JPH06147978A - Solar radiation detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a solar radiation detecting device which can detect the direction and intensity of solar radiation with high accuracy even when the angle of the solar radiation is low. CONSTITUTION:The solar radiation sensor 31 of the title device is provided with a plurality of photoreceptor elements 41 and 43 respectively covered with milk-white diffusion plates 45 and 47. In addition, the elements 41 and 43 are covered with a transparent filter 37 which is coated with a light shielding member 50 composed of a black resin. A light passing section 51 which allows light to pass through to the elements 41 and 43 and, at the same time, makes the elements 41 and 43 to have different characteristics against solar radiation is provided. In addition, an outer peripheral passing section 54 which leads light to the element 43 when the angle of solar radiation is low is provided on the side face of the filter 37. When the angle of the solar radiation is low, light is made incident on the section 54 and the diffusion plate 47 directs the light towards the element 43.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a solar radiation detector for detecting the direction and intensity of solar radiation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional technique, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-731.
Techniques disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-2008 and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-52208 are known. In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-73108, a cross partition plate having a predetermined height is arranged on the surface of the light receiving element, and the solar radiation direction and the solar radiation intensity are calculated from the output of each light receiving element partitioned by the partition plate. It is to be calculated. The technology disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 52208/1993 is
The solar radiation direction and the solar radiation intensity are calculated from the respective outputs of the light receiving element inclined to the right side in the vehicle traveling direction, the light receiving element inclined to the left side in the vehicle traveling direction, and the light receiving element directed upward.

[0003]

Since the light receiving element has directional characteristics centered on the direction perpendicular to the light receiving surface, the detection accuracy is remarkably poor for low-intensity solar radiation with an elevation angle of 20 ° or less. There was a problem that became.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a solar radiation detecting device having a high detection accuracy even for low altitude solar radiation.

[0005]

A solar radiation detection device of the present invention is provided with a plurality of light receiving elements for converting an optical signal into an electric signal, and above the plurality of light receiving elements and corresponding to each light receiving element. A plurality of light passing portions that pass light from above, and an outer periphery that is provided on the side of at least one light receiving element of the plurality of light receiving elements and that passes light from the side of the at least one light receiving element. A light blocking member having a light passing portion, provided between the at least one light receiving element and the outer peripheral light passing portion, diffuses the light passing through the outer light passing portion, and makes the light incident on the at least one light receiving element. Technical means including a diffusion plate and an electric circuit for calculating the direction of solar radiation and the intensity of solar radiation based on the amount of light received by the plurality of light receiving elements is adopted.

[0006]

When the altitude of solar radiation is relatively high, the light passing through each light passing portion enters each light receiving element.
Then, the electric circuit calculates the direction and intensity of the solar radiation from the light receiving amounts of the plurality of light receiving elements. If the altitude of solar radiation is low,
Light that has passed through the outer peripheral light passage portion from the side of the light receiving element and enters the light receiving element via the diffusion plate. That is, the light having a low altitude and passing through the outer peripheral light passage portion is diffused by the diffusion plate and is directed to at least one light receiving element among a plurality of light beams. Then, the electric circuit calculates the direction and intensity of solar radiation using the amount of light received by the light receiving element.

[0007]

As described above, the solar radiation detecting apparatus of the present invention guides light from the outer peripheral light passage portion to each light receiving element and diffuses the solar radiation of low altitude even when the altitude of solar radiation is low. Aim at each light receiving element with a plate. Therefore, even when the solar radiation altitude is low, the direction and intensity of solar radiation can be detected with higher accuracy than in the past.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a solar radiation detecting device of the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. [Structure of Embodiment] FIGS. 1 to 10 show an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a schematic structure diagram of an automobile air conditioner. The air conditioning apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is capable of adjusting different air volumes to the right side and the left side with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle and blowing out the same, and is provided with a duct 2 for sending air into the vehicle interior. . At the upstream end of this duct 2,
A blower 3 is provided in the duct 2 to generate an air flow toward the passenger compartment. The air suction port of the blower 3 is provided with an inside / outside air switching unit 4 for switching between the outside air (air outside the vehicle compartment) and the inside air (air inside the vehicle cabin) to guide the air to the blower 3. In the duct 2, cooling means 5 for cooling the air flowing in the duct 2 from upstream to downstream,
A heating unit 6 for heating the air flowing in the duct 2 is provided, and the air is blown toward the passenger compartment from the respective air outlets provided at the downstream end.

