JPH0350017A - Solar radiation sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To detect distributing condition of light strength and improve the comfortableness in the subject sensor for controlling air conditioning of an automobile by forming spotlights out of solar radiation through a restriction member, projecting the spotlights on a detecting means connectedly arranged with a plurality of photoelectric transfer elements, and obtaining solar radiation strength from the strength distribution of the spotlights. CONSTITUTION:The sun light passing through the slits 131, 132 of restricted part 13 respectively reach photoelectric transfer elements 141, 142 as spotlight. At this time, solar radiation strength in the front and rear direction is detected by combination of the photoelectric transfer element 141 and the slit 131, and combination of the element 142 and the slit 132 is for that in the right and left direction. Respective photoelectric transfer elements 141, 142 output voltage corresponding to the incident direction. These output are input to a computing means 16 through a sub-controller 15, and the solar radiation strength is computed from the strength distribution. Thus, the solar radiation strength is obtained corresponding to the light strength distribution, and comfortableness can be improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a solar radiation sensor used for air conditioning control of automobiles.

[Prior art]

2. Description of the Related Art Air conditioning control devices for automobiles are known to adjust the volume and temperature of cold air and warm air depending on the amount of solar radiation irradiating the interior of the car.

As shown in FIG. 14, this type of air conditioning control device B includes a blower 92 disposed on the upstream side within an air conditioning duct 91, and a cooling evaporator 93.1 on the downstream side thereof. A heater core 94 for the chamber is also provided. Further, an air mix door 95 is provided in front of the heater core 94.

Further, at the rear end of the air conditioning duct 91, there is an upper duct 911. A lower duct 912 is provided. Further, the upper duct 911 is provided with a deflection damper 96 for adjusting the amount of air blown in the left and right directions inside the vehicle.

A first actuator 88 for operating the air mix door 95 is connected to the air mix door 95, and a second actuator 89 for operating the deflection damper 96 is connected to the air mix door 95.

Both actuators 88 and 89 are connected to the air conditioner unit (operation control device) 8.

The air conditioner amplifier 8 uses a microcomputer and includes a central processing unit CPU, a read-only memory ROM, a random access memory RAM, and the like.

And for the air conditioner amplifier 8.

Data such as the amount of solar radiation inside the vehicle from the solar radiation sensor 81, the temperature inside the vehicle from the interior temperature center 82, and the outside air temperature from the outside temperature sensor 83 are input.

Therefore, the air conditioner amplifier 8 has the above solar radiation amount.

In response to inputs such as the temperature inside the vehicle and the temperature outside the vehicle, arithmetic processing is performed based on a predetermined program to operate the first and second actuators. In this way, air conditioning control is performed so that the temperature inside the vehicle becomes comfortable.

By the way, various types of solar radiation sensors have been proposed. For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 71713/1983, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, output resistance is adjusted according to the position of the output point a variable resistance element 73 that changes, a photoelectric conversion element 74 that is connected to the variable resistance element 73 and forms an output point of the variable resistance element depending on the receiving position of the incident light L1 or Lt, and a resistance of the photoelectric conversion element 74. A solar radiation direction detection device is shown having a slit-shaped light means 71 that produces an illumination area 77 that moves along the direction of change depending on the solar radiation angle. Note that 70 is an instrument panel, 72 is a substrate of a photoelectric conversion element 74, 75 is a common terminal board, and 76 is a power source.

In this device, the light L incident from the shaped light means 71 is
By utilizing the fact that the position of the irradiation area 77 changes depending on the angle of 1 or Lt, the output Vo
Obtain uL. Then, the direction of light irradiation into the vehicle interior is detected from this output, and the air conditioning is controlled by the air conditioner amplifier as described above.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 13, a solar radiation sensor for detecting the brightness of solar radiation includes one photoelectric conversion element in a room surrounded by a window part 61 using a light scattering material such as frosted glass, and a bottom plate 63. A solar radiation sensor 6 in which 62 is arranged has also been proposed. The light scattering body 61 is irradiated with sunlight 60 . This solar radiation sensor 6 detects the overall brightness around the vehicle. Then, an analog electrical signal proportional to the brightness of this ambient light is sent to the air conditioner amplifier 66.

Then, air conditioning control is performed.

