Vehicle control device and in-vehicle measuring device

Abstract

To enable measurement of a humidity distribution in a direction perpendicular to a surface of a window glass using optical fiber sensors.SOLUTION: A vehicular control device 9 comprises: an anti-fog device 7; optical fiber sensors each having an optical fiber 2 extending along a cabin interior surface of a window glass 10 and fixed to the surface of the window glass, and a measuring device 3 connected to the optical fiber and measuring reflected light of light incident on the optical fiber, the optical fiber sensors measuring a temperature distribution near the surface of the window glass; and a controller connected with the optical fiber sensors and outputting a control signal to the anti-fog device on the basis of the humidity distribution measured by the optical fiber sensors. The optical fiber is coated with a hygroscopic material 6 that expands and contracts according to humidity. The optical fiber has a wavy shape curved at a predetermined interval in a longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the wavy-shaped optical fiber is separated from and brought into contact with the surface of the window glass.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed herein relates to a vehicle control device and an on-board measurement device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a humidity sensor. In this humidity sensor, a humidity detection material that expands or contracts in response to a change in humidity is applied to an optical fiber having an FBG (Fiber Bragg Grating). When the humidity detection material expands or contracts due to a change in humidity around the humidity sensor, the optical fiber is distorted. The distortion of the optical fiber changes the wavelength of the light reflected by the FBG. This humidity sensor can measure changes in the surrounding humidity based on the wavelength of the reflected light. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-351663 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Generally, from the viewpoint of safety, vehicle window glass is provided with an anti-fogging device for eliminating fogging. More specifically, a defroster system is provided on the front window glass. The defroster system defogs the front window glass by blowing conditioned air from an air outlet toward the surface of the front window glass. A defogger system is provided on the rear window glass. The defogger system defogs the rear window glass by turning on a heating wire attached to the surface of the rear window glass. These anti-fogging devices consume energy when operated. In order to improve the fuel efficiency or power consumption performance of a vehicle, it is necessary to minimize the energy consumption of the anti-fogging device.

[0005] Fogging of the window glass depends on the humidity distribution near the surface of the window glass. The humidity distribution near the surface of the window glass changes depending on the surrounding environment such as the selection of inside air circulation / outside air introduction by the air conditioning system in the vehicle cabin, the number of occupants, and the outside air temperature. According to the study by the inventors of the present application, the humidity distribution near the surface of the window glass changes significantly on the order of several mm to several cm in the in-plane direction of the window glass (i.e., the direction along the surface of the window glass) and the out-of-plane direction of the window glass (i.e., the direction perpendicular to the surface of the window glass). As the humidity distribution near the surface of the window glass changes, the window glass becomes partially fogged. In order to prevent fogging of the window glass while minimizing the energy consumption, it is preferable to operate the defrosting device so as to prevent fogging of the fogged portion of the window glass, rather than operating the defrosting device so as to prevent fogging of the entire surface of the window glass. For this purpose, it is necessary to accurately grasp the humidity distribution near the surface of the window glass, and then operate the defrosting device appropriately according to the humidity distribution.

[0006] Electric humidity sensors have been known for some time. Electric humidity sensors have a simple structure and are relatively inexpensive, but they only have one measurement point. To detect the humidity distribution over the entire window glass using an electric humidity sensor, multiple sensors must be attached to various locations on the window glass surface. An electric humidity sensor has a size of about several centimeters including the sensor body and its peripheral circuitry. If multiple such humidity sensors are attached to the surface of the window glass, the environment near the surface of the window glass, for example, the air flow caused by an air conditioner, will be disturbed. In addition, to measure the humidity distribution in the out-of-plane direction of the window glass, the humidity sensor must be placed at a position away from the surface of the window glass, but it is not easy to place an electric humidity sensor away from the surface of the window glass.

[0007] The inventors of the present application also focused on optical fiber sensors. As described above, optical fiber sensors can measure humidity changes at various points along their length. The use of optical fiber sensors makes it possible to measure humidity changes over a relatively wide range. However, even with optical fiber sensors, it is difficult to measure the humidity distribution in the out-of-plane direction of the window glass.