The inside / outside air switching means 4 includes an inside / outside air switching box 9 having an inside air introducing port 7 for introducing the inside air and an outside air introducing port 8 for introducing the outside air. An inside / outside air switching damper 10 is provided inside the inside / outside air switching box 9.
Thus, the air sucked by the blower 3 can be switched between the inside air and the outside air. The inside / outside air switching damper 10 is
The inside / outside air switching actuator 11 is driven, and the inside / outside air switching actuator 11 is controlled by an electric circuit 12 described later. The blower 3 includes a scroll case 13, a motor 14, and a centrifugal fan 1.
5, the fan 15 rotates when the motor 14 is energized, and blows the air sucked from the inside / outside air switching means 4 into the duct 2. The number of rotations of the motor 14 is variable depending on the power supplied by the motor drive circuit 16.
The motor drive circuit 16 is controlled by the electric circuit 12 described later. The cooling means 5 is a refrigerant evaporator of a well-known refrigeration cycle (not shown), and cools the air passing through the cooling means 5 (refrigerant evaporator) according to the operation of the refrigeration cycle. The heating means 6 is a heater core that uses engine cooling water (warm water) (not shown) as a heat source. In the duct 2,
A bypass passage 18 for bypassing the heating means 6 is provided, and an air mix damper 19 for adjusting the ratio of the amount of air passing through the heating means 6 and the bypass passage 18 is provided on the air upstream side of the bypass passage 18. The amount of air passing through the heating means 6 changes according to the opening of the air mix damper 19, and the temperature of the air flowing through the duct 2 is adjusted. Air mix damper 1
9 is driven by the air mix actuator 20.
Are controlled by an electric circuit 12 described later.

At the downstream end of the duct 2, there is provided an air outlet for blowing out the air passing through the duct 2 toward each part in the room. This air outlet is from the center of the front part of the passenger compartment toward the upper half of the occupant's upper body, and mainly blows out cool air. The side face outlet 22 mainly blows cold air, and the heater outlet 23 mainly blows warm air toward the feet of the occupant. Inside the duct 2 downstream of the heating means 6, there is an outlet switching damper 24 for adjusting the amount of air introduced to the center face outlet 21 and the side face outlet 22 and the amount of air introduced to the heater outlet 23. It is provided. The outlet switching damper 24 is driven by the outlet switching actuator 25, and the outlet switching actuator 25 is controlled by the electric circuit 12 described later.
Further, inside the duct 2 upstream of the center face outlet 21 and the side face outlet 22, right and left air volume control for adjusting the amount of air blown to the driver side and the amount of air blown to the passenger side. A damper 26 is provided.
The left / right air volume control damper 26 is driven by a left / right air volume control actuator 27, and the left / right air volume control actuator 27 includes an electric circuit 12 described later.
Controlled by. On the other hand, the duct 2 of this embodiment is provided with a cold air bypass duct 28 that bypasses the heating means 6 and directly guides the air passing through the cooling means 5 to the upstream of the center face outlet 21 and the side face outlet 22. There is. At the downstream end of the cold air bypass duct 28, the cold air for switching the air introduced to the center face outlet 21 and the side face outlet 22 to the air passing through the heating means 6 or the air passing through the cold air bypass duct 28. A bypass switching damper 29 is provided. The cold air bypass switching damper 29 is driven by the cold air bypass switching actuator 30, and the cold air bypass switching actuator 30 is controlled by the electric circuit 12 described later.