[Problem to be solved]

Incidentally, solar radiation has a very wide dynamic range of 0 to 100,000 lx (lux). Furthermore, the amount of solar radiation entering the vehicle interior varies not only in the direction of the solar radiation, but also depending on the way the sun shines (weather), such as clear skies, cloudy skies, sunsets, cloudy weather, and rain.

Therefore, the solar radiation information for air conditioning control is based on the above weather.
It is necessary to detect and determine the strength of the sun's rays.

That is, the solar radiation information for air conditioning control needs to be based on the intensity distribution of sunlight.

However, the former solar radiation sensor using a variable resistance element detects only the direction of solar radiation, that is, the height of the sun, and cannot perform sufficient air conditioning control.

In addition, although the latter solar radiation sensor using the window part of the light scatterer can detect the intensity of ambient light,
In other words, the state of the light intensity distribution cannot be detected.

In view of such conventional problems, the present invention seeks to provide a solar radiation sensor capable of detecting solar radiation intensity based on the sunlight intensity distribution.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides a solar radiation detection means in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are successively arranged, a diaphragm member provided above the solar radiation detection means to form a spot light based on solar radiation, and each of the photoelectric conversion elements described above. The solar radiation sensor is characterized by comprising: calculation means for calculating solar radiation intensity from the intensity distribution of spot light indicated by the output of the conversion element.

In the present invention, the solar radiation detection means is a line sensor in which a plurality of charging conversion elements are arranged in a continuous manner.

It detects the strength of the sun's rays, that is, the light intensity distribution. As a method of arranging the photoelectric conversion elements, as shown in the first embodiment, line sensors (-dimensional) in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in one direction are arranged orthogonally to each other, and in the second embodiment As shown, there is a line sensor (two-dimensional) in which a plurality of charge conversion elements are arranged in the front, back, left and right directions.

As the photoelectric conversion element, a photodiode array,
A sensor capable of converting the intensity distribution of irradiated light into a voltage signal is used, such as a MOS sensor or a CCD sensor.

Further, the diaphragm member is a means for shining a spotlight of elongated shape, 111 circular shape, etc. onto the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements in the solar radiation detection means. In other words, one day's sunlight is guided onto the photoelectric conversion element through the slit.

The calculation means calculates the solar radiation intensity from the light intensity distribution based on the output of each photoelectric conversion element using a predetermined calculation method. This calculation method was experimentally determined based on the relationship between the weather conditions and the solar radiation intensity inside the vehicle.

Next, the output signal obtained by the solar radiation sensor is
As shown in the embodiment, it is used to operate an air conditioning control device.

In addition, a cooling signal or a heating signal is output to the air conditioning control device based on each output signal of the conventionally installed vehicle interior temperature sensor, outside air temperature sensor, etc. It provides comfortable air conditioning control by adding additional compensation.

Additionally, the output signal from the solar radiation sensor controls the opening and closing of the mode door in the air conditioning duct and the capacity of the compressor.

Opening/closing of the air mix door, rotation speed of the blower motor.

It is also possible to control the opening and closing of the intake door, the opening and closing of the air volume distribution door, etc. These controls are performed, for example, by processing the above output signal with an air conditioner amplifier using a microcomputer.

Note that the solar radiation sensor of the present invention can also be used in an anti-glare device for a windshield of an automobile. That is, the anti-glare device is controlled based on the output signal of the solar radiation sensor (Japanese Patent Publication No. 6
2-18366).

[For production]

In the present invention, sunlight passes through the aperture member and is irradiated as spot light onto the photoelectric conversion element in the solar radiation detection means.

At this time, when the weather is clear, the spot light hits the charge conversion element locally as shown in FIG. 6 because there is little scattered light, so as shown in FIG. 6, the output shows a sharp peak.

Also, when it's sunny and cloudy (a sunny period with clouds).

As shown in Figure 7, this is because there is light scattered by clouds.

The spot light irradiates a plurality of charge conversion elements over a wider range than in the case of clear skies. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the output has a relatively dull peak.

Furthermore, when it is cloudy, as shown in Figure 8 (because sunlight is widely scattered by clouds and the light intensity is low,
The spot light irradiates a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements over a wider range. Therefore, as shown in the figure, there is no peak or a gentle mountain-like output.

