JPH0591920U - Automotive air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] (Correction) [Purpose] The manual selection switch is composed of a dial type switch that can reflect analog decision making in the operation, and an automatic switch is provided to easily switch from manual control to automatic operation control. And do it quickly. [Configuration] An automatic switch 43 for designating an automatic control operation of the mode door 15 and the like, a manual selection switch 50 to 52 constituted by a dial type switch which is freely rotatable in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, and an air conditioner. Indicators 55, 57 and 59 for indicating the operation mode of the member and indicators 56, 58 and 60 for indicating the operation mode currently set are provided. Further, when the automatic control operation is designated by the auto switch, the automatic amplifier 20 ignores the operation mode of the air conditioning equipment member selected by the manual selection switch and performs a predetermined automatic control operation, and the manual selection switch is rotated. When this is done, the operation mode is set to a predetermined operation mode corresponding to the rotation direction.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention detects environmental conditions such as vehicle interior temperature that affect air conditioning in the vehicle interior with a sensor group, and maintains the vehicle interior temperature at a set temperature by controlling air conditioners such as fan motors, intake doors, and mode doors. The present invention relates to improvement of an air conditioner for an automobile that automatically controls the operation of equipment members.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 2. Description of the Related Art Some automobile air conditioners in recent years are called automatic air conditioners designed to improve passenger comfort by maintaining a vehicle interior temperature at a set temperature. This automatic air conditioner consists of a sensor group that detects environmental conditions such as vehicle interior temperature, outside air temperature, engine water temperature, and solar radiation amount that affect air conditioning in the vehicle interior, temperature setting means that sets a desired vehicle interior temperature, and a plurality of temperature setting means. It has a fan motor, an intake door, a mix door, a mode door, and other air-conditioning equipment members that are provided to realize the above-mentioned air-conditioning environment in the vehicle interior. It is designed to automatically control the operation of air conditioning equipment members.

In addition to automatic control operation, the automatic air conditioner can also be manually controlled in consideration of the possibility that an occupant may desire an air conditioning state different from the air conditioning state by the automatic control operation. There is. In order to perform this manual control, the automatic air conditioner is provided with a manual selection switch for manually changing the operation of each air conditioning equipment member.

For example, in the case of manually controlling the fan air volume, when the operator operates a manual selection switch relating to the fan air volume, the fan air volume corresponding to the operation of this switch has priority over the fan air volume based on the automatic control. To be selected. It is also possible to switch from automatic control to manual control for various air-conditioning modes such as vent mode and bi-level mode.When the operator operates the manual selection switch for air-conditioning mode, this switch will be operated. The corresponding air conditioning mode is selected prior to the air conditioning mode based on automatic control.

This manual selection switch is provided on a control panel inside the vehicle compartment, and as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 57-151414, there is a dial type switch. For example, FIG. 8 shows an example in which the manual selection switch for the air conditioning mode is composed of a dial type switch. As shown in the figure, the operation knob 18a of the dial switch 18 is rotatably provided in the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction, and a protrusion for indicating the rotation position of the knob 18a is provided on a part of the knob 18a. The portion 18b is formed. Further, around the manual selection switch 18, an operation mode display section 19 is provided which displays a plurality of operation modes of the mode door, that is, an air conditioning mode. The operation mode display section includes, for example, "VENT" (vent mode), "B / L" (bilevel mode), "FOOT" (foot mode), "D / F" (differential foot mode), " It is marked with "DEF" (differential mode) and "Auto".

Assuming that the vent mode is currently set, if the operation knob 18a is rotated clockwise by a predetermined angle from this state, the bi-level mode is set and further rotated clockwise from here. If so, the foot mode is set. Further, the occupant can easily recognize the currently set air conditioning mode from the position of the protruding portion 18b of the operation knob 18a. From this, the advantage of the dial type switch 18 is that the occupant can easily determine in which direction the operation knob 18a should be rotated to obtain the desired air conditioning mode. It can be said that there is a point that can make a decision.

It is also widely practiced to configure the manual selection switch by a self-resetting push switch whose electric signal changes only when it is pressed. As a manual selection switch for the air conditioning mode composed of the self-returning push switch, for example, only one push switch is provided and the air conditioning mode is, for example, VENT → B / L → FOOT each time the occupant pushes the switch. There is one in which the current air conditioning mode is changed in the order of → D / F → DEF → VENT. There is also one in which push switches are provided for the number of air conditioning modes, and the current air conditioning mode is directly changed from the current air conditioning mode to the air conditioning mode corresponding to the switch pushed by the occupant.