The inside / outside air switching actuator 11, the motor drive circuit 16, the air mix actuator 20, the outlet switching actuator 25, the left / right air volume control actuator 27, and the cold air bypass switching actuator 30 shown above are microcomputers. Energization is controlled by the electric circuit 12 used. The electric circuit 12 measures the solar radiation sensor 31 to which the present invention is applied, the outside air temperature sensor 32 that measures the temperature of the outside air, the inside air temperature sensor 33 that measures the temperature inside the passenger compartment, and the air temperature immediately after passing through the cooling means 5. Various signals from the post-evaporator temperature sensor 34, the water temperature sensor 35 that measures the temperature of the cooling water, and the switch panel 36 are input, and the above-mentioned electric components are energized and controlled based on the control procedure input in advance. Switch panel 3
6 includes an auto switch, a manual setting means for various modes, and a temperature setting device.

Next, a solar radiation detecting device to which the present invention is applied will be described. The solar radiation detection device includes the solar radiation sensor 31 shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 and the electric circuit 12 shown in FIG.
That is, the electric circuit 12 has a function of calculating the direction and intensity of solar radiation according to the output from the solar radiation sensor 31, in addition to the air conditioning control. The solar radiation sensor 31 will be described. The solar radiation sensor 31 of this embodiment includes a filter 37.
And a substrate 38 and a housing 39.
Is fixed by being sandwiched between the filter 37 and the housing 39.

On the upper surface of the substrate 38, three light receiving elements 41,
42 and 43 are mounted on the same plane. Each light receiving element 4
Reference numerals 1, 42, and 43 denote light receiving elements of the same standard, which convert the received solar radiation, that is, an optical signal into an electric signal. When the vehicle traveling direction on the board 38 is the x-axis direction and the left-right direction with respect to the vehicle traveling direction is the y-axis direction, one of the three light-receiving elements 41, 42, 43 is the center light-receiving element 41.
Is located behind the sensor center point on the x-axis, and
One of the three light receiving elements 41, 42, 43 is arranged on the right side of the x-axis with respect to the vehicle traveling direction and in front of the center point.
The remaining one left photodetector element 43 among 1, 42 and 43
Is arranged on the left side of the vehicle traveling direction of the x-axis and in front of the center point. The right light-receiving element 42 and the left light-receiving element 43 are arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to the x axis. Further, on the lower surface of the substrate 38, each light receiving element 4
A signal line 44 that guides the outputs of 1, 42, and 43 to the electric circuit 12.
And the signal line 44 is connected to the hole 3 of the housing 39.
It is led to the outside from 9a.

Further, the light receiving elements 41, 42 and 43 mounted on the upper surface of the substrate 38 are covered with diffused plates 45, 46 and 47, which are made of milky white resin and have a cylindrical shape. The diffusion plates 45, 46, and 47 diffuse the light incident from the filter 37, and the light receiving elements 41, 42, and 43.
Is to be incident on. The center diffusion plate 45, which covers the center light receiving element 41, is a paint that shields the light only on the curved surface of the side surface so that only the upper light is incident on the center light receiving element 41, as shown in FIGS. A shielding member 48 made of, for example, a film is provided. Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the right diffusion plate 46 and the left diffusion plate 47 which cover the right light receiving element 42 and the left light receiving element 43 are not provided with the shielding member 48.

As shown in FIG. 3, the filter 37 is a transparent body such as acryl or glass having a shape of a heavenly cylinder, and its surface has three upper surfaces (51, 52,
53), and a portion other than the front side half (54) of the filter 37 is coated with a black resin light shielding member 50. And these 51, 52, 53, 54 form the light passage part which lets sunlight pass. The three light passing portions 51, 52, 53 have a circular shape with the same diameter, and the center light passing portion 51 of the three light passing portions 51, 52, 53 that passes light to the center light receiving element 41 is the center light receiving portion. It is formed right above the element 41. In addition, the light receiving element 4
The center of the light light passage portion 52 that allows light to pass through 2 is a fixed angle θ at the front right with respect to the center of the light receiving element 42.
They are provided so as to be displaced by a predetermined distance in the direction (for example, 45 °). On the other hand, the left light passage portion 53 that allows light to pass to the left light receiving element 43 is provided such that the center thereof is displaced from the center of the left light receiving element 43 by a predetermined distance in the left front direction at a constant angle θ. That is, the right light passage portion 52 and the left light passage portion 53 are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the x axis. In addition, the outer peripheral light passage portion 54 includes
Is provided in the front half of the curved surface of the side surface in the traveling direction. Although the filter 37 is formed on the side surface in this embodiment, it may be formed on the upper surface. Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which one outer peripheral light passage portion 54 is provided is shown, but it may be provided separately in accordance with the light receiving element.

