JPS61110613A - Air conditioner for car - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily obtain the comfortable humidity environment in car interior by installing an excessive-coldness detecting means for detecting the excessive coldness which represents the cloudiness of the window-glass inner surface and controlling a heating means for window glass and a humidifying means according to the output of the excessive-coldness detecting means. CONSTITUTION:During the traveling of a car, an electronic control circuit 30 takes-in the car-interior temperature Tin by an interior temperature sensor 16, relative humidity RH of the interior by a humidity sensor 18, and the temperature Tg of rear glass by a glass temperature sensor 24, and reads-out the dew point temperature Td in the interior from the map in a ROM52 according to Tin and RH. Then, the excessive coldness Ts is calculated from the equation: Ts=Td-Tg, and controls relays 34 and 36 according to Ts, and controls the amount of conduction to a defogger 22 and the turning-ON/OFF. When the defogger 2 is in OFF-state, it is judged that RH is below the proper relative humidity (rho) searched from the map according to Tin or not, and when the judgement is 'YES', a humidifier 12 is controlled to increase the amount of humidification to the max., and when the defogger 22 is strongly operated, the humidifier 12 is controlled to stop humifification.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an air conditioner for an automobile, and more particularly to an air conditioner for an automobile that controls not only the temperature but also the relative humidity inside the vehicle.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, air conditioning has been carried out in the interior of a vehicle for the purpose of providing a comfortable interior environment for vehicle occupants. Environmental comfort is affected not only by the temperature inside the vehicle interior but also by the relative humidity; for example, for a selected vehicle interior temperature, there is a tendency that conditions with high humidity are more comfortable than conditions that are too dry on the low humidity side. It has been known.

Therefore, in recent years, air conditioners for automobiles have installed humidifying means in the passage of air that has been dehumidified by passing through an evaporator, etc., and detects the humidity of the air inside the vehicle, and adjusts the temperature inside the vehicle selected by the passenger. An air conditioner for an automobile has been proposed that controls the amount of humidification by the humidifying means so as to maintain a comfortable relative humidity.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The following problems exist in automotive air conditioners that perform relative humidity control.

(1) If the temperature of the inner surface of vehicle window glass such as the windshield or rear glass is below the dew point temperature determined from the relative humidity and temperature inside the vehicle, the window glass will fog up. Therefore, when installing a humidifying means to control the humidity of the air inside the vehicle,
The fogging of the window glass was detected using a 1c detector using the reflection of an infrared light emitting diode installed in the wind pillar, and control was taken to stop humidification when the window glass began to fog. The problem of ensuring visibility for passengers has become important not only for rear windows, but also for side windows as door mirrors become more widespread.

However, if the above control is performed to ensure visibility, the temperature of the window glass will drop dramatically when the outside temperature is considerably low or when driving at high speeds, and a small amount of humidification (for example, relative humidity RH - There was a problem in that even at a temperature of about 30%, the window glass began to fog up, making it impossible to humidify and providing a comfortable environment for the passengers.

(2) Therefore, in order to prevent fogging and humidify by controlling the temperature of the window glass, we installed a defroster for the windshield and a hot wire heater (hereinafter referred to as a defogger) for the side and rear windows. ) may be used in combination. Heating the windshield by blowing warm air from the defroster can be expected to have a fast response, but the defogger for the rear window uses a thin nichrome wire heater glued to the glass plate, so the response is not so fast. . Therefore, even if the defogger is activated during humidification, it is not possible to immediately prevent fogging, and furthermore, the adoption of the defogger has brought about a new problem in that the driver must control the defogger's operation. If the defogger continues to operate even after the window glass has sufficiently warmed up, unnecessary load will continue to be placed on the battery.On the other hand, if the passenger determines that the window glass is no longer foggy and stops using the defogger. However, depending on the driving conditions of the vehicle, the temperature inside and outside the vehicle, and the humidification state, fogging may start again, making it cumbersome to manage the operation of the defogger.

It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide an air conditioner for an automobile that does not cause fogging of the window glass and also controls humidity to realize a comfortable air-conditioned environment for the occupants. do.