[0008]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, as described above, the dial type manual selection switch 18 has an automatic control operation designating automatic control operation as long as the rotational position of the operation knob 18a and the operation mode of the air conditioning equipment member have a one-to-one relationship. If a switch etc. is provided and this auto switch is operated, it is not possible to change all of the plurality of air conditioning equipment members from the manual control state to the automatic control state at once. Therefore, in an auto air conditioner in which the manual selection switch is constituted by the dial type switch 18, no automatic switch or the like is provided, but instead, all dial type manual selection switches are provided with the “auto” position. Was there. For this reason, in order to operate the air conditioner in a so-called fully automatic state in which all of the automatically controllable air conditioner members are automatically controlled, each dial type manual selector switch must be rotated to the “auto” position. Therefore, there is a problem that the operation when setting the fully automatic operation becomes complicated.

In addition, in an automatic air conditioner in which each manual selection switch is composed of a self-resetting push switch, an auto switch for designating automatic control operation is provided, and if this auto switch is operated, a plurality of air conditioning equipment members are operated. It is easy to change all of the above from the manual control state to the automatic control state at once.

However, if each manual selection switch is composed of one self-resetting push switch, analog decision making like a dial type switch cannot be made. The air-conditioning mode may be passed or a mode different from the desired air-conditioning mode may be mistakenly selected, resulting in the disadvantage that the push switch is operated many times. Further, if a plurality of push switches are provided in correspondence with the number of air-conditioning modes, such a drawback can be remedied, but there is also a problem that layout restrictions are imposed as the number of switches increases.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the problems associated with the above-mentioned conventional techniques, and configures a manual selection switch with a dial type switch that can reflect an analog decision making in an operation, and It is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner for a vehicle that can easily and quickly switch from control operation to automatic control operation.

[0012]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The present invention for achieving the above object sets a desired vehicle interior temperature and a sensor group that detects environmental conditions such as vehicle interior temperature, outside air temperature, engine water temperature, and solar radiation amount that affect air conditioning in the vehicle interior. The air conditioner includes a temperature setting means and an air conditioner member such as a fan motor, an intake door, and a mode door that are provided to realize a plurality of air conditioning environments in the vehicle interior. At least one of the air conditioner members is an air conditioner. In an automobile air conditioner capable of automatically controlling the operation of a member, the auto switch for designating the automatic control operation, and a dial type switch capable of freely rotating in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, A manual selection switch for manually changing the operation of the at least one air conditioner member, and a manual selection switch provided in the vicinity of the manual selection switch. And an operating mode display section that displays a plurality of operating modes of one air conditioner member, display means that is provided close to the manual selection switch and that displays the currently set operating mode, and the auto switch. When the automatic control operation is designated, the operation mode of the at least one air conditioner member selected by the manual selection switch is ignored to perform a predetermined automatic control operation, and the manual selection switch is rotated. The air conditioner for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising control means for setting the operation mode of the at least one air conditioner member to a predetermined operation mode in response to the rotation direction.

[0013]

[Operation] When the automatic switch is operated to specify the automatic control operation, the control means ignores the operation mode of the air conditioning equipment member selected by the manual selection switch, and detects the environmental conditions and temperature detected by the sensor group. Based on the temperature set by the setting means, the operation of the air conditioner members such as the fan motor and the mode door is automatically controlled so that the vehicle interior temperature is maintained at the set temperature. As a result, even if the manual selection switch is composed of a dial type switch, the manual control operation of air conditioner members can be switched to the automatic control operation simply by operating the auto switch. Further, when the manual selection switch is rotationally operated, the control means sets the operation mode of the air conditioning equipment member corresponding to the operated switch to a predetermined operation mode in response to the rotational direction. As a result, the air conditioning state desired by the passenger is realized. Since the operation mode display section and the display means are provided close to the manual selection switch, the occupant can easily decide in which direction the switch should be rotated to obtain the desired operation mode. Become.

[0014]

【Example】

 An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automobile air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control device of the embodiment.

The automobile air conditioner 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called automatic air conditioner, and various doors 7, 13, 15a to 15c attached thereto are rotated and the fan motor 9 is driven as shown in FIG. It is controlled by the auto amplifier 20 (corresponding to the control means) shown in FIG.

As is well known, the air conditioner 1 for an automobile has an intake unit 2 that selectively takes in the air inside or outside the vehicle, a cooler unit 3 that cools the taken air, and a cabin that heats the air. The heater unit 4 blows out at a predetermined position, and these are connected in series.

