JPH0490966A - Temperature regulating device for steering wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve heat exchange efficiency even when a thermoelectric element is used by coupling the one surface of the thermoelectric element, the heat generating surface and the heat absorbing surface of which are switched according to a current direction to the grip part of a steering wheel, through a heat transfer material, and feeding heat source air to the other surface. CONSTITUTION:A cylindrical thermoelectric element 16 formed of a Peltier element is coaxially mounted on a shaft part 15a of a steering wheel 15. A heat transfer material 17 is embedded between a grip part 15b and a shaft part 15a of the steering wheel 15, and the inner peripheral surface of the thermoelectric element 16 is brought into contact with the end part of the heat transfer material 17 to transfer heat. A heat exchange fin 18 is attached on the outer peripheral surface of the thermoelectric element 16, and coupled to an air- conditioning feed passage 20 of an air-conditioning device 30 through an air passage 19. This constitution performs switching between an energizing direction during a summer season and that during a winter season and feeds air- conditioned air, and captures working of the thermoelectric element to improve efficiency.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Objective of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention cools or heats the steering wheel of a steering system of a vehicle such as an automobile separately in summer and winter, and allows the driver to operate the steering wheel. This invention relates to a temperature control device for a steering wheel that provides comfort when driving.

(Prior Art) Generally, the steering wheel of a vehicle is always held by the driver's bare hands while the vehicle is running, and therefore the temperature of the steering wheel has a large effect on the driver.In particular, Immediately after riding in the summer or winter, the steering wheel gets hot or cold just like the thermal environment inside the vehicle, and it takes time for it to reach a comfortable state.Therefore, temperature adjustment is needed to quickly bring the temperature of the steering wheel to an appropriate level. A device has been proposed.

Conventionally, the following three systems are known as temperature control devices for steering wheels. First, there is an internal heating method, in which an electric heater or the like is placed inside the steering wheel, and the steering wheel is heated by this heater. Next, air-conditioned air blowing is a method in which cold or warm air from the air conditioner is blown onto the steering wheel to adjust the temperature of the steering wheel and the backs and fingers of the driver's hands. Furthermore, it is an air-conditioned air introduction method, in which the air conditioned air from the air conditioner is introduced into the air passage provided in the steering wheel, and is then discharged through the hole in the steering wheel.At this time, the temperature of the steering wheel and the driver's hands is adjusted. That's what I do.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, each of the conventional steering wheel temperature control systems has the following drawbacks.

First, the internal heating type using an electric heater can only adjust the temperature on the heating side.

The method of air-conditioned air blowing is that the air-conditioned air directly hits the back of the driver's hand, making it easy to control the temperature of the back of the driver's hand and fingers, but it is blocked by the air-conditioned air or the driver's hands, making it difficult to reach the steering wheel. As a result, it takes a long time to adjust the temperature of the steering wheel itself, and the driver ends up holding the steering link wheel while it is still cold, which limits the improvement in comfort.

Is it possible to effectively cool and heat the steering wheel from the inside of the steering wheel with the air-conditioned air introduction method?Because the steering wheel has many small holes, the feel in the palm of the hand and the design deteriorate.

On the other hand, it is possible to effectively adjust the temperature of the steering wheel itself from within by using a thermoelectric element that can heat and cool the steering wheel by changing the flow of electric current, and by exchanging heat with the heat source air. However, when such a thermoelectric element is simply used, there is a problem in that the surface temperature of the thermoelectric element falls below the dew point temperature of the heat source air, and the heat exchange performance deteriorates significantly due to dew condensation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a temperature control device for a steering wheel that can prevent a decrease in heat exchange efficiency while using a thermoelectric element.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides that by passing an electric current, one surface becomes high temperature due to heat generation and the other surface becomes low temperature due to heat absorption, and the current A thermoelectric element having a characteristic that high and low temperatures are reversed when the direction of the thermoelectric element is changed, a means for switching the direction of energization to the thermoelectric element, and a means for transferring heat between one surface of the thermoelectric element and a grip portion of a steering wheel. It is characterized by comprising a thermally conductive material, means for blowing heat source air to the other surface of the thermoelectric element, and means for controlling the blowing of the heat source air.