[0008] The technology disclosed herein makes it possible to measure humidity distribution in a direction perpendicular to the surface of a window glass using an optical fiber sensor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle control device. A defrosting device for eliminating fogging on vehicle window glass; an optical fiber sensor that measures a humidity distribution near the surface of the window glass, the optical fiber extending along the surface of the window glass on the inside of the vehicle compartment and fixed to the surface of the window glass, and a measuring device that is connected to the optical fiber and measures reflected light of light that is incident on the optical fiber; a controller to which the optical fiber sensor is connected and which outputs a control signal to the anti-fogging device based on the humidity distribution measured by the optical fiber sensor; The optical fiber is coated with a moisture absorbing material that expands and contracts in response to changes in humidity, The optical fiber has a corrugated shape that is curved at a predetermined cycle in the longitudinal direction, and the corrugated optical fiber is in contact with and separate from the surface of the window glass.

[0010] According to this configuration, the controller outputs a control signal to the defroster based on the humidity distribution near the surface of the vehicle's window glass, the humidity distribution being measured by the optical fiber sensor. The defroster, which receives the control signal from the controller, operates to defog the window glass. Because the defroster operates in accordance with the humidity distribution, waste of energy consumption is reduced. The fuel economy or power consumption of the vehicle is improved.

[0011] The optical fiber sensor has an optical fiber. The optical fiber is coated with a moisture-absorbing material. When humidity changes, the moisture-absorbing material expands or contracts. As the moisture-absorbing material expands or contracts, the optical fiber is distorted. When the optical fiber is distorted, the wavelength of the reflected light of the incident light changes. The measuring device measures the change in wavelength of the reflection hole, and the optical fiber sensor can measure the change in humidity at each point in the longitudinal direction. The optical fiber sensor may be, for example, a sensor that uses Rayleigh scattered light.

[0012] Since the optical fiber extends along the surface of the window glass on the inside of the vehicle compartment, the optical fiber sensor can measure the humidity distribution over a wide range in the in-plane direction along the surface of the window glass.

[0013] The optical fiber has a corrugated shape that is curved at a predetermined cycle in the longitudinal direction, and the corrugated optical fiber is in contact with and separate from the surface of the window glass. With this configuration, the optical fiber is partially located away from the surface of the window glass. The optical fiber sensor can measure humidity changes at locations away from the surface of the window glass. In other words, the optical fiber sensor can measure humidity distribution in an out-of-plane direction perpendicular to the surface of the window glass.

[0014] The controller can accurately identify the location where fogging has occurred according to the humidity distribution in the in-plane direction and the out-of-plane direction of the window glass. The defrosting device can operate to eliminate fogging in the identified location where fogging has occurred. The defrosting device can minimize energy consumption. The fuel efficiency or power consumption of the vehicle is further improved.

[0015] The moisture absorbent may be applied to cover the optical fiber such that a thickness of the moisture absorbent at a curved portion of the optical fiber is greater than a thickness of the moisture absorbent at a non-bent portion of the optical fiber.

[0016] In the case of the absorbent material coated on the corrugated optical fiber, stress is applied to the absorbent material at the curved portion in advance. In this case, even if the humidity changes, the absorbent material is unlikely to expand or contract, so the optical fiber is unlikely to be distorted. In other words, the humidity change is unlikely to be measured.

[0017] In contrast, by making the thickness of the moisture absorbent material at the curved portion relatively large, the amount of expansion or contraction of the moisture absorbent material at the curved portion increases when humidity changes. As the moisture absorbent material expands or contracts more, the optical fiber at the curved portion becomes distorted. Therefore, the optical fiber sensor can more accurately measure humidity changes at various points along the longitudinal direction of the corrugated optical fiber.

[0018] The window glass is a front window glass, The optical fiber may extend in the vertical direction at both sides in the vehicle width direction of the front window glass, and extend in the vehicle width direction at an upper edge of the front window glass.

[0019] According to the inventors' study, both sides and the upper edge of the windshield in the vehicle width direction are locations where humidity is likely to be high and fogging is likely to occur. As described above, by arranging optical fibers to extend in the vertical direction at both sides of the windshield in the vehicle width direction and arranging optical fibers to extend in the vehicle width direction at the upper edge of the windshield, the optical fiber sensor can accurately measure humidity changes in the locations of the windshield where fogging is likely to occur. The defrosting device can appropriately prevent fogging of the windshield.