11 [Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration as a means for solving the above problems. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, this is an air conditioner for an automobile that includes a humidifying means M1, detects the relative humidity of the air in the vehicle interior M2, and controls the relative humidity in the vehicle interior M2 as well as the temperature in the vehicle interior M2. , a supercooling degree detection means M4 for detecting the degree of supercooling representing the degree of fogging on the inner surface of the vehicle window glass amount 3; a heating means M5 attached to the vehicle window glass M3; and the supercooling degree detection means M4. Detected by LC vehicle interior M
This is the configuration of an air conditioner for an automobile, comprising: a control means M6 that controls the temperature of the window glass M3 heated by the heating means M5 and the amount of humidification by the humidification means M1 based on the degree of subcooling of .

Here, as the humidifying means M1, there are steam heating type humidifiers and filter paper type humidifiers that utilize heating and evaporation by a heater.
Generally, an ultrasonic oscillator is installed on the water surface, and water is atomized by ultrasonic vibrations and added to the air blown from an air conditioner as a so-called mist, resulting in humidification.

The degree of supercooling detected by the degree of supercooling detection means M4 indicates how easily the inner surface of the window glass fogs up, and is expressed, for example, as the difference between the dew point temperature of the air inside the vehicle and the temperature of the window glass. Therefore, it is conceivable that the supercooling degree detection means M4 be configured to obtain the dew point temperature from the temperature and humidity of the air inside the vehicle, and to obtain the temperature difference between this and the temperature of the II compartment window glass. On this occasion,
It is possible to use the vehicle interior temperature and humidity configuration means provided in advance in the air conditioner, and a new device for configuring the subcooling degree detection means M4 can be used, such as a means for detecting the temperature of the window glass. It is possible to reduce the number of points to

The heating means M5 includes an electric heater bonded or vapor-deposited on the window glass, such as a thin nichrome heater. Further, the window glass M3 to which the heating means M5 is attached may be the entire rear glass or side glass, or a part of the side glass for the purpose of improving the visibility of the door mirror.

As the control means M6, a configuration is considered in which an on-vehicle microcomputer is used, the above-mentioned degree of subcooling, etc. is inputted, and the amount of humidification of the humidification means M1 and the temperature of the window glass M3 heated by the heating means M5 are controlled. . The temperature of the window glass M3 can be easily controlled by simply controlling the amount of heat generated by the heating means M5. On the other hand, the control means M6 and the degree of supercooling detection means M4 are integrated, temperature, relative humidity, etc. are inputted, the dew point temperature is determined using a map, etc., the degree of supercooling is determined, and the above-mentioned control is performed based on this. Alternatively, the air conditioner may also be configured to control the temperature inside the vehicle.

[Function] The automobile air conditioner configured as described above is an automobile air conditioner that is equipped with a humidifying means M1 and controls the relative humidity inside the vehicle interior as well as the temperature inside the vehicle interior, and is an air conditioner for a vehicle that controls the relative humidity inside the vehicle interior as well as the temperature inside the vehicle interior, and is an air conditioner for a vehicle that controls the relative humidity inside the vehicle interior as well as the temperature inside the vehicle interior. The temperature of the window glass M3 heated by the heating means M5 and the amount of humidification of the humidifying means M1 are controlled based on the obtained temperature. Therefore, a comfortable environment can be created.
: In controlling the air conditioner to achieve an appropriate relative humidity for the temperature selected by the passenger, the amount of humidification is controlled while keeping the degree of supercooling of the window glass M3 low by controlling the temperature of the window glass M3. Control is performed to adjust the relative humidity of the air inside the vehicle to an appropriate relative humidity.

[Example] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below based on the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of an automotive air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention together with peripheral devices, and FIG. 3 shows an example of control in an electronic control circuit that serves as subcooling degree detection means and control means. It is a flowchart.

In Fig. 2, 1 is a duct for blowing air, 2 is a blower for blowing air, 4 is an evaporator for cooling and dehumidification, 6 is a heater core, 8 is an air mix damper for air mixing, 10 is a damper for switching inside and outside air, 12 1 is a humidifier equipped with an ultrasonic oscillator 13 in a water tank 14 as a humidifying means, 15 is a blow-off duct for each purpose that blows out air after conditioning into the vehicle interior, and 16 is an indoor temperature sensor that detects the temperature Tin inside the vehicle interior. , 18 is a semiconductor type humidity sensor that detects the relative humidity in the vehicle interior, 20 is a rear glass, 22 is a hot wire type defogger attached to the rear glass 20 as a heating means, and 24 is a sensor that mainly detects the inner surface temperature T (+) of the rear glass 20. Glass temperature sensor to detect, 30 is 1
1ial! ) and an electronic control circuit that controls the amount of heat generated by the defogger 22, 32 is a buffer, 34.36 is a relay controlled by the electronic control circuit 30, and 3 is a power control circuit installed in the ventilation path for cooling. 40 represents a resistor, and 40 represents an ignition switch.

