JP2003146055A - Vehicular air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide information of temperature distribution in a vehicle cabin to an occupant. SOLUTION: The vehicular air conditioner is provided with an air conditioning means 10 of blowing air conditioning air into the vehicle cabin, a temperature detecting means 41 of detecting the temperature distribution in the vehicle cabin, and a display means 50 of displaying the temperature distribution in the vehicle cable on the basis of a detection result of the temperature detecting means 41. By this, since the occupant can grasp the temperature distribution in the vehicle cabin, for example, a driver can set an air conditioning state with consideration to a fellow passenger on the basis of the temperature distribution information.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional vehicle air conditioner, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
In this conventional device, an infrared sensor in which temperature detecting elements are arranged in a matrix is used to detect the temperature distribution in the passenger compartment, and air conditioning control is performed based on the detection result of the temperature distribution. I am trying to do it.

[0003]

By the way, when there is a fellow passenger, particularly when the fellow passenger is a child or an elderly person, the driver is concerned about the temperature of the seated portion of the fellow passenger. However, although the above-mentioned conventional device controls the air conditioning based on the detection result of the temperature distribution, the occupant cannot know what the temperature distribution in the passenger compartment is.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to allow an occupant to grasp the temperature distribution in a vehicle compartment.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention described in claim 1, an air conditioner (10) for blowing air-conditioned air into the passenger compartment and a temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature distribution in the passenger compartment. (41) and a display means (50) for displaying the temperature distribution in the vehicle compartment based on the detection result of the temperature detection means (41).

According to this, the occupant can grasp the temperature distribution in the passenger compartment, so that, for example, the driver can set the air conditioning state in consideration of the passenger based on the temperature distribution information.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the temperature detecting means (41) divides the passenger compartment into a plurality of areas and detects the temperature of each of the detection areas, and the display means (50) includes It is characterized in that the temperature of each detection region is displayed. According to this, the temperature distribution in the vehicle interior can be grasped in detail.

In the invention according to claim 4, the temperature detecting means (41) divides the vehicle compartment into a number of areas and detects the temperature of each of the detection areas, and the display means (50) comprises It is characterized by displaying the temperature of each seat. According to this, the temperature condition of each seat can be grasped instantly and easily.

In the invention according to claim 5, the operating means (3
5 to 39) are for independently setting the air-conditioning states of a plurality of areas in the vehicle compartment for each area, and are operated by operating means (35 to 3).
The area for setting the air conditioning state by 9) is the display means (5
It is characterized by being selected by touching 0) by the occupant. According to this, the operation of selecting the region in which the setting of the air conditioning state is desired to be changed is easy.

The reference numerals in parentheses of the above-mentioned means indicate the correspondence with the concrete means described in the embodiments described later.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows the overall system configuration of a vehicle air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This vehicle air conditioner has stored control characteristics. The operation of the air conditioning control equipment is automatically controlled based on
The blowout temperature, the air flow rate, the suction mode, the blowout mode, etc. are automatically controlled.

In FIG. 1, an air conditioning unit 10 constituting an indoor unit of an air conditioning system for a vehicle is installed in a vehicle interior instrument panel (not shown), and this air conditioning unit 10 is a main air conditioning unit for blowing air conditioning air into the vehicle interior. It is a part.

An inside / outside air switching box 11 as a suction mode switching means is arranged on the most upstream side of the air flow of the air conditioning unit 10. The inside / outside air switching box 11 has an outside air introducing port 11a and an inside air introducing port 11b. This inside / outside air switching box 11
An inside / outside air switching door 12 is rotatably installed therein.
The inside / outside air switching door 12 is arranged at a branch point between the outside air introduction port 11a and the inside air introduction port 11b, and is connected to the actuator 12
Driven by a, the air introduced into the air conditioning unit 10 is switched between the inside air and the outside air, or the mixing ratio of the inside air and the outside air is adjusted.

A blower 13 as a blower is disposed downstream of the inside / outside air switching box 11. The blower 13 sucks air into the inside / outside air switching box 11 and blows the air to the downstream side of the air conditioning unit 10. It has a blower motor 14 and a centrifugal blower fan 15 connected to its rotating shaft. An evaporator 16 and a heater core 17 are provided downstream of the blower fan 15.

The evaporator 16 is a heat exchanger for cooling, and is combined with a compressor or the like driven by a vehicle engine (not shown) to form a refrigeration cycle. The low-pressure refrigerant therein absorbs heat from the air to evaporate. Cool the air. The heater core 17 is a heat exchanger for heating, in which cooling water (warm water) of a vehicle engine (not shown) circulates, and heats air by using the engine cooling water as a heat source.