(Function) According to the above configuration, in addition to adjusting the direction of energization to the thermal lightning element, the heater is operated by supplying warm air in winter, and the cooler is operated by supplying cold air in summer. . The amount of heat generated by these heater or cooler operations is transferred to the chest and knob portions of the steering wheel via the heat conductive material, thereby directly regulating the temperature.

Further, when the surface temperature of the thermoelectric element is lower than the dew point temperature of the heat source air, the blowing of the heat source air can be controlled, such as by stopping the supply of the heat source air.

(Example) This invention will be described in detail below.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of an electronic control system according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes grip part temperature setting means 1, grip part temperature detection means 2, thermoelectric element temperature detection means 3, and air conditioned air relative humidity detection means. 4. It has an indoor/outdoor thermal environment detection means 5. Then, the grip part temperature setting means 1 sets the grip part temperature Tgset, and the grip part temperature detecting means 2
The grip portion temperature Tg is determined by the thermoelectric element temperature detection means 3, the thermoelectric element temperature Tf on the heat source air side of the thermoelectric element is determined by the thermoelectric element temperature detection means 3, the air conditioned air relative humidity Ms is determined by the air conditioned air relative humidity detection means 4, and the outside temperature Ta is determined by the indoor/outdoor thermal environment detection means 5. , room temperature Tic, indoor relative humidity M r , and solar radiation amount S1 room temperature set value T set are manually input into the computer 6 and processed. The control signal from the computer 6 is output to the proa fan motor of the air conditioning air supply route or to the exhaust fan motor 8 of the indoor air supply route, and at this time, various door actuators 9 are instructed to select one of the routes. Outputs an operation signal.

Therefore, the computer 6 and each tor actuator 9 constitute the air blowing control means in this embodiment.

Further, a control signal is output to the thermoelectric element energization switching means 10, and the thermoelectric element is configured to use conditioned air or indoor air as a heat source to operate the heater or cooler.

FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram showing the configuration of a first embodiment of the steering wheel, air conditioner, etc. of the present invention, in which a cylindrical thermoelectric element 16 composed of a Vertier element is coaxially attached to the shaft portion 15a of the steering wheel 15. is mounted on top.

A thermally conductive material]7 is embedded between the ring-shaped grip portion 15b and the shaft portion 15a inside the steering wheel 15, and a thermoelectric element 1 is installed at the end of this thermally conductive material 17.
It is possible for the inner circumferential surfaces of 6 to be in contact and to conduct heat transfer. Further, heat exchange fins 18 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the thermoelectric element 16.
An air passage 19 is provided with an air outlet and an air outlet 19a.

On the other hand, the air conditioner 30 has an outside air intake port 31 and an indoor air intake port 32 connected to the intake door 3 on one side of the unit body 30a.
3, and is provided with a proa fan 34 for blowing conditioned air as heat source air to this part. Inside the unit main body 30a, a mix chamber 36 is arranged downstream of the proafan 34 via an evaporator 35, and a heater core 37,
An air mix door 38, a differential door 39, a ventilator door 40, a foot door 41, etc. are provided. The mix chamber 36 communicates with the above-mentioned air passage 19 to form a conditioned air supply path 20. An air passage 23 is connected in the middle of the air passage 9 through a switching door 21 and has an exhaust fan 22 that exhausts the air inside the vehicle to blow the air inside the vehicle as conditioned air.
The fan forms an indoor air supply path 24. Further, between the air passage 23 and the indoor suction port 32, there are exhaust doors 25 at both ends. An air passage 27 for return air with a return air door 26 is provided, forming a room air supply path 28 for air conditioning.