Therefore, the solar radiation intensity is calculated by the calculation means based on outputs corresponding to various light intensity distributions as described above.

The output value obtained by the calculation means is sent to the air conditioner amplifier to operate the actuator to perform air conditioning control or anti-glare control.

〔effect〕

According to the present invention, a solar radiation sensor is provided that is capable of detecting O1 solar radiation intensity based on weather conditions such as clear skies and cloudy weather, and is capable of not only simply detecting the amount of solar radiation but also detecting the nature of the solar radiation. can do.

〔Example〕

First Embodiment A solar radiation sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the solar radiation sensor l of this example includes a solar radiation detection means 14 in which charging conversion elements 141 and 142 are arranged, and a solar radiation detection means 14 provided above the solar radiation detection means 14 to detect spot light based on solar radiation. A sub-controller 15 is provided between the 0 solar radiation detection means 14 and the calculation means 16, which are composed of an aperture member 13 for forming the solar radiation intensity and a calculation means 16 for calculating the solar radiation intensity from the output of each of the photoelectric conversion elements 141 and 142. .

Further, a neutral density filter 12 is arranged above the diaphragm member 13. And the photoelectric conversion elements 141, 14
2. Aperture member 13. The neutral density filter 12 is placed in a case 11 that is open at the top, and constitutes the sensor body 10. The sensor main body IO is installed on an instrument panel 982 in the automobile 9B, as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 981 is a windshield, and 20 is light from the sun.

Further, the solar radiation detection means 14 includes photoelectric conversion elements 141 arranged in one front-rear direction as shown in FIG.

It consists of photoelectric conversion elements 142 arranged in the left and right direction. Each of the photoelectric conversion elements 141 and 142 is a one-dimensional line sensor in which a plurality of MOSs are consecutively arranged in one direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, 2 solar radiation detection means 1
The diaphragm member 13 provided above the diaphragm 4 is provided with slits 131 and 132 that are opened in an elongated shape. The slit 131
is provided at the center above the photoelectric conversion element 141 in a direction orthogonal to the photoelectric conversion element 141. Also,
Surin) 132 is provided at the center above the photoelectric conversion element 142 in a direction perpendicular to the photoelectric conversion element 142.

The combination of the photoelectric conversion element 141 and the slit 131 is a sensor unit that measures the solar radiation intensity in the longitudinal direction of the automobile. In addition, the photoelectric conversion element 142 and the slit 132
In combination with this is a sensor unit that measures the solar radiation intensity in the left and right directions of the vehicle.

Next, we will discuss two effects.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, light 20 from the sun reaches the aperture member 13 from above, passes through the slit 132 of the aperture member 13, and reaches the photoelectric conversion element 142 of the solar radiation detection means. The above light 20 comes from the upper left, upper, upper right, etc.
It reaches the photoelectric conversion element 142 through the slit 132. However, the light 20 from each direction is 2. For example, if the sun is above.

Light from above is strong, and light from left and right is weak.

Further, the incident angle range θ of the light 20 that can be detected by the photoelectric conversion element 142 corresponds to the length X that the light 20 can pass through the slit 132 and reach the photoelectric conversion element 142, and is usually about 120 degrees.

In other words, the photoelectric conversion elements 142 provided inside the car are one on the left and one on the left.
Detects light within a 20 degree range. On the other hand, regarding the photoelectric conversion element 141 that detects light in the front-rear direction, the range is usually about 90 degrees.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, when the light 20 that has passed through the slit is incident on the solar radiation detection means 14, a light intensity distribution as shown by a curve 31 in the figure is generated at each position on the charge conversion element. The light that has shines on it.

Therefore, in accordance with this light intensity, an output voltage as shown by a curve 32 in the same figure is emitted from the solar radiation detection means. The above-mentioned light intensity distribution is detected by the photoelectric conversion element 141 that detects light in one front-back direction as described above, and the photoelectric conversion element 142 that detects light in the left-right direction. Therefore, by integrating the outputs from both photoelectric conversion elements, it is possible to measure the direction of incidence of sunlight, the amount of solar radiation, and the nature (distribution) of solar radiation from the intensity distribution of light incident on the car, that is, the solar radiation intensity distribution. I can do it.