An air mix door 18 as a blown air temperature adjusting means is rotatably provided on the upstream side of the heater core 17, and the opening degree of the air mix door 18 is adjusted by being driven by an actuator 18a. by this,
The ratio of the air passing through the heater core 17 and the air bypassing the heater core 17 is adjusted, and the temperature of the air blown into the vehicle interior is adjusted.

A defroster door 2 for opening and closing a defroster (DEF) outlet 19 is provided at the most downstream side of the air conditioning unit 10.
0, a face door 22 that opens and closes the face (FACE) outlet 21, and a foot door 24 that opens and closes the foot outlet 23.

Each of the doors 20, 22, and 24 constitutes a blowout mode switching means, and is driven by an actuator 25 to open and close each of the blowout ports 19, 21, and 23 so that various blowout modes, that is, a face mode. Mode, bi-level mode, foot mode, foot differential mode, defroster mode, etc. are set. Then, the temperature-adjusted air is blown into the vehicle compartment from the air outlet that is opened according to each of the air blowing modes.

The air-conditioning control device 30 has a microcomputer 31 as a control means, and the air flow rate adjusts the applied voltage (blower voltage) of the blower motor 14 via the drive circuit 32 based on the output signal from the microcomputer 31. It is controlled by adjusting the motor rotation speed.
The other actuators 12a, 18a, 25
Is also controlled via the drive circuit 32 based on the output signal from the microcomputer 31.

The microcomputer 31 has a central processing unit (CPU) (not shown), a ROM, a RAM, a standby RAM, an I / O port, an A / D converter, and the like, which are known per se.

The standby RAM is an ignition switch (hereinafter referred to as IG) for intermittently operating the vehicle engine.
This is a RAM for storing (backing up) the value in which the occupant's preference is learned even when the IG is off. Even if the IG is off, the power is directly supplied from the on-vehicle battery without going through the IG. In addition, a backup power supply (not shown) that supplies power to the microcomputer 31 for a short period of time even if the electrical connection between the microcomputer 31 and the battery is cut off is provided.

An operation signal is input to the microcomputer 31 from an air conditioning operation unit 33 installed on the instrument panel of the passenger compartment. The air conditioning operation unit 33 includes an AUTO switch 34 for setting the automatic control state of the air conditioner, an inside / outside air changeover switch 35 for manually setting the inside / outside air intake mode, and
A blow mode switching switch 36 for manually switching the blow mode, a blow rate switching switch 37 for manually setting the blow rate of the blower 13, and a temperature setting switch 38 for setting a temperature preferred by the occupant, Screen 5 described later
A temperature display switch 60 and the like that are operated to display the temperature distribution in the vehicle interior at 0 are provided.

The inside / outside air changeover switch 35, the blowout mode changeover switch 36, the blown air amount changeover switch 37,
The temperature setting switch 38 and the temperature setting switch 38 both correspond to operating means for the occupant to set the air conditioning state.

Further, the microcomputer 31 is provided with an environmental condition (air conditioning heat load) that affects the air conditioning condition in the passenger compartment.
Signals from various sensors for detecting the like are input. Specifically, the infrared sensor 41 that detects the surface temperature of a predetermined area in the vehicle interior in a non-contact manner, the evaporator temperature sensor 42 that detects the evaporator temperature (specifically, the temperature of the air blown from the evaporator), and the heater core 17 are circulated. Each signal from the water temperature sensor 43 or the like for detecting the engine water temperature is changed to the corresponding level conversion circuit 45.
Are input to the microcomputer 31 via the, and these are A / D converted and read by the microcomputer 31. Further, the signal from the temperature setting switch 38 is also level-converted by the level conversion circuit 45 and input to the microcomputer 31.

Infrared sensor 41 as temperature detecting means
Outputs an electric signal corresponding to a change in the amount of infrared rays due to a change in temperature of the body to be detected.
A 32 pixel matrix type infrared sensor arranged in a matrix with 8 rows and 8 rows. It is installed on the ceiling near the rearview mirror and divides the range including all seats in the vehicle into 32 areas. Each temperature is detected.

Further, in the temperature detection area of the infrared sensor 41, a ceiling whose surface temperature changes substantially corresponding to the inside air temperature,
The infrared sensor 41 includes a window glass whose surface temperature changes under the influence of outside air temperature and heat from sunlight.
The inside and outside temperatures and the amount of solar radiation are estimated based on the temperature detection signal for each area.

A display device (see FIG. 2) 50 as a display means for displaying various kinds of information such as navigation information is connected to the microcomputer 31. The temperature distribution can be displayed on the display screen 51 as a display unit. This indicator 5
0 is installed in the vehicle interior instrument panel at a position visible to the passengers.