With the configuration of this embodiment, in winter, etc., the thermoelectric element energization switching means 10 first switches the energization for the heater, and the operation of the switching door 21 (side A in FIG. 2) causes the air conditioned air supply path 20 to
Select. In addition, the proa fan 34 of the air conditioner 30 is driven, and the heater core 37 generates hot air, which is supplied to the heat exchange fins 18 of the thermoelectric element 6 through the air passage 19. Promote heat dissipation. Then, this high-temperature heat is transferred to the grip portion 1 through the heat conductive material 17.
Heat is transferred to 5b and heated. Next, after the temperature in the room being heated at this time rises and stabilizes, each door 21,
25. Select indoor air supply route 24 or 28 from 26. Then, indoor air is supplied by driving the exhaust fan 22 or by operating the air conditioner 30, and the thermoelectric element 16 continues to heat the grip portion 15b. After that, when the temperature of the grip part 15b reaches the set temperature, the thermoelectric element 1
6 to maintain the set temperature.

In summer, etc., the power supply to the thermoelectric element 16 is reversed, and cold air from the evaporator 35 of the air conditioner 30 is supplied to the heat exchange fins 18 of the thermoelectric element 16 to operate the cooler, and the low-temperature heat is transferred to the thermal conductive material. Grip part 15 through 17
Heat is transferred to b and cooled. Then, similarly thermoelectric element 1-6
The cooling effect is continued by switching to the indoor air heat source.

Next, the above-mentioned operation will be explained in more detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, step 5101 constants A-E used for lever control
, F-H, Ll to L5 are initialized and set. In step 5102, each data is input. That is, the outside temperature Ta
, room temperature Tic, room temperature set value Tsets solar radiation S1 grip part temperature Tg, grip part set temperature T gset, thermoelectric element air side temperature Tf, indoor relative humidity Mr, and air conditioned air relative humidity Ms.

In step 8103, the air volume of the proa fan is controlled by the applied voltage, so the difference between the room temperature and the room temperature set value, (T i c-
The applied voltage Vf an is determined by Tset ). Specifically, the larger the deviation, the more the applied voltage is increased and the air volume is increased to reduce the deviation.

Next, in step 5104, the target blowout temperature Tof is calculated from the outside air temperature Ta, the room temperature Tic, the room temperature set value T set, and the amount of solar radiation S. In step 5105, this target blowing temperature T
The opening degree X of the air mix door 38 of the air conditioner is calculated based on of. In step 5106, the outlet mode is determined to be heater mode if the target outlet temperature Tof is high, pie level mode if it is medium, and vent mode if it is low.

In step 5107, the thermal load on the grip portion of the steering wheel is determined by the chamber fiTic, its set value Tset,
It is calculated from the outside air temperature Ta and the amount of solar radiation S using the formula shown in the figure, and is determined so that the value of the heat load is distributed between O and 1. Then, in step S108, this thermal load is used to determine whether the thermoelectric element 6 should be activated as a heater, activated as a cooler, or stopped. In other words, the heat load is set to a set value L' with hysteresis.
(0.4 to 0.55 between heating and stop, 0.5 to 0.65 between cooling and stop), and when L>L', step Sil of the cooler operation routine (cooling).

If L<L', the process proceeds to step 8109 of the heater operation routine (heating), and if LL', the process proceeds to step 8134 of the stop routine.

Step S109 of the heater operation routine sets the clip portion temperature Tg to the set temperature Tgs with its hysteresis.
If the temperature is lower than the set temperature Tgset, the process proceeds to step 5114. Here, if T2 was previously T
If gset is −3° C. and current Tgset is +1° C., it will be in the state shown by the upper line shown in the figure, and this state will be called “ON”. Similarly, previously it was Tgset+5℃, and now Tgset
If gset+1°C, the state is as shown by the lower line in the figure, and this state will be referred to as [0FFJ. The meaning of hysteresis is the same below. Step 5114 is room temperature Ti
c is the set temperature with its hysteresis (Tset-2
~Tset), and if the temperature is lower than the set temperature Tset -2, the process advances to step 5116 and shifts to a routine for using air conditioned air (A). On the other hand, if the chamber 1Tic rises and becomes higher than the set temperature T set, step 5120
Proceed to the indoor air routine.

Therefore, in the routine for using conditioned air when the room temperature is low, in step 5118, the dew point temperature DPs of the conditioned air is calculated using the target blowout temperature Tof and the relative humidity Ms of the conditioned air. In step 5119, the set value (Dps+2 to DI)S+4) having hysteresis of the dew point temperature of the air-conditioned air is compared with the temperature Tf of the portion of the heat exchange fin on the air side of the thermoelectric element that is actually heated.