The intake unit 2 is formed with an inside air introduction port 6 for taking in vehicle interior air and an outside air introduction port 5 for taking in outside air, and an intake door 7 for selectively opening and closing these introduction ports 5, 6 is opened and closed. It is provided freely. When the intake door 7 is rotated to the outside air introduction position indicated by F in the figure, the intake mode becomes an outside air introduction mode for taking in only the outside air, and when rotated to the inside air introduction position indicated by R in the figure, the intake mode is changed to only the inside air. It becomes the inside air introduction mode that takes in. Further, when the intake door 7 is rotated to the intermediate position M excluding the outside air introduction position F and the inside air introduction position R, the intake mode is a semi-outside air introduction mode for taking in the outside air and the inside air at a ratio according to the rotation position M. Becomes Further, a fan 8 driven by a fan motor 9 is provided to send the taken-in air to the units 3 and 4 on the downstream side. By adjusting the voltage applied to the fan motor 9, the rotation speed of the fan 8 is changed and the fan air volume is controlled.

The cooler unit 3 contains an evaporator 10 in which a refrigerant circulates. The evaporator 10 exchanges heat between the refrigerant and air to cool the air. The evaporator 10 constitutes a cooling cycle together with a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and the like (not shown).

A heater core 12 for heating air is provided in the heater unit 4 so as to have a bypass passage 16. Engine cooling water circulates in the heater core 12, and the heater core 12 heats the air by exchanging heat between the engine cooling water and air. The temperature of the air blown into the vehicle compartment is adjusted by changing the ratio of the amount of air passing through the heater core 12 to the amount of air passing through the bypass passage 16. Therefore, the mix door 13 is provided in front of the heater core 12. It is openable and closable. When this mix door 13 is rotated to the full hot position indicated by H in the figure, the air flows through the heater core 12 for maximum heating operation, and when it is rotated to the full cool position indicated by C in the figure, all the air is bypassed. The maximum cooling operation is performed through 16. Further, when the mix door 13 is rotated to the intermediate position M excluding the full hot position H and the full cool position C, the air from the cooler unit 3 is heated by the heater core 12 and the bypass passage 16 at a ratio according to the rotational position. After that, the temperature is adjusted to the specified temperature.

A mix chamber 17 is formed downstream of the heater core 12 to mix warm air that has passed through the heater core 12 and is heated with cold air that has passed through the bypass passage 16. A vent port 14a, a foot port 14b, and a defrost port 14c are provided in the heater unit 4 to take out the air in the mix chamber 17. The air from the vent opening 14a is blown toward the upper half of the occupant's body through a vent duct (not shown), and the air from the foot opening 14b is passed through the foot duct (not shown) to the occupant's feet. The air from the defrost port 14c is blown toward the inner surface of the window through a differential duct (not shown). In addition, a vent door 15a, a foot door 15b, and a defrost door 15c (these are collectively referred to as "mode door 15") for opening and closing the openings 14a to 14c are provided for opening and closing.

The air conditioning mode of the vehicle air conditioner 1 includes a vent mode (VENT) that blows air toward the upper half of the occupant, a foot mode (FOOT) that blows air toward the feet, and a head cold foot thermal air conditioning mode. There are various modes such as a level mode (B / L), a diff mode (DEF) that removes fog on the wind, and a diff / foot mode (D / F) that blows air toward the feet and the inner surface of the wind. These air conditioning modes are realized by switching the position of the mode door 15. For example, in the bent mode, the foot door 15b and the defrost door 15c close the foot opening 14b and the defrost opening 14c, respectively, and the vent door 15a opens the vent opening 14a to the maximum.

As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 21 built in the auto amplifier 20 outputs an output signal from the sensor group 22 for detecting an environmental condition affecting the air conditioning in the vehicle through an input / output unit (not shown). Is entered. Further, a control signal is output from the CPU 21 to a circuit and an actuator for driving the air conditioning equipment members such as the fan motor 9 and the intake door 7 via an input / output unit (not shown). Further, the CPU 21 is connected to a control panel 23 provided with switches for operating the operation of the automatic air conditioner 1, and a storage means 24 such as a ROM and a RAM. Then, the auto amplifier 20 arithmetically processes input signals from the sensor group 22 and switches to comprehensively control the control circuit and each actuator.

The sensor group 22 includes an inside air sensor 25 that converts the vehicle interior temperature into a resistance value and detects the temperature, an outside air sensor 26 that converts the outside air temperature into a resistance value and detects the air, and the air after passing through the evaporator 10. An intake sensor 27 for converting the temperature into a resistance value for detection, a refrigerant temperature sensor -28 for converting the refrigerant temperature at the inlet of the evaporator 10 into a resistance value for detection, and a solar radiation amount incident on the passenger compartment into a current value for detection. There are a solar radiation sensor 29, a water temperature sensor 30 for detecting the engine cooling water temperature by converting it into a resistance value, and the like. Each sensor 25 to 30 is connected to the CPU 21.