FIG. 3 is an overall flowchart of the present invention executed by the microcomputer 31, and the control of FIG. 3 is started when the IG is turned on. First, in step S100, the various switches 34 to 3 of the air conditioning operation unit 33.
The operation signals of 8 and 60 and the sensor detection signals from the various sensors 41 to 43 are read.

In the next step S110, various calculations required for air conditioning control are performed, and various control signals based on the calculation results are output. Specifically, first, step S10
The target outlet temperature TA of the air blown into the vehicle interior based on the set temperature TSET read in 0, the sensor detection signal, and the like.
Calculate O. Here, TAO is a blown air temperature required to maintain the vehicle interior at the set temperature TSET regardless of changes in environmental conditions.

Next, the blower voltage that determines the blown air amount is calculated based on the TAO, the opening degree of the air mix door 18 is calculated based on the TAO, the evaporator temperature, and the engine water temperature, and the inside / outside air switching door 12 is used. The introduction ratio of the inside air and the outside air is calculated based on TAO, and the blowout mode door 20,
The blowout modes of 22 and 24 are calculated based on TAO, and the control of the compressor is calculated so that the evaporator temperature is maintained at the target evaporator temperature.

Further, in addition to the blower motor 24, the actuators 12a, 18a, 25 and the compressor via the drive circuit 32, the various control signals determined by the above calculation, the rotation speed of the blower motor 24, the actuators 12a, 18a, 25 are also added. And control the operation of the compressor.

After the processing of step S110, the process proceeds to step S120 to average the detection signals from the infrared sensor 41 read in step S100. Specifically, the detection signals for each of the 32 regions, for example, for 10 seconds are averaged to calculate the temperature of each region.

After the process of step S120, the process proceeds to step S130, and it is determined whether or not there is a request to display the temperature distribution in the passenger compartment based on the operation signal of the temperature display switch 60 read in step S100. If there is, go to step S140.

In step S140, step S120
The temperature distribution in the passenger compartment is displayed based on the calculation result of
Is displayed on the display screen 51. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, a background view (overhead view) of the vehicle interior is displayed on the display screen 51, and a frame indicating the temperature detection area of the infrared sensor 41 is displayed on the background view. At the same time, the frame is divided (divided) into the same number as the number of detection areas of the infrared sensor 41, and the temperature of each of the divided detection areas is displayed. In addition,
The color corresponding to the temperature is determined in advance, and the temperature of each detection area is displayed in different colors.

According to this embodiment, the driver can recognize the temperature of his / her own seat, and the temperature of the passenger's seat can also be recognized by the driver and the passenger himself, and it is possible to promote appropriate temperature adjustment. In particular, if the passenger is a child or an elderly person, he or she may not be able to properly report his / her sense of heat (hot or cold), or may not be able to adjust the temperature well.
Since the driver can grasp the temperature of the passenger's seat, it is possible to perform air conditioning in consideration of the passenger, and it is possible to prevent overcooling or overheating without knowing.

Incidentally, the air-conditioning air outlets 19, 21, 2
If 3 is an air conditioner located only near the instrument panel,
For example, the temperature of the driver's seat is almost equal to the set temperature during cooling, but if the temperature of the passenger seat and the rear seat is higher than the set temperature, it will be easier for the conditioned air to reach the passenger seat and the rear seat. By adjusting the blowing direction, the air conditioning can be performed in consideration of passengers in the front passenger seat and the rear seat.

Further, in the present embodiment, the infrared sensor 41
Since the temperature of each detection area is displayed, the temperature distribution in the vehicle interior can be grasped in detail. Further, it is possible to appeal the new commercial property of displaying the temperature distribution inside the vehicle.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the temperature of each detection area of the infrared sensor 41 is displayed, but in the present embodiment, the temperature of each seat is displayed.

That is, among the 32 detection signals of the infrared sensor 41, a plurality of detection signals in the detection area corresponding to each seat are averaged to obtain the temperature for each seat, and the display screen 51 is displayed as shown in FIG. A frame showing each seat is displayed on the background diagram of, and the temperature of each seat is displayed by color coding,
The temperature of each seat is displayed digitally.

According to this embodiment, since the temperature of each seat is displayed, the temperature condition of each seat can be grasped instantly and easily.

A seat sensor (not shown) as an occupant detection means for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant for each seat is provided.
By displaying only the seats in which the seat sensor detects seating of the occupant, the temperature condition of each seat can be more easily grasped.