That is, the air conditioned air dew point temperature DPs is the thermoelectric element air side temperature Tf.
If the temperature is lower and no condensation occurs even if the conditioned air is used, the process advances to step 8132. On the other hand, if the air conditioner wind dew point temperature DPs is high and there is a possibility of dew condensation, the process advances to step 8134.

Then, in step 5132, the thermoelectric element 16 is set to use as a heater, in step 3135, the applied voltage of the proa fan air volume calculated in step 8103 is output to the fan motor, and in step 5136, each door actuator is connected to the air conditioned air supply rod 2o. Output as set to . In this way, the hot air from the air conditioner 3o is supplied to the heat exchange fan 18 of the thermoelectric element 16, and the grip portion 16b of the steering wheel 15 is heated.

Also, if the room temperature rises due to heating inside the vehicle,
Step 5114 moves to step 51.20, a routine for using room air. Then, in step 5122, the indoor dew point temperature DP is calculated in the same way, and in step 81
23, the possibility of condensation is checked, and in step S]24, it is detected from the operating state of the intake door 33 of the air conditioner whether it is in outside air introduction (A) or inside air circulation mode (B).

Here, in the case of outside air introduction mode, step S126
The process then proceeds to step 5128 and subsequent steps, in which each door is switched to the indoor air supply path 24 and the exhaust fan 22 is driven. Therefore, indoor air is sucked in through the air inlet/outlet 19a, exchanges heat with the heat exchange fins 18, and then flows to be discharged outside, continuing to heat the grip portion 15b.

On the other hand, in the case of the inside air circulation mode, the exhaust fan 22 is stopped in step 5129, and each door is connected to the air passages 19, 23, .
27 are switched to communicate with each other and to be connected to the indoor suction port 32. For this reason, room air is sucked in through the air inlet/outlet 19a, exchanges heat with the heat exchange fins 8, and is then sucked into the air conditioner 30, so that the grip portion 1.5b continues to be heated in the same way.

When the grip portion temperature Tg reaches the set temperature Tgset, the process proceeds from step S]08 to step 8134, where the operation of the thermoelectric element 16 is stopped and the heating action of the grip portion 15b is terminated.

In the cooler operation routine, the process proceeds from step 5108 to step S1]0, and the grip part temperature Tg is checked, and in step 5111- the temperature of the thermoelectric element air side temperature Tf (hysteresis 65°C to 70°C) is checked, and in step 5
In step 112, the indoor dew point temperature DPr is calculated using the room temperature Tic and the indoor relative humidity M. Then, in step 5113, the true temperature DPr (hysteresis +2 to +4) of the room 7// is calculated.
If it is determined that the temperature is lower than the grip portion temperature Tg and there is no condensation, the process proceeds to step 5115 and the room temperature Tic is checked. Therefore, if the room temperature Tic is high, step 51
Moving on to the air conditioning air usage routine from 17 onwards, the room temperature Tic changes to the set temperature Tset (hysteresis 0) as the room is cooled.
~+2), the routine shifts to the room air use routine starting from step 5121. In this way, contrary to the above case, the grip portion 15b is cooled using the cold air from the air conditioner 30 and the cold indoor air.

By controlling in this way, it is possible to adjust the temperature of the steering wheel grip, and prevent heating on the high temperature side of the thermoelectric element and condensation on the low temperature side, and when using the thermoelectric element for steering wheel temperature control, It can be made safer and more comfortable.

Furthermore, in the case of heating operation, for example, during unsteady conditions such as warm-up, rapid heating is promoted by using conditioned air that is warmer than the indoor air as the heat source for the thermoelectric element, and during steady periods after the indoor temperature has stabilized, indoor air is used as the heat source. By doing so, the amount of heat contained in the indoor air can be effectively transferred to the steering wheel, and the temperature of the steering wheel can be maintained at an appropriate level. The cooling operation is the same as the heating operation except that the direction of heat transfer is reversed.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the invention,
Air inlet/outlet 1 of air passage 9 disposed in heat exchange fin 18 of thermoelectric element 16 in steering wheel 15
．． A spot blowing nozzle 1.9b is attached to the tip of 9a facing toward the grip portion 15b. In addition, air inlet/outlet 1.9 a and spot blowing nozzle], 9 b
A switching door 19c is provided between the two and can be switched by the driver's operation.