Further, the CPU 21 includes a fan control circuit 31 for adjusting a voltage applied to the fan motor 9, an intake door actuator 32 for driving the intake door 7, a mix door actuator 33 for driving the mix door 13, and a mode door. A mode door actuator 34 for driving the compressor 15, a compressor controller 36 for on / off control of the compressor 35, etc. are connected.

The control panel 23 is provided with an operation unit 40 in which various switches are arranged and a display unit 41 for displaying the operating state of the air conditioner. The main functions of each switch arranged in the operation unit are as follows.

The switch 42 is an OFF switch that stops the operation of the fan 8 and the compressor 35. When the OFF switch 42 is pressed, all the display on the display unit 41 is turned off, and the intake door 7 is It is rotated to the outside air introduction position F.

The switch 43 is an auto switch for designating automatic control operation, and the auto switch 43 in the illustrated example has an economy switch 43a and an air conditioner switch 43b. When the economy switch 43a is pressed once, the auto switch 43a Automatic control operation accompanied by fuel saving control is performed, and when pressed twice, automatic control operation is performed with the compressor 35 always turned off. On the other hand, when the air conditioner switch 43b is pressed, the automatic control operation is performed with the compressor 35 always kept ON. When the automatic control operation is designated, a display corresponding to the designation is displayed on the display unit 41.

The OFF switch 42 and the auto switch 43 are composed of self-resetting push switches whose electric signals change only when they are pressed.

The switch 45 is a temperature setting switch as a temperature setting means for setting a desired vehicle interior temperature, and is composed of a dial type switch which is rotatable by a predetermined angle in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. There is. By rotating the operation knob 45a of the switch 45 in the clockwise direction, for example, a low temperature is set, and by rotating it in the counterclockwise direction, a high temperature is set. Further, each time the switch 45 is turned, the set temperature can be changed by 0.5 ° C., for example, and can be freely set within a range of 18.0 to 32.0 ° C., for example. The temperature set by operating the switch 45 is displayed on the display unit 41. When the target temperature is set, the auto-amplifier 20 compares and calculates whether the relationship between the condition determined by the input signals from the sensor group 22 and the opening of the air mix door 13 is appropriate. Based on this, by moving or stopping the mix door 13 toward the full hot H side or the full cool C side, the opening degree of the air mix door 13 is controlled so as to always be an appropriate opening degree.

Further, various manual selection switches 50 to 50 for manually changing the operation of the air conditioning equipment members such as the fan motor 9, the intake door 7, and the mode door 15 provided to realize a plurality of air conditioning environments in the vehicle interior 52 is provided on the operation unit 40. In the illustrated example, as the manual selection switch, a fan switch 50 for manually selecting the air volume, a blowout port switch 51 for manually selecting the air conditioning mode by the mode door 15, and a suction port switch 52 for manually selecting the intake mode by the intake door 7 are provided. It has been done. These switches 50, 51, 52 are dial-type switches that can rotate in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, and in particular, dial switches that can rotate in both directions endlessly without restriction on the range of rotation in both directions. It is composed of As shown in FIG. 3, the operation knobs 50a and 51a of the fan switch 50 and the outlet switch 51 are coaxially and rotatably provided independently of each other, and are provided outside the operation knob 50a of the fan switch 50. The diameter is formed smaller than the outer diameter of the operation knob 51a of the outlet switch 51 to form a double switch. The suction port switch 52 and the temperature setting switch 45 are also double switches. This reduces the space for providing the switches 50, 51, 52, 45.

The fan switch 50 is for manually selecting the fan air volume by switching the voltage applied to the fan motor 9. By rotating the switch 50, the voltage applied to the fan motor 9 is switched, so that the fan air volume is, for example, auto, off, the first air volume (small air volume), the second air volume (slightly small air volume), It can be freely selected from the third air volume (slightly high air volume) and the fourth air volume (high air volume). The six air volume modes correspond to a plurality of operation modes of the fan motor 9. Further, the display unit 41 adjacent to the fan switch 50 is provided with six indicators 55 (corresponding to operation mode display units) for displaying each air volume mode. Further, an indicator 56 (corresponding to display means) that can be turned on and off is provided in correspondence with each marker 55 in order to display the currently set air volume mode.