Next, the air conditioner 1 using the electric circuit 12
The control will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the air conditioner switch is turned on (start), the initial value is set (step S1). Then, each signal (data) is input from each sensor and the switch panel 36 (step S2). Next, the three light receiving elements 4 of the solar radiation sensor 31
The direction of the solar radiation and the solar radiation intensity are calculated based on the received light amounts of 1, 42, and 43. That is, the sun position is determined (step S3). Next, the target outlet temperature TAO required for vehicle interior air conditioning is calculated by the following equation (step S4). TAO = Kset * Tset-Kr * Tr-Kam * Tam-K
s × Ts + C where Kset, Kr, Kam, Ks, and C are constants, Tset is the set temperature set by the temperature setting device of the switch panel 36, Tr is the room temperature, Tam is the outside air temperature, and Ts is calculated in step S3. It is the solar radiation intensity. Next, the inside / outside air switching actuator 11, the motor drive circuit 16, the air mix actuator 20, and the outlet switching actuator 25 are controlled based on the calculated target outlet temperature TAO (step S5). Next, based on the sun position determined in step S3, the left / right air volume control actuator 27 and the cold air bypass switching actuator 30 are controlled to control the temperature difference between the upper and lower sides or the left / right air volume difference (step S6) and then returns to step S2.

[Operation of Embodiment] Next, the above step S
3 control operation, that is, the solar radiation sensor 31 and the electric circuit 12
The operation of the solar radiation measuring apparatus according to the above will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. First, 7 showing the sun position
Three flags (H; high altitude, MC; middle altitude front, MR; middle altitude right front, ML; middle altitude left front, LC; low altitude front,
LR: low altitude right front, LL: low altitude left front) are set to 0 (step S10). Next, the output currents IR and IL of the right light receiving element 42 and the left light receiving element 43 are compared (step S11). Here, when the sun position is almost in front of the vehicle, the ratio of the output currents IR and IL is close to 1.
That is, the ratio of the output currents IR and IL falls within the range of 1 / X to X which is set to about 1 in advance (YES), and the process proceeds to step S12 described later. Conversely, if the sun position shifts to the left or right of the vehicle, the ratio of the output currents IR and IL will deviate from 1. That is, the ratio of the output currents IR and IL is out of the range of 1 / X to X which is preset around 1 (NO), and the process proceeds to step S29 described later. It should be noted that X determines a zone for judging the front side, and is usually set in the range of 1-2. And
If X is set to a value close to 1, the zone for judging the front is narrowed, and conversely, if X is increased to about 2, it is judged that the ratio of the output currents IR and IL is 1/2 to 2 as the front. In other words, the zone for determining the front becomes wider.

If the decision result in the step S11 is YES,
It is determined whether the output current IR of the right light receiving element 42 is larger than the output current IL of the left light receiving element 43 (step S12). If the result of this determination is YES, the output current IC of the center light receiving element 41 is
It is determined whether or not the output current is larger than the output current IR (step S13). If the result of this determination is YES, the output of the center light receiving element 41 is the largest among the three light receiving elements 41, 42, 43, and the flag H indicating that the sun position is at high altitude.
Is set to 1 (step S14). Next, the output current IC of the center light receiving element 41 having the largest output was obtained by an experiment, and the characteristic value (data map) of the center light receiving element 41 was obtained.
And the sunlight intensity is calculated (step S15).
Next, it is judged whether or not the sunlight intensity obtained in the previous step is larger than the predetermined value Y (step S16). This judgment is to judge whether the sunlight intensity is weak, that is, whether it is night or cloudy, and if the judgment result is NO,
The sunlight is weak and each flag is set to 0 (step S17), and then the process proceeds to the next step S4 (target air temperature TAO calculation control described above).