Other than this, the configuration is the same as that in FIG. 2.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained using the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, the heating routine includes step 521.
4. Step 8216 is added, in which the operating state of the switching door] and 9c by the driver is checked, and if there is no spot claw, the process proceeds to step S2i-8 and thereafter, and operates in the same manner as described above.

On the other hand, if there is a spot claw, the process proceeds only to the routine for using the conditioned air after step 5220. Therefore, the grip portion 15b of the steering wheel 15 is heated by the air conditioner 3.
The heat exchanger fins 1
8, it is sprayed as a spot wind from the nozzle 19b toward the grip portion 15b. Then, this spot wind hits the back of the driver's hand, fingertips, and wheel ring,
This makes it possible to heat the room at the same time.

Also in the cooling routine, step S215. Step 52
17 is added, and even in the case of cooling, it is possible to cool the hands and the wheel ring at the same time by blowing cold air from the nozzle 19c, depending on the driver's preference. According to this embodiment, the grip portion 15b of the steering wheel 1-5
Not only that, but the temperature of the driver's hands is also adjusted at the same time.
Comfort is further improved. In addition to the fixed type, the spot blowing nozzle may be of a movable type, or even of an automatic swing type using an actuator.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above, the steering wheel temperature control device of the present invention uses a thermoelectric element capable of controlling both heating and cooling temperatures, and hot or cold air to control the grip portion. Since the grip part is configured to be directly heated or cooled from the inside, the temperature of the grip part can be effectively controlled. Furthermore, by controlling the blowing of heat source air, dew condensation on the thermoelectric element can be suppressed and heat exchange performance can be maintained.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a basic configuration diagram of an electronic control system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of a mechanical structure according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the same embodiment. FIG. 4 is an overall configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the mechanical structure, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment. 2...Grip part temperature detection means 3...Thermoelectric element temperature detection means 4...Air conditioned air relative humidity detection means 5...Indoor/outdoor thermal environment detection means 6...Computer 7.Proa fan motor 8...
・Exhaust fan 9...Each door actuator 10...
Thermoelectric element energization switching means 15...Steering wheel 161. Thermoelectric element 1
7. Thermal conductive material agent Patent attorney Hide Kazu Miyoshi 1. Grip part temperature setting means Fig. 4 Fig. 3 (f) Fig. 5 (a) Fig. 5 (C) Fig. 5 (e)

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) By passing an electric current, one side becomes hot due to heat generation,
A thermoelectric element having the property that the other side becomes low temperature due to heat absorption and the high and low temperatures are reversed when the direction of current is changed, a means for switching the direction of current flow to the thermoelectric element, and one side of the thermoelectric element. Temperature of a steering wheel comprising a thermally conductive material that transfers heat to the grip portion of the steering wheel, means for blowing heat source air to the other surface of the thermoelectric element, and means for controlling the blowing of the heat source air. Regulator. (2) A thermoelectric element that has the property that when a current is passed through it, one surface becomes high temperature and the other surface becomes low temperature, and when the direction of the current is changed, the high temperature and low temperature are reversed, and how to conduct electricity to this thermoelectric element. A means for switching the direction, a thermally conductive material for transferring heat between one surface of the thermoelectric element and the grip portion of the steering wheel, a means for blowing heat source air to the other surface of the thermoelectric element, and a means for controlling the temperature of the grip portion. means for setting, means for detecting the temperature of the grip, means for detecting the temperature of the surface of the thermoelectric element on the heat source air side, means for detecting the dew point temperature of the blast air, and setting and detection of the temperature of the grip. 1. A temperature control device for a steering wheel, comprising: means for controlling the air blowing of heat source electricity based on the temperature, the surface temperature of the thermoelectric element, and the dew point temperature of the air blowing.