That is, by connecting a known circuit such as automatic gain adjustment and time series sampling to a line sensor consisting of photoelectric conversion elements 141 and 142, a voltage output corresponding to one solar radiation intensity can be obtained as shown by curve 32 in FIG. Signals are obtained in time series.

Next, the above voltage output signal changes depending on the weather as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8.

That is, in the case of clear weather, as shown in FIG. 6, the light 21 from the sun 2 passes through the slit 131 (hereinafter the same applies to 132) and enters the photoelectric conversion element of the solar radiation detection means. Therefore 1
The output of the solar radiation detection means is as shown by curve 1 33 (showing a sharp rising peak (half width less than about 5°).

Also, if it's a cloudy day (a sunny day with a lot of clouds).

As shown in FIG. 7, the light of the sun 21. The reflected lights 22 and 23 from the cloud 29 pass through the slit 131 and hit the photoelectric conversion element of the solar radiation detection means. Therefore, the output of the solar radiation detection means exhibits a peak with a slow rise as shown by the curve 34 (about 10 to 20 degrees in half width).

Furthermore, in the case of cloudy weather, as shown in FIG. 8, the sunlight passes through clouds 29, so it is weak and scattered. Therefore, the output of the solar radiation detection means is as follows.

It becomes a gentle slope with no peaks.

In addition, in FIG. 1, a light output signal is sent from the solar radiation detection means 14, and a gain adjustment signal is sent from the sub-controller 15 to the solar radiation detection means 14.
The output signal is sent to the calculation means 16.

The calculation means 16 determines the solar radiation intensity in one solar radiation direction and the weather from the light intensity distribution indicated by the above output. This calculation is performed using a calculation method determined experimentally in advance. That is, the output has a sharp peak as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8.

The weather is determined according to the output state such as a gentle output, the solar radiation direction is determined from the peak position of the light intensity distribution, and the solar radiation intensity is determined from the peak intensity of the light intensity distribution or the area of the light intensity distribution. Note that the calculation means 16 is provided in the air conditioner amplifier.

According to the output of the calculation means 16, the air conditioner amplifier operates actuators and the like to perform air conditioning control, as shown in the prior art.

As mentioned above, according to the two example solar radiation sensors, 1 solar radiation direction 2
Solar radiation intensity and weather can be detected. Therefore 1
Fine-grained air conditioning control can be performed according to the output of the solar radiation sensor.

Second Embodiment In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
This is a solar radiation sensor 40 in which a dimensional line sensor 42 is arranged. The rest is the same as the first embodiment.

The aperture member 41 is provided with one small circular slit 410. Further, the two-dimensional line sensor 42 has a large number of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a two-dimensional direction.

Thus, sunlight passes through one slit 410 and is silently radiated onto the line sensor 42, for example, as shown by a dashed line 411. In other words, light in the longitudinal and lateral directions of the automobile is incident on the line sensor 42 . Then, there is an output signal according to the light intensity distribution.

It is output in the same way as in the first embodiment.

In this example as well, the same effects as in the first example can be obtained.

Third Embodiment In this example, as shown in FIG. 10, the solar radiation sensor shown in the first embodiment was used. This shows an air conditioning control device 5 for an automobile.

That is, one device is an auto air conditioner amplifier 50.

It consists of a solar radiation sensor 1 and an air conditioning unit 59.

The two solar radiation sensors 1 are driven by a sensor drive circuit 51 in the amplifier 50 and output an output signal 30 representing one solar radiation intensity distribution. The output signal 30 enters the peak hold circuit 52 and 1/2 amplifier circuit 53, and becomes a DC voltage signal of 1/2 of the peak. This signal is compared with the evaporation power signal 30 by a comparator 54, and the half width of the peak is detected.

On the other hand, the peak position detection circuit 56 detects at which pixel the solar radiation peak is located.

Then, the output signal from the peak hold circuit 52 (absolute value signal of solar radiation intensity), the output signal from the comparator 54 (signal indicating the smoothness of the solar radiation intensity distribution), and the output signal from the peak position detection circuit 56 (peak pixel) enters CPtJ55 of the air conditioner amplifier.

Then, the CPU 55 operates and controls the actuator of the air conditioner unit 59 based on the input signal, thereby controlling the air conditioning to keep the interior of the vehicle in a comfortable state.