If the result of the determination in step S13 is NO, the output current IC of the center light receiving element 41 is equal to the left light receiving element 4
It is determined whether the output current IL is larger than the output current IL of 3 (step S18). If this determination result is YES, IR> I
Since C> IL and the difference between IR and IL is small, it is determined that IR ≈ IC ≈ IL, and the sun position is at medium altitude,
The flag MC on the front is set to 1 (step S19). Next, the output current IR of the light receiving element 42 having the largest output is compared with the characteristic value (data map) of the center light receiving element 41 obtained by the experiment to calculate the sunlight intensity (step S20), and thereafter. , Go to step S16. If the decision result in the step S18 is NO, it is decided that IR.apprxeq.IL> IC, and the flag LC indicating that the sun position is at a low altitude and in front is set to 1 (step S21). Next, similarly to step S20, the sunlight intensity is calculated from the output current IR of the light receiving element 42 (step S22), and then the process proceeds to step S16.

If the decision result in the step S12 is NO, the output current IC of the center light receiving element 41 is equal to the left light receiving element 4
It is determined whether the output current IL is larger than the output current IL of 3 (step S23). If the result of this determination is YES, the output of the center light receiving element 41 is the largest among the three light receiving elements 41, 42, 43, and the routine proceeds to step S14. If the determination result in step S23 is NO, the center light receiving element 4
The output current IC of 1 is the output current I of the light receiving element 42.
It is determined whether or not it is larger than R (step S24).
If the result of this determination is YES, then IL>IC> IR and the difference between IL and IR is small, so IL ≈ IC ≈
It is determined to be IR, and the flag MC indicating that the sun position is at middle altitude and in front is set to 1 (step S25). Next, the output current IL of the left light receiving element 43 having the largest output is compared with the characteristic value (data map) of the center light receiving element 41 obtained by the experiment to calculate the sunlight intensity (step S2
6) Then, the process proceeds to step S16. If the decision result in the step S24 is NO, it is decided that IL≈IR> IC, and the flag LC indicating that the sun position is at a low altitude and in front is set to 1 (step S27). Next, similarly to step S26, the sunlight intensity is calculated from the output current IL of the left light receiving element 43 (step S28), and then the process proceeds to step S16.

If the decision result in the step S11 is NO, the output current IC of the center light receiving element 41 is equal to the left light receiving element 4
It is determined whether the output current IL is larger than the output current IL of 3 (step S29). If the determination result is YES, it is determined whether the output current IC of the center light receiving element 41 is larger than the output current IR of the light receiving element 42 (step S30). If the determination result is YES, the output of the center light receiving element 41 is the largest among the three light receiving elements 41, 42, 43, and the flag H indicating that the sun position is at high altitude is set to 1
(Step S31). Next, as in step S15, the output current IC of the center light receiving element 41, which has the largest output, is output.
The sunlight intensity is calculated from (step S32), and then the process proceeds to step S16.

If the decision result in the step S30 is NO, I
R>IC> IL, and the flag MR indicating that the sun position is at middle altitude and right front is set to 1 (step S33). Next, as in step S20, the light receiving element 4 having the highest output
Calculate the sunlight intensity from 2 (step S34), then
Go to step S16. If the decision result in the step S29 is NO, it is decided whether or not the output current IC of the center light receiving element 41 is larger than the output current IR of the light light receiving element 42 (step S35). If the result of this judgment is YES,
The output of the left light receiving element 43 has three light receiving elements 41, 4
In the case of the maximum of 2 and 43, IL>IC> IR, and the sun position is at middle altitude and the flag ML indicating left front is 1
(Step S36). Next, similarly to step S26, the sunlight intensity is calculated from the left light receiving element 43 having the largest output (step S37), and then the process proceeds to step S16.