Further, each seat may be vertically divided into two parts, and the temperature may be displayed separately for the upper and lower half of the occupant of each seat.

(Third Embodiment) In the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the temperature adjustment operation can be easily performed using the display screen 51.

Therefore, the display 50 of the present embodiment is
A temperature setting switch 39 is provided on the surface of the display screen 51 as an operating means for setting the temperature desired by the occupant. The temperature setting switch 39 outputs an electric signal when touched by an occupant, and is formed of a transparent member. Further, the air conditioning unit 10 (see FIG. 1) of the present embodiment is capable of independently controlling the blowing temperature of the conditioned air in the four directions of the left and right front seats and the left and right rear seats.

For example, when the passenger seat temperature is desired to be adjusted,
A display screen 51 displaying the temperature of each seat as shown in FIG.
When the passenger touches the part where the passenger seat is displayed, the display is switched as shown in FIG. 6, and the temperature setting switch 3
9 is displayed on the display screen 51. Then, on the display screen 51 displayed as shown in FIG. 6, the temperature setting switch 39 on the display screen 51 is touched to change the set temperature of the passenger seat, and the temperature of the passenger seat is maintained at the set temperature. In this way, the temperature of the conditioned air blown to the passenger seat is adjusted.

Incidentally, for example, when it is desired to adjust the temperature of the driver's seat, when the driver's seat is touched, the temperature setting switch 39 is displayed on the display screen 51, and the temperature setting switch 39 on the display screen 51 is touched. By doing so, the set temperature of the driver's seat is changed.

As described above, the area where the desired temperature is changed by the temperature setting switch 39 can be selected by touching the display screen 51, and further, the area can be selected by touching the temperature setting switch 39 displayed on the display screen 51. Since the set temperature of the selected area can be changed, the temperature adjustment operation of the area whose setting is desired to be changed can be easily performed.

Further, since the desired temperature of the four seats can be set with only one temperature setting switch 39, the number of switches can be reduced.

Although the display 50 is provided with the temperature setting switch 39 in the present embodiment, this temperature setting switch 39 is used.
May be abolished. In this case, when the display screen 51 of FIG. 5 is touched to select the area where the desired temperature is changed, the set temperature of the selected area is changed by operating the temperature setting switch 38 (see FIG. 1) of the air conditioning operation unit 33. It is desirable to be done.

Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which the desired temperature is changed by touching the display screen 51 is shown.
Touch 1 to select the area to change the blowout mode or the blow rate, and change the blow mode or blow rate of the selected area by operating the blow mode change switch 36 or blow rate change switch 37 (see FIG. 1). It may be done.

If the desired temperature can be set not only in the four directions of the front seat left and right and the rear seat left and right but also by dividing the upper half and lower half of the occupant, each occupant can be divided into upper and lower halves. A temperature setting switch as an operation means for displaying the temperature separately for the upper half body and the lower half body and touching the upper half body part or the lower half body part of the seat, which is the display screen 51, to set the temperature of the touched part. (Not shown) may be displayed on the display screen 51.

(Other Embodiments) In each of the above embodiments, a bird's-eye view of the passenger compartment is displayed as a background view when the temperature distribution in the passenger compartment is displayed on the display screen 51. Good.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall system diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display state of a display device 50 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the control of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display state of a display device 50 according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display state of a display device 50 according to a third embodiment.

6 is a diagram showing another display state of the display device 50 of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Air conditioning unit which is a main part of air conditioning means, 41 ... Infrared sensor as temperature detecting means, 50 ... Indicator as display means.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An air-conditioning unit (1) for blowing air-conditioned air into a passenger compartment.
0), temperature detection means (41) for detecting the temperature distribution in the vehicle compartment, and display means (5) for displaying the temperature distribution in the vehicle compartment based on the detection result of the temperature detection means (41).
0) and a vehicle air conditioner. 2. A plurality of operating means (35-39) for an occupant to set the air-conditioning state by the air-conditioning means (10),
The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the operating means (35 to 39) is arranged on the display unit (51). 3. The temperature detecting means (41) divides the passenger compartment into a plurality of areas to detect the temperature of each of the detection areas, and the display means (50) includes each of the detection areas. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the temperature of the vehicle is displayed. 4. The temperature detecting means (41) divides the passenger compartment into a plurality of areas to detect the temperature of each detection area, and the display means (50) displays the temperature of each seat. Is displayed, The air conditioner for vehicles according to claim 1 or 2. 5. The operating means (35-39) independently sets the air-conditioning state of a plurality of regions in the vehicle compartment, and the operating means (35-39) controls the air-conditioning state. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the area for setting is selected by the occupant touching the display means (50).