When the operation knob 50a of the fan switch 50 is rotationally operated, the auto amplifier 20 sets the operation mode of the fan motor 9, that is, the air volume mode to a predetermined air volume mode in accordance with the rotation direction. Is becoming In particular, in the dial type fan switch 50 according to the present embodiment, the rotational position of the operation knob 50a and the air volume mode do not correspond in a one-to-one relationship, and when the operation knob 50a is rotated in the clockwise direction. From the current air volume mode, the air volume modes corresponding to the signs 55 are sequentially set in the clockwise direction, and when rotating in the counterclockwise direction, the air volume modes corresponding to the signs 55 are changed from the current air volume mode. It is set sequentially along the counterclockwise direction. For example, if the auto mode is currently selected, the fan motor 9 is turned off when the operation knob 50a is rotated counterclockwise, the indicator 56 corresponding to the auto indicator 55 is turned off, and the indicator 55 corresponding to the off indicator 55 is displayed. The corresponding indicator 56 lights up. Further, when rotating in the counterclockwise direction, the fourth air volume mode is set, the indicator 56 corresponding to the automatic indicator 55 is turned off, and the indicator 56 corresponding to the fourth air volume indicator 55 is turned on.

The outlet switch 51 is for manually selecting the air conditioning mode by rotating the mode door 15 to a predetermined position by the mode door actuator 34. By rotating this switch 51, the opening and closing of the air outlet by the mode door 15 is switched, and the air conditioning mode is freely selected from, for example, auto, VENT, B / L, FOOT, D / F, and DEF. .. The six air conditioning modes correspond to a plurality of operation modes of the mode door 15. Further, along the outer circumference of the air outlet switch 51, six indicators 57 (corresponding to operation mode display portions) for displaying each air conditioning mode are provided. Further, in order to display the currently set air conditioning mode, indicators 58 (corresponding to display means) that can be turned on and off are provided in correspondence with the respective markers 57.

When the operation knob 51a of the outlet switch 51 is rotated, the auto amplifier 20 sets the operation mode of the mode door 15, that is, the air conditioning mode to a predetermined air conditioning mode in accordance with the rotation direction. It has become. In particular, in the dial type outlet switch 51 in this embodiment, the rotation position of the operation knob 51a and the air conditioning mode do not correspond in a one-to-one relationship, and the operation knob 51a is rotated clockwise. Then, from the current air conditioning mode, the air conditioning modes corresponding to the signs 57 are sequentially set in the clockwise direction, and when rotating counterclockwise, the air conditioning modes corresponding to the signs 57 are changed from the current air conditioning mode. Are set sequentially along the counterclockwise direction. For example, if the auto mode is currently selected, the VENT mode is set when the operation knob 51a is rotated in the clockwise direction, the indicator 58 corresponding to the auto indicator 57 is turned off, and the VENT indicator 57 is associated. The indicator 58 is turned on. Further, when it is rotated counterclockwise, the DEF mode is set, the indicator 58 corresponding to the auto sign 57 is turned off, and the indicator 58 corresponding to the DEF sign 57 is turned on.

The intake port switch 52 is for manually selecting the intake mode by rotating the intake door 7 to a predetermined position by the intake door actuator 32. By rotating the switch 52, opening / closing of the intake port by the intake door 7 is switched, and the intake mode is freely selected from, for example, auto, inside air introduction, and outside air introduction. The three intake modes correspond to a plurality of operation modes of the intake door 7. Further, three markers 59 (corresponding to operation mode display portions) for displaying each intake mode are provided along the outer periphery of the suction port switch 52. Further, in order to display the currently set intake mode, an indicator 60 (corresponding to display means) that can be turned on and off is provided in correspondence with each indicator 59.

When the operation knob 52a of the suction port switch 52 is rotationally operated, the auto amplifier 20 sets the operation mode of the intake door 7, that is, the intake mode to a predetermined air conditioning mode in accordance with the rotation direction. It is like this. In particular, in the dial type inlet port switch 52 in this embodiment, the rotational position of the operation knob 52a and the intake mode do not correspond in a one-to-one relationship, and when the operation knob 52a is rotated clockwise, From the current intake mode, the intake mode corresponding to the indicator 59 is sequentially set in the clockwise direction, and when the intake mode rotates counterclockwise, the intake mode corresponding to the indicator 59 is reversed from the current intake mode. It is set sequentially along the clockwise direction. For example, if the auto mode is currently selected, rotating the operation knob 52a in the clockwise direction sets the inside air introduction mode, turns off the indicator 60 corresponding to the auto indicator 59, and corresponds to the inside air introduction indicator 59. The indicator 60 is turned on. Further, when rotating in the counterclockwise direction, the outside air introduction mode is set, the indicator 60 corresponding to the automatic indicator 59 is turned off, and the indicator 60 corresponding to the outside air introduction indicator 59 is turned on.