If the decision result in the step S35 is NO, the output current IR of the right light receiving element 42 is equal to the left light receiving element 4
It is determined whether the output current IL is larger than the output current IL of 3 (step S38). If the result of this determination is YES, the output of the light receiving element 42 is the largest among the three light receiving elements 41, 42, 43, and IR>IL> IC, and the sun position is at low altitude and right front. The flag LR is set to 1 (step S39). Next, similarly to step S20, the sunlight intensity is calculated from the light receiving element 42 having the largest output (step S40), and then the process proceeds to step S16. If the determination result in step S38 is NO, the left light receiving element 43
Is the largest among the three light receiving elements 41, 42, 43, IL>IR> IC, and the sun position is low altitude and the flag LL indicating left front is set to 1 (step S4
1). Next, similarly to step S26, the sunlight intensity is calculated from the left light receiving element 43 having the largest output (step S42), and then the process proceeds to step S16.

Next, the following table shows the relationship between the output states of the output currents IC, IR and IL of the light receiving elements 41, 42 and 43, the determination of the sun position and the state of the flag.

[Table 1]

[Effects of the Embodiment] In the present embodiment, as described above, the three light receiving elements 41, 4 are formed by the diffusion plates 45, 46, 47, the respective light passage portions, and the external light passage portion.
2 and 43 have different characteristics with respect to solar radiation, and the output signals of the light receiving elements 41, 42, and 43 are subjected to signal processing by the electric circuit 12, so that the approximate sun position and the solar radiation intensity with respect to the vehicle can be determined. . Even when the altitude of solar radiation is low at an elevation angle of 20 ° or less, light is guided from the outer peripheral light passage portion 54 to the right light receiving element 42 and the left light receiving element 43, and the solar radiation of low altitude is diffused by the diffuser plates 45, 46, 4.
At 7, the light receiving element 42 and the left light receiving element 43 are directed. Therefore, even when the solar radiation altitude is low, the direction and intensity of solar radiation can be detected with higher accuracy than in the past.

[Modification] In the above embodiment, an example using three light receiving elements is shown. However, for example, a right light receiving element and a left light receiving element are provided as one light receiving element so as to detect only the sun altitude. For example, the number of other light receiving elements may be used. An example in which a diffuser plate is provided for each light receiving element has been shown.
The diffuser plate may be commonly used. Although the direction of solar radiation is calculated by comparing the magnitude of the output of each light receiving element, the direction of solar radiation may be calculated from the ratio of the output of each light receiving element.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a solar radiation sensor.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a solar radiation sensor.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a filter of a solar radiation sensor.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a center diffusion plate.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the center diffusion plate.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a right diffusion plate and a left diffusion plate.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a right diffusion plate and a left diffusion plate.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automobile air conditioner.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of air conditioning control by an electric circuit.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an electric circuit that calculates the direction and intensity of solar radiation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 electric circuit 41 center light receiving element 42 right light receiving element 43 left light receiving element 45 center diffusion plate 46 right diffusion plate 47 left diffusion plate 50 light shielding member 51 center light passage portion 52 right light passage portion 53 left light passage portion 54 outer peripheral light passage portion

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of light receiving elements for converting an optical signal into an electric signal, and a plurality of light receiving elements provided above the plurality of light receiving elements and corresponding to the respective light receiving elements. A light shield including a plurality of light passing portions that pass therethrough, and an outer peripheral light passing portion that is provided at a side of at least one light receiving element of the plurality of light receiving elements and that passes light from the side of the at least one light receiving element. A member, and (c) a diffuser plate which is provided between the at least one light receiving element and the outer peripheral light passage portion, and diffuses the light passing through the outer peripheral light passage portion to enter the at least one light receiving element. (D) An insolation detector including an electric circuit that calculates the direction of insolation and insolation intensity based on the amount of light received by the plurality of light receiving elements.