[0020] The anti-fogging device includes a defroster system that blows air from an air outlet toward a surface of the front windshield glass, The controller may be configured to, when determining based on the humidity distribution that the driver's side windshield is fogged up, cause the defroster system to blow air from a first air outlet on the driver's side, and, when determining based on the humidity distribution that the passenger's side front windshield is fogged up, cause the defroster system to blow air from a second air outlet on the passenger's side.

[0021] In this way, the defroster system can blow air from the air outlet only to the surface of the windshield that is fogged up on either the driver's side or the passenger's side, thereby eliminating fog on the windshield while minimizing the energy consumption of the defroster system.

[0022] the window glass is a rear window glass, The defrosting device includes a defogger system having a plurality of heating wires arranged in parallel on a surface of the rear window glass, The optical fiber may extend along the heat lines in each of a plurality of regions defined by the heat lines.

[0023] According to this configuration, the area where each of the plurality of heating wires can defog can be associated with the area where the optical fiber is arranged. The defogger system can appropriately defog the fogged area of ​​the rear window glass based on the measurement result of the optical fiber sensor.

[0024] The controller may determine fogging for each of the plurality of regions based on the humidity distribution, and cause the defogger system to turn on heating rays corresponding to the regions determined to be fogging.

[0025] The defogger system turns on only the heating wires that correspond to the fogged areas, which results in the rear window glass being defogged while minimizing the energy consumption of the defogger system.

[0026] the optical fiber sensor includes a first optical fiber that is coated with the moisture absorbent and has a corrugated shape, and a second optical fiber that has a corrugated shape and extends along the first optical fiber, the optical fiber sensor measures humidity changes by the first optical fiber and measures temperature changes by the second optical fiber, The optical fibre sensor may compensate for measured changes in humidity based on changes in temperature.

[0027] The first optical fiber coated with a moisture absorbent material is distorted not only by humidity changes but also by temperature changes. Therefore, the optical fiber sensor includes a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber that is not coated with a moisture absorbent material. Since the second optical fiber measures only temperature changes, the influence of temperature changes can be eliminated from the distortion of the first optical fiber based on the temperature changes measured by the second optical fiber. Using the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber, the optical fiber sensor can more accurately measure the humidity distribution near the surface of the window glass.

[0028] The technology disclosed herein relates to an on-vehicle measurement device, which includes an optical fiber sensor that extends along a surface of a vehicle window glass on the inside of a vehicle compartment and is fixed to the surface of the window glass, and a measuring device that is connected to the optical fiber and measures reflected light of light incident on the optical fiber, and measures at least one of a humidity distribution and a temperature distribution near the surface of the window glass, The optical fiber has a corrugated shape that is curved at a predetermined cycle in the longitudinal direction, and the corrugated optical fiber is in contact with and separate from the surface of the window glass.

[0029] According to this configuration, the optical fiber sensor can measure at least one of the humidity distribution and the temperature distribution in each of the in-plane direction and the out-of-plane direction of the window glass, in the same manner as described above. Effect of the Invention

[0030] The vehicle control device can appropriately control the anti-fogging device based on the humidity distribution measured in each of the in-plane and out-of-plane directions of the window glass, and the vehicle-mounted measuring device can accurately measure at least one of the humidity distribution and the temperature distribution in each of the in-plane and out-of-plane directions of the window glass. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a windshield of a vehicle on which an optical fiber sensor is installed. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a rear window glass of a vehicle on which an optical fiber sensor is installed. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of an optical fiber attached to a window glass. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of a curved portion of an optical fiber coated with a moisture absorbent material. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 illustrates a control device for a vehicle. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates the configuration of a measuring device for an optical fiber sensor. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the overall control executed by the control device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates the relationship between the shift amount when the optical fiber is distorted and the temperature change. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 illustrates the relationship between the amount of shift when the optical fiber is distorted and the distortion of the optical fiber. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 illustrates the relationship between optical fiber strain and humidity changes. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the defroster control. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the defogger control. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments of a vehicle control device and an on-vehicle measurement device will be described with reference to the drawings. The vehicle control device and the on-vehicle measurement device described here are merely examples.