When the occupant pushes the auto switch 43 to specify the automatic control operation, the auto amplifier 20 of the present embodiment ignores the air conditioning mode or the like selected by the manual selection switches 50 to 52 and ignores the vehicle interior temperature. A predetermined automatic control operation is performed so as to keep the temperature at the set temperature. On the other hand, when the dial type manual selection switches 50 to 52 are rotationally operated during the automatic control operation or the manual control operation, as described above, the auto amplifier 20 operates in the air conditioning mode according to the rotational direction. Etc. are set to a predetermined mode.

The rotation direction of the dial type manual selection switches 50 to 52 is detected as follows. As shown in Fig. 6, when the dial switch that outputs codes 0 to 7 is clicked to the right, the output is 0 → 1 → 2 → 3 → ... → 7 → 0 → 1 → .... The contact turns on and off. On the contrary, when the button is clicked to the left, the contacts are turned on and off so as to output 0 → 7 → 6 → 5 → ... → 1 → 0 → 7 → .... Therefore, by comparing the current code and the next code, the rotation direction of the dial type manual selection switches 50 to 52 can be detected, and the number of clicks thereof can also be detected. For example, if the current code is “0” and the next code is “2”, it can be determined that the clip has rotated two clicks to the right in the figure, and the current code is “0” and the next code is “5”. In that case, it can be determined that the image has rotated three clicks to the left in the figure.

The method of detecting the rotation direction is not limited to the above, and there are the following methods. As shown in FIG. 7A, if a dial switch having a disk in which black and white are alternately repeated and four photo interrupts SW1 to SW4 is used, the rotation direction of the manual selection switches 50 to 52 is changed to the photo interrupt SW1. ~ Detection can be made based on the detection time difference of SW4. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the dial switch is rotated to the right, the difference t24 between the detection times of SW2 and SW4 is more than the difference t13 between the detection times of SW1 and SW3. Is larger, it can be determined based on this that the dial switch has rotated to the right. The number of clicks is determined by the number of SW1 edges. On the other hand, when the dial switch is rotated to the left, the waveform shown in the figure reverses, and t13> t24. It can be determined that the dial switch has rotated to the left.

The air conditioning mode and the like can be detected by detecting the mode door position with a position detection switch built in the mode door actuator 34, and data relating to the currently set air conditioning mode and the like is It is updated and recorded in the storage means 24.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are subroutines that perform processing when the outlet switch 51 is operated. When this subroutine starts, the operation knob 51a of the dial-type outlet switch 51 is rotated clockwise (rightward) in step S1. Direction) or counterclockwise (left). If it is determined that the air conditioner has been rotated in the clockwise direction, the currently set air-conditioning mode stored in the storage means 24 is auto mode, DEF mode, VENT mode, or B / L in steps S2 to S6. Mode or FOOT mode is determined.

When it is determined in step S2 that the currently set air conditioning mode is the auto mode, the flag instructing the auto control is cleared and the indicator 58 corresponding to the auto indicator 57 is cleared in step S7. Turn off. When the occupant rotates the operation knob 51a in the clockwise direction (to the right) from the automatic control state, when the occupant sees the sign 57 and wants to change the air conditioning mode to VENT → B / L → FOOT → .... Is. Therefore, in step S8, a flag for fixing the air conditioning mode to the VENT mode is set and the indicator 58 corresponding to the VENT indicator 57 is turned on.

When it is determined that the current air-conditioning mode manually selected in step S3 is the DEF mode, it is because the occupant wants to change the air-conditioning mode from DEF to VENT. Is set to the VENT mode, and the indicator 58 corresponding to the VENT indicator 57 is turned on. Further, the indicator 58 corresponding to the DEF indicator 57 is turned off.

When it is determined that the current manually selected air conditioning mode is the VENT mode in step S4, it is when the occupant wants to change the air conditioning mode from VENT to B / L, so the process proceeds to step S9. A flag for fixing the air conditioning mode to the B / L mode is set, and an indicator 58 corresponding to the B / L indicator 57 is turned on. Further, the indicator 58 corresponding to the VENT marker 57 is turned off.

When it is determined that the current air-conditioning mode manually selected in step S5 is the B / L mode, it is when the occupant wants to change the air-conditioning mode from B / L to FOOT. Then, the flag for fixing the air conditioning mode to the FOOT mode is set and the indicator 58 corresponding to the FOOT mark 57 is turned on. Further, the indicator 58 corresponding to the B / L indicator 57 is turned off.