Next, in the above control, three different patterns can be considered. For example, when the absolute value signal of the solar radiation intensity is large (2 to 3
10,000lx or more), and if it is small (2000~300lx!),
x and below) are controlled in the same way as a conventional automatic air conditioner system. That is, if the above signal is large, the cooling air volume is increased and I! Control is performed to reduce the air volume of the air conditioner, and if it is small, decrease the air volume of the air conditioner and increase the air volume of the heating air. In addition, the direction of incidence of solar radiation is determined based on the signal indicating the peak pixel, and 1) the air volume to the sunny side is increased during cooling and decreased during heating, and 2) the air volume to the shaded side is decreased during cooling, and during heating In addition, when the first distribution is wide, the air volume from multiple outlets is changed based on the signal indicating the solar radiation distribution, and when the first distribution is narrow, the air volume from a specific outlet is changed to achieve efficient air conditioning. can be controlled. Also.

Control may be performed that takes into account both the solar radiation intensity and the spread of the solar radiation distribution. for example.

[Intensity of air conditioner (e.g. outlet temperature)] (Intensity of solar radiation) / (spread of solar radiation) Control is performed.

Regarding the upper side, one reason for performing the above control is as follows.

It is as follows.

That is, 50004 with 5 conventional solar radiation sensors! Even if x amount of solar radiation is detected, the temperature rise inside the vehicle will differ depending on whether the weather is clear or cloudy.

For example, even if the three solar radiation peaks are the same, if the half-width is wide, the temperature of the air blowing from the car air conditioner will be lowered a little.
When the room is narrow, the air temperature from the car air conditioner is significantly lowered to suppress the rise in the car room temperature due to solar radiation, and also to control the feeling of hot flashes of the occupants due to the solar radiation, thereby maintaining the car room temperature at a predetermined temperature. More specifically, the target blowout temperature, which has conventionally been calculated from the room temperature, the set temperature outside temperature, the amount of solar radiation, etc., is lowered.

Also, in the above, when the half width is wide.

The gain of the air volume control may be changed according to the amount of solar radiation in a day, so that the air volume is slightly increased, and when the space is narrow, the air volume is increased by a large amount. In addition, depending on the incident angle of solar radiation, the louver of the air outlet of the car air conditioner is automatically controlled to orient one direction toward the solar radiation direction, and the louver of the air outlet is automatically oscillated using the solar radiation half width. Make the swing width directly proportional to the half width.

By combining these louver controls, it is possible to perform comfortable wind direction control that corresponds to both the incident direction of solar radiation and the distribution of that solar radiation.

In addition, the weather is judged from the presence or absence of solar radiation or the distribution of solar radiation intensity, and the humidity of the outside air is estimated to control the inside and outside air. The humidity in the room may be determined by the UA node depending on the amount of outside air.

According to the example described above, 3 solar radiation intensity 1 distribution (sharpness)
, it is possible to realize a comfortable interior environment depending on the direction.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 8 show the solar radiation sensor of the first embodiment.
The figure is a sectional view of the sensor body, Figure 2 is a view of the solar radiation sensor installed, and Figure 3 is a plan view of the sensor body. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram of light incidence, Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between light irradiation, light intensity distribution, and output voltage, and Figs. 6 and 7 are diagrams showing the relationship between weather conditions and output voltage. , FIG. 9 is a plan view of the sensor body in the solar radiation sensor of the second embodiment, and FIG.
The figure is a block diagram of air conditioning control in the third embodiment.
Figures 1 and 12 are cross-sectional views and plan views of conventional solar radiation sensors; Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram of another conventional solar radiation sensor;
The figure is an explanatory diagram of an air conditioning control device. 1.40. ,, Solar radiation sensor 10,... Sensor body. 12,,fli optical filter 13.41. ,,Aperture member. 131.132,410. ,, slit. 14. Solar radiation detection means. 141.142. ,, photoelectric conversion element. 16. Calculation means. 2 2D line sensor. 50゜Oh) A/C amplifier Applicant Nippondenso Co., Ltd. Figure 2 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 2, Figure 6 Figure 10 Figure 11 Figure 12 Figure 15

Claims (1)

[Claims] A solar radiation detection means in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are successively arranged; an aperture member provided on the upper part of the solar radiation detection means to form a spot light based on solar radiation; A solar radiation sensor comprising: calculation means for calculating solar radiation intensity from an intensity distribution.