outlet. When the desiccant material is regenerated, the air in the vehicle interior space introduced into the conditioned air passage is blocked from flowing into the defroster outlet passage, so that the air causes the heating means and the desiccant material to flow. A flow path forming means for forming a flow path that is discharged to the outside space after passing through the vehicle;
When the vehicle acceleration is equal to or higher than a predetermined acceleration reference value or when the vehicle deceleration is equal to or higher than a predetermined deceleration reference value, the flow path forming means is formed so as to form a flow path during regeneration of the desiccant material. Control means for controlling
A vehicle air-conditioning control device comprising: In the vehicle air-conditioning control device according to claim 1,
The control means controls the flow path forming means so that the flow path during regeneration of the desiccant material is formed only when the acceleration of the vehicle is equal to or greater than the acceleration reference value. Air conditioning control device. In the vehicle air-conditioning control device according to claim 1 or 2,
The vehicle air conditioning control device, wherein the defroster exclusive passage has a higher airflow resistance than the air conditioning air passage.

Images