The electronic control circuit 30 includes a well-known CPU 50. ROM52.
RAM 54 etc. and indoor temperature sensor 16. Power sensor 18.
An input boat 56 inputs the A/D converted signal from the glass temperature sensor 24, an output boat 58 outputs a signal to drive the relay 34, 36 to switch the contacts 34a, 36a, etc. The boats are configured to be interconnected by a bus 59.

Next, the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 will be explained.

Each step in this flowchart performs the following judgments, processing, etc.

Step 100: The vehicle interior temperature Tin detected by the internal temperature sensor 16, the vehicle interior relative humidity rtIR+-1 detected by the humidity sensor 18, and the glass-10=the temperature of the rear glass 20 detected by the temperature sensor 24. The temperature To is read through the input port 5G.

Step 110: The dew point temperature Td in the vehicle interior is calculated from the vehicle interior temperature Tin and the relative humidity R1 using a map stored in the ROM 52 in advance.

Step 120: Subtract the glass temperature Tg from the dew point temperature Td to calculate the degree of supercooling TS.

Step 130: Determine the degree of supercooling Ts, and if TS<0°C, proceed to step 140, if O°C≦Ts<3°C, proceed to step 150, and if 3°C<TS, proceed to step 160. Let's do it.

Step 140: Switch off or maintain the power supplied to the defogger 22. Specifically, the relay 36 is switched or maintained via the output boat 58 so that the contact 36a is opened.

Switch 150: Set the power supplied to the defogger 22 to "weak"
shall be. Specifically, the relays 36 and 34 are switched or maintained to close the contact 36 and the break contact (b) of the contact 34, and the defogger 2 is connected via the power limiting resistor removal type 38.
Supply power to 2.

Step 160: Increase the power supplied to the defogger 22 by L
shall be. That is, the relays 36 and 34 are switched or held in a dark state so that the contact 36a is closed and the make contact (a) of the contact 34a is closed, thereby maximizing the amount of heat generated by the defogger 22.

Steps 170 and 175: Determine whether the relative speed RH in the vehicle interior is less than or equal to the appropriate relative groove bottom rho at the temperature in the vehicle interior selected by the occupant (equal to Tin if equilibrium has been reached). Here, 'fA degree rho is stored in ROM in advance.
52 is prepared as a map showing the temperature inside the vehicle.

Step 180: Maximize the amount of humidification by the humidifier 12. Specifically, the ultrasonic oscillator 13 is caused to oscillate continuously to perform continuous humidification.

Step 190: Reduce the amount of humidification, specifically, repeat activation and deactivation of the ultrasonic oscillator 13 every few seconds to reduce the amount of humidification as intermittent humidification.

Step 200: Stop humidification by the humidifier 12.

This control routine consisting of steps 100 to 200 for performing the above processing and judgment is repeatedly executed together with other air conditioning control routines. Each process from step 100 to step 120 constitutes a supercooling degree detection means together with a sensor group to determine the supercooling degree Ts, and then, depending on the judgment in step 130, it is branched into three processes to calculate the amount of heat generated by the defogger 22, that is, the amount of heat generated by the rear window. Control the temperature of 20. Thereafter, in step 170 or step 175, it is determined whether humidification is necessary, and if the appropriate relative humidity has not been reached, humidification is performed with the amount of humidification corresponding to the degree of subcooling Ts, and the control routine exits to NEXT to end this control routine. do.

Therefore, the amount of heat generated by the defogger 22 and the amount of humidification by the humidifier 12 are shown by the solid line Kl, as shown in FIG. 4 (A>, (B)), respectively.
As in G1, the supercooling degree is controlled in stages with the boundaries of 0°C and 3°C. It is also preferable to adopt a method such as phase (duty) control and to control the heat generation amount and humidification amount steplessly with respect to the degree of supercooling Ts, as shown by the broken line in the figure at 2°G2.