When it is determined that the current manually selected air conditioning mode is the FOOT mode in step S6, it is when the occupant wants to change the air conditioning mode from FOOT to D / F. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S11. A flag for fixing the air conditioning mode to the D / F mode is set, and the indicator 58 corresponding to the D / F indicator 57 is turned on. Further, the indicator 58 corresponding to the FOOT mark 57 is turned off.

When NO is determined in step S6, the manually selected current air conditioning mode is the D / F mode, and the occupant wants to change the air conditioning mode from D / F to DEF. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S12, the flag for fixing the air conditioning mode to the DEF mode is set, and the indicator 58 corresponding to the DEF indicator 57 is turned on. Further, the indicator 58 corresponding to the D / F indicator 57 is turned off.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1 that the operation knob 51a of the dial-type outlet switch 51 has been rotated counterclockwise (to the left), the current setting is performed in steps S20 to S24 shown in FIG. It is determined whether the air-conditioning mode being controlled is the auto mode, the VENT mode, the DEF mode, the D / F mode, or the FOOT mode.

When it is determined in step S20 that the currently set air conditioning mode is the auto mode, the auto control flag is cleared and the indicator 58 corresponding to the auto indicator 57 is turned off in step S25. When the occupant rotates the operation knob 51a counterclockwise (to the left) from the automatic control state, when the occupant sees the sign and wants to change the air conditioning mode to DEF → D / F → FOOT → …… is there. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S26, the DEF fixed flag is set, and the indicator 58 corresponding to the DEF indicator 57 is turned on.

When it is determined in step S21 that the current manually selected air conditioning mode is the VENT mode, the occupant wants to change the air conditioning mode from VENT to DEF, so the procedure proceeds to step S26. The DEF fixed flag is set and the indicator 58 corresponding to the DEF indicator 57 is turned on. Further, the indicator 58 corresponding to the VENT label 57 is turned off.

If it is determined in step S22 that the current manually selected air conditioning mode is the DEF mode, it means that the occupant wants to change the air conditioning mode from DEF to D / F. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S27. The D / F fixed flag is set and the indicator 58 corresponding to the D / F indicator 57 is turned on. Further, the indicator 58 corresponding to the DEF indicator 57 is turned off.

When it is determined that the current air-conditioning mode manually selected in step S23 is the D / F mode, the occupant wants to change the air-conditioning mode from D / F to FOOT. Then, the FOOT fixed flag is set and the indicator 58 corresponding to the FOOT mark 57 is turned on. Further, the indicator 58 corresponding to the D / F label 57 is turned off.

If it is determined in step S24 that the current manually selected air conditioning mode is the FOOT mode, the occupant wants to change the air conditioning mode from FOOT to B / L. Then, the B / L fixed flag is set and the indicator 58 corresponding to the B / L indicator 57 is turned on. Further, the indicator 58 corresponding to the FOOT mark 57 is turned off.

When NO is determined in step S24, the manually selected current air conditioning mode is the B / L mode, and the occupant wants to change the air conditioning mode from B / L to VENT. Therefore, in step S30, the VENT fixed flag is set and the indicator 58 corresponding to the VENT indicator 57 is turned on. Further, the indicator 58 corresponding to the B / L indicator 57 is turned off.

After the predetermined flag is set and the predetermined indicator 58 is turned on and off as described above, the routine proceeds to another routine (not shown) for controlling the drive of the mode door 15. In this routine, the mode door actuator 34 is driven based on the set flag, and the mode door 15 is rotated to a predetermined position to realize the selected air conditioning mode. Further, the data regarding the selected air conditioning mode is updated and recorded in the storage means 24.

Although not shown, a subroutine for performing processing when the fan switch 50 and the suction port switch 52 are operated is performed in the same manner as the subroutine for the blowout port switch 51 described above.

Then, when the air conditioner is started or when the occupant pushes the auto switch 43 to specify the automatic control operation, the auto amplifier 20 causes the fan air volume mode and the air conditioning mode selected by the manual selection switches 50 to 52. , The intake mode is ignored, and based on the environmental conditions detected by the sensor group 22, the rotation speed of the fan motor 9 and the opening / closing of the mode door 15 and the intake door 7 are maintained so as to keep the temperature inside the vehicle at the set temperature. To perform predetermined automatic control operation. Further, the indicators 56, 58 and 60 corresponding to the currently set modes of the respective switches 50 to 52 are turned off, and the indicators 56, 58 and 60 corresponding to the auto signs 55, 57 and 59 are turned on.