[0033] The vehicle control device controls an anti-fogging device that prevents fogging on the front windshield and rear windshield of the vehicle. FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the configuration of a vehicle control device 9. The control device 9 is equipped with an on-board measurement device 8. The on-board measurement device 8 measures the humidity distribution and temperature distribution near the surfaces of the front windshield 11 (see FIG. 1) and rear windshield 12 (see FIG. 2) of the vehicle. The control device 9 controls the anti-fogging device 7 based on the measurements by the on-board measurement device 8. The target vehicle may be equipped with an engine, may be equipped with an electric motor, or may be equipped with both an engine and an electric motor.

[0034] (Configuration of on-board measuring device) The vehicle-mounted measuring device 8 includes optical fiber sensors 201 and 202. The optical fiber sensors 201 and 202 have optical fibers. The optical fiber sensors 201 and 202 can measure the distortion of the optical fiber at each measurement point, which is a measurement point at each point in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber. The measurement points are spaced, for example, at intervals of 1 mm.

[0035] Optical fibers are distorted by temperature changes. Therefore, the optical fiber sensors 201 and 202 can measure temperature changes at each measurement point. Furthermore, as described below, if the optical fiber is covered with a moisture absorbent, the optical fiber is distorted as the moisture absorbent expands or contracts due to humidity changes. Therefore, the optical fiber sensors 201 and 202 can also measure humidity changes at each measurement point.

[0036] The optical fiber sensor includes a first optical fiber sensor 201 and a second optical fiber sensor 202. The first optical fiber sensor 201 measures humidity and temperature changes near the surface of the front window glass 11. The second optical fiber sensor 202 measures humidity and temperature changes near the surface of the rear window glass 12.

[0037] (Optical fiber installation configuration) The first optical fiber sensor 201 has a first optical fiber 21 and a second optical fiber 22. The first optical fiber 21 is an optical fiber for measuring humidity. The second optical fiber 22 is an optical fiber for measuring temperature. FIG. 1 illustrates the first optical fiber 21 and the second optical fiber 22 installed on the front windshield 11. The first optical fiber 21 and the second optical fiber 22 each extend in the up-down direction (that is, corresponding to the up-down direction on the paper in FIG. 1) on both sides in the vehicle width direction (that is, corresponding to the left-right direction on the paper in FIG. 1) of the front windshield 11, and also extend in the vehicle width direction at the upper edge. The first optical fiber 21 and the second optical fiber 22 are each arranged in an inverted U shape so that one optical fiber extends from one side in the vehicle width direction to the other side via the upper edge. The first optical fiber 21 and / or the second optical fiber 22 may be arranged individually on each of the one side, the other side, and the upper edge in the vehicle width direction. As described above, by using optical fibers, it is possible to measure humidity changes or temperature changes at each measurement point in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, as shown by the dashed lines in Fig. 1, the first optical fiber sensor 201 can measure temperature changes and humidity changes in each of the regions obtained by virtually dividing both side portions and the upper edge portion in the vehicle width direction into a plurality of regions in the in-plane direction along the surface of the front windshield glass 11. Note that the number of divisions of the regions shown in Fig. 1 is an example.

[0038] The second optical fiber sensor 202 has a third optical fiber 23 and a fourth optical fiber 24. The third optical fiber 23 is an optical fiber for measuring humidity. The fourth optical fiber 24 is an optical fiber for measuring temperature. FIG. 2 illustrates the third optical fiber 23 and the fourth optical fiber 24 installed on the rear window glass 12.

[0039] A plurality of heating wires 41, 42, 43, 44 constituting a defogger system 4, which will be described later, are installed on the rear window glass 12. In FIG. 2, the heating wires 41, 42, 43, 44 are shown by dashed lines to distinguish them from the optical fibers 23, 24 for easy understanding. The heating wires 41, 42, 43, 44 are arranged along the in-plane direction of the rear window glass 12. Each of the heating wires 41, 42, 43, 44 extends in the vehicle width direction and is installed at intervals in the vertical direction. As a result, the surface of the rear window glass 12 is virtually divided into four regions in the vertical direction. In other words, the heating wires 41, 42, 43, 44 are installed corresponding to each region. Specifically, the multiple heat rays include a first region heat ray 41 that prevents fogging in the first region, a second region heat ray 42 that prevents fogging in the second region, a third region heat ray 43 that prevents fogging in the third region, and a fourth region heat ray 44 that prevents fogging in the fourth region (see FIG. 5).