In this embodiment described above, the vehicle interior temperature T is
In an automobile air conditioner that performs humidification to achieve an appropriate humidity relative to 10, the temperature Tin and relative humidity Rl-1 in the vehicle interior and the temperature To of the rear glass 20 are detected to indicate the ease with which the rear glass 20 fogs up. The degree of supercooling Ts is determined, and based on this degree of supercooling Ts, the amount of humidification by the humidifier 12 and the amount of heat generated by the defogger 22 are controlled as follows.

(1) When the degree of supercooling Ts is less than 0°C, that is, when it is estimated that the rear glass 20 is not fogged, the calorific value of the defogger 22 is set to zero, and on the other hand, the relative humidity RH in the vehicle interior is determined from the temperature in the vehicle interior. If the relative humidity is below the appropriate relative humidity rho, the humidification amount is increased (continuous humidification), and if Rl-1≦rho does not hold, the humidification is stopped.

(2) When the degree of supercooling TS is 0°C or more and less than 3°C, that is, when it is estimated that the rear glass 20 is slightly fogged, the amount of heat generated by the defogger 22 is set to a weak value (approximately 1/2 of the maximum heat generation ■),
On the other hand, if RH≦rho holds true for the relative humidity, the humidification amount is reduced (intermittent humidification), and if RH≦rho does not hold, humidification is stopped.

(3) Is the appropriate cooling ITs over 3℃, which means Agulhas 20 is extremely cloudy? J? If it is estimated that visibility has deteriorated considerably, increase the heat output of the defogger 22 to the maximum,
Furthermore, humidification is stopped.

Therefore, humidification is performed to an appropriate relative humidity without causing fogging of the rear glass 20, and while maintaining visibility through the rear glass 20, a comfortable interior environment can be created using the automotive air conditioning system of this embodiment. This can be realized by a device.

Moreover, according to this embodiment, the defogger 2 of the rear glass 20
2, the amount of heat generated is automatically controlled, and the problem of unnecessary power consumption has been sufficiently solved. Furthermore, since the ultrasonic generator 13 is used as the humidifying means, high humidifying efficiency and quick response can be realized.

In this embodiment, the defogger is attached only to the rear glass 20, but it can also be applied to the side glass. In addition, the temperature of the window glass is detected by the glass temperature sensor 24, but the outside temperature and vehicle speed detected using the outside temperature sensor used in the original air conditioner and the defogger 22
It may be estimated from the heat generating teeth. An example of the experimentally known estimated value T9' of the temperature of the window glass is shown in FIG. 5 (in the case of a vehicle interior temperature of 25° C. and a speed of 50 km/hr). In FIG. 5, a solid line r indicates the estimated temperature Tg' of the rear window, and a solid line S indicates the estimated temperature Tg' of the side window. Note that the reason there is a slight difference between the two is due to the cooling effect due to vehicle speed, etc.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments in any way, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention.

As described in detail above, according to the automotive air conditioner of the present invention, the air temperature in the vehicle interior can be maintained at an appropriate relative humidity without fogging the window glass, and the air conditioner through the window glass can be This has the excellent effect of creating a comfortable humidity environment inside the vehicle while maintaining visibility.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a basic configuration diagram of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention together with a block diagram of an electronic control circuit 30, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing control in the embodiment, and FIG. Figure 4 (A). (B) is a graph showing the calorific value of the defogger 22 and the humidification of the humidifier 12 in correlation with the degree of supercooling Ts, and FIG. 2... Blower 8... Air mix damper 12... Humidifier 16... Indoor temperature sensor 18... Humidity sensor 20... Window glass 22... Defogger 24... Glass Temperature sensor 30...Electronic control circuit 34.36...Relay 50...CPU 8 bites

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An air conditioner for an automobile that is equipped with a humidifying means, detects the relative humidity of the air inside the vehicle interior, and controls the relative humidity inside the vehicle interior together with the temperature inside the vehicle interior. a heating means attached to a vehicle window glass; An air conditioner for an automobile, comprising: a control means for controlling the temperature of a window glass heated by a heating means and the amount of humidification by the humidifying means. 2. The subcooling degree detection means detects the relative humidity and temperature of the air inside the vehicle and the temperature of the window glass, and detects the dew point temperature of the air inside the vehicle and the window glass determined from the relative humidity and temperature of the air inside the vehicle. 2. The air conditioner for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner is configured to detect the degree of subcooling as a difference between the temperature of