On the other hand, when the dial type manual selection switches 50 to 52 are rotationally operated during the automatic control operation or the manual control operation, the auto amplifier 20 causes the fan air volume mode, the air conditioning mode, and the air conditioning mode to correspond to the rotational direction. Set the mode and intake mode to the specified modes and perform manual control operation. Further, the indicators 56, 58 and 60 corresponding to the auto signs 55, 57 and 59 of the switches 50 to 52 are turned off, and the indicators 56, 58 and 60 corresponding to the set mode are turned on.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the operating knob rotation positions of the manual selection switches 50 to 52 do not correspond to the operation modes of the air conditioner members such as the mode door 15 in a one-to-one relationship. Even in the case of an auto air conditioner in which the manual selection switches 50 to 52 are dial type switches, the auto switch 43, which cannot be provided conventionally, can be provided. Therefore, if the auto switch 43 is operated, all of the plurality of air conditioning equipment members 7, 9, 15 can be collectively changed from the manual control state to the automatic control state. The operation is extremely easy and quick.

Further, even if each of the manual selection switches 50 to 52 is configured as described above, the advantage of the dial type switch that can make an analog decision is not impaired, and the manual selection switch 50 of the present embodiment is not impaired. .About.52 match the occupant's sensitivity. Moreover, as in the case where the manual selection switch is composed of a self-resetting push switch, the occupant may select an undesired control state, resulting in a large number of operations. There is no problem of being restricted.

Further, when the outlet switch or the like is configured by the self-resetting push switch, the outlet switching control can be performed only when the air conditioner is operating, but as in the present embodiment, the dial switch is used. If the air outlet switch 51 and the like are configured with, it is possible to easily perform the switching control of the air outlet and the air inlet even when the air conditioner is stopped.

Although the case where the present invention is applied to all of the fan air flow rate control, the air outlet control, and the suction port control has been described, at least one of the air conditioning equipment members may operate as described above.

[0063]

[Effect of the device]

 As described above, according to the vehicle air conditioner of the present invention, the manual selection switch is constituted by the dial type switch that can reflect the analog decision making in the operation, and the automatic switch is provided to automatically switch from the manual control operation. It is possible to easily and quickly switch to the control operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an automobile air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control device of the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a manual selection switch in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a subroutine that performs a process when an outlet switch (manual selection switch) is operated in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a subroutine that performs processing when an outlet switch (manual selection switch) is operated in the same embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of a dial switch for detecting the rotation direction of a dial type manual selection switch.

FIG. 7 (A) is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of another dial switch for detecting the rotation direction of a dial type manual selection switch, and FIG. 7 (B) is shown in FIG. 7 (A). Conceptual diagram showing the method for determining the direction of rotation with the dial switch

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a conventional manual selection switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

7 ... Intake door (air conditioning equipment member) 9 ... Fan motor (air conditioning equipment member) 15 ... Mode door (air conditioning equipment member) 20 ... Auto amplifier (control means) 22 ... Sensor group 43 ... Auto switch 45 ... Temperature setting switch (temperature) Setting means) 50 ... Fan switch (manual selection switch) 51 ... Air outlet switch (manual selection switch) 52 ... Suction opening switch (manual selection switch) 50a, 51a, 52a ... Operation knob 55, 57, 59 ... Mark (operation mode) Display unit) 56, 58, 60 ... Indicator (display means)

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A vehicle interior temperature that affects air conditioning in the vehicle interior,
A group of sensors (22) that detect environmental conditions such as outside air temperature, engine water temperature, and solar radiation, temperature setting means (45) that sets a desired vehicle interior temperature, and to realize multiple air conditioning environments in the vehicle interior. It has an air conditioner member (9, 7, 15) such as a fan motor, intake door, mode door, etc. provided, and operation of at least one air conditioner member (9 (7, 15)) of these air conditioner members In an air conditioner for an automobile capable of automatically controlling, an automatic switch (43) for designating the automatic control operation, and a dial type switch capable of unlimited rotation in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, A manual selector switch (50 (51,52)) for manually changing the operation of at least one air conditioner component (9 (7,15)), and in close proximity to this manual selector switch (50 (51,52)). And at least one air conditioner member (9 ( (7,15)) has a plurality of operating modes, and the operating mode display section (5
5 (57,59)) and display means for displaying the operation mode currently set, which is provided close to the manual selection switch (50 (51,52)).
(56 (58,60)), and when the automatic control operation is designated by the auto switch (43), the manual selection switch (50 (51,52))
The operation mode of the at least one air conditioner member (9 (7,15)) selected by the above is ignored, and predetermined automatic control operation is performed, and the manual selection switch (50 (51,52)) is rotated. And a control means (20) for setting the operation mode of the at least one air conditioner member (9 (7,15)) to a predetermined operation mode in response to the rotation direction. Air conditioner for automobiles.