[0040] The third optical fiber 23 and the fourth optical fiber 24 are installed so as to straddle the respective regions of the rear window glass 12. Specifically, the third optical fiber 23 and the fourth optical fiber 24 are installed so as to extend in the vehicle width direction along the respective heat wires 41, 42, 43, and 44. In the configuration example of FIG. 2, the third optical fiber 23 and the fourth optical fiber 24 are each configured by one optical fiber. That is, the one optical fiber is meandered so as not to overlap with the respective heat wires 41, 42, 43, and 44. As described above, by using an optical fiber, it is possible to measure a humidity change or a temperature change at each measurement point in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, by installing one optical fiber so as to meander, the second optical fiber sensor 202 can measure a temperature change and a humidity change in each of the regions (i.e., the first region, the second region, the third region, and the fourth region) divided into a plurality of regions in the in-plane direction of the rear window glass 12.

[0041] (Configuration of optical fiber sensor) In the embodiment disclosed herein, the first optical fiber sensor 201 and the second optical fiber sensor 202 are configured as a sensing system that uses Rayleigh scattered light. However, the first optical fiber sensor 201 and the second optical fiber sensor 202 are not limited to this configuration.

[0042] 5, the first optical fiber sensor 201 includes a first optical fiber 21, a second optical fiber 22, a first measuring instrument 31, and a first splitter 261. The second optical fiber sensor 202 includes a third optical fiber 23, a fourth optical fiber 24, a second measuring instrument 32, and a second splitter 262.

[0043] The first measuring instrument 31 and the second measuring instrument 32 have the same configuration. The first measuring instrument 31 and the second measuring instrument 32 are collectively referred to as the measuring instrument 3. FIG. 6 illustrates the configuration of the measuring instrument 3. The measuring instrument 3 has one laser light source 300, a first spectrometer 301, a second spectrometer 302, a third spectrometer 303, and a detector 304. The laser light source 300 is a wavelength-tunable laser light source, and outputs light whose wavelength changes periodically to an optical path. The first spectrometer 301 on the optical path splits the light from the laser light source 300 into measurement light directed to an optical fiber for sensing and reference light directed directly to the detector 304. The measurement light incident on the optical fiber generates scattered light over the entire length of the optical fiber. The scattered light becomes reflected light from the optical fiber.

[0044] A second spectrometer 302 on the optical path changes the direction of the reflected light toward a detector 304. A third spectrometer 303 merges the reference light and the reflected light. The detector 304 measures the change in light intensity caused by the interference between the reference light and the reflected light, and measures the scattered light frequency at each position of the optical fiber from the change in light intensity. The detector 304 compares the specific frequency associated with the specific fingerprint information previously measured for the optical fiber (i.e., minute density unevenness of glass molecules at each position of the optical fiber, which is information on density unevenness that differs for each optical fiber) with the measured scattered light frequency, and measures which position of the optical fiber has been distorted and how much from the difference between these frequencies (i.e., the amount of shift between the specific frequency and the measured frequency, see FIG. 8 or FIG. 9).

[0045] 5, the first splitter 261 is interposed between the first measuring instrument 31 and the first and second optical fibers 21 and 22. The first splitter 261 splits the measurement light output from the first measuring instrument 31 into the first and second optical fibers 21 and 22. The first optical fiber sensor 201 can be constructed at low cost because it uses one light source to perform measurements in each of the two optical fibers.

[0046] Similarly, the second splitter 262 is interposed between the second measuring instrument 32 and the third and fourth optical fibers 23 and 24. The second splitter 262 splits the measurement light output from the second measuring instrument 32 into the third and fourth optical fibers 23 and 24. The second optical fiber sensor 202 also uses one light source to perform measurements in each of the two optical fibers, and can therefore be constructed at low cost.

[0047] (Optical fiber configuration) FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the optical fiber 2 attached to the front window glass 11 or the rear window glass 12 (hereinafter, referred to as the window glass 10). The optical fiber 2 is a collective term for a first optical fiber 21, a second optical fiber 22, a third optical fiber 23, and a fourth optical fiber 24. The optical fiber 2 has a waveform that is curved at a predetermined period in the longitudinal direction (that is, corresponding to the left-right direction of the paper in FIG. 3). The optical fiber 2 having a waveform is in contact with and separate from the surface of the window glass 10. A valley portion of the optical fiber 2 having a waveform is in contact with the window glass 10, and the optical fiber 2 is fixed to the window glass 10 at this portion. The optical fiber 2 may be, for example, bonded to the window glass 10. A peak portion of the optical fiber 2 having a waveform is separated from the surface of the window glass 10. Since a part of the optical fiber 2 is separated from the surface of the window glass 10, the optical fiber sensor 20 can measure not only a humidity change on the surface of the window glass 10, but also a humidity change at a position separated from the surface of the window glass 10.

[0048] Since the corrugated optical fiber 2 is brought into contact with and separated from the surface of the window glass 10, the optical fiber sensor 20 can measure temperature and humidity changes in each of two regions, for example, as shown by the broken lines in FIG. 3, in the out-of-plane direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the surface of the window glass 10. Here, the distance between the peaks and valleys of the corrugated shape can be set to an appropriate distance. The distance between the peaks and valleys may be, for example, 2 to 3 mm. As described above, the interval between the measurement points of the optical fiber 2 is, for example, 1 mm in the longitudinal direction, so that if the distance between the peaks and valleys is 2 to 3 mm, the optical fiber sensor can measure temperature and humidity changes in each of the two to three regions in the out-of-plane direction of the window glass 10. In other words, the optical fiber 2 can measure humidity distribution and temperature distribution in the out-of-plane direction perpendicular to the surface of the window glass 10.

[0049] The corrugated optical fiber 2 can be manufactured by applying a coating material for fixing the corrugated shape to the optical fiber 2 while bending the optical fiber 2 into a corrugated shape. The moisture absorbent material described later also functions as a coating material for fixing the corrugated shape.

[0050] The optical fiber 2 itself distorts with temperature changes. Therefore, the optical fiber 2 for temperature measurement can be used as is. In contrast, even if the humidity changes, the optical fiber 2 itself does not distort. Therefore, the optical fiber 2 for humidity measurement is covered with a moisture absorbent 6, as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the optical fiber 2 for humidity measurement. The moisture absorbent 6 distorts the optical fiber 2 by expanding or contracting with changes in the surrounding humidity.

[0051] The moisture absorbent 6 is not coated with the same thickness over the entire length of the optical fiber 2, but is coated on the optical fiber 2 so that the thickness T1 of the curved portion of the optical fiber 2 is greater than the thickness T2 of the non-bent portion of the optical fiber 2.

[0052] In the moisture absorbent 6 covering the corrugated optical fiber 2, stress is applied in advance to the moisture absorbent 6 at the curved portion. In this case, the moisture absorbent 6 is unlikely to expand or contract even if the humidity changes, and as a result, the optical fiber 2 is unlikely to be distorted at the curved portion.

[0053] In contrast, if the thickness of the moisture absorbent 6 at the curved portion is relatively increased, the amount of expansion or contraction of the moisture absorbent 6 at the curved portion increases when the humidity changes. As the moisture absorbent 6 expands or contracts more, the optical fiber 2 at the curved portion also distorts. As a result, the optical fiber sensor 20 can measure humidity changes with higher accuracy.

[0054] (Configuration of vehicle control device) As described above, the control device 9 includes the on-vehicle measuring device 8 and the defrosting device 7. The control device 9 controls the defrosting device 7 based on the measurement results of the on-vehicle measuring device 8. Since the defrosting device 7 operates appropriately depending on the fogging of the front window glass 11 or the rear window glass 12, the energy consumption of the defrosting device 7 is minimized.

[0055] The defroster 7 includes a defroster system 5 that defogs the front windshield 11 in addition to a defogger system 4 that defogs the rear windshield 12. The defroster system 5 is configured as a part of an air conditioning system in the vehicle cabin. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the defroster system 5 has a first air outlet 51 and a second air outlet 52. Both the first air outlet 51 and the second air outlet 52 open upward on the upper surface of the instrument panel 13. The defroster system 5 blows conditioned air from the first air outlet 51 and the second air outlet 52 toward the surface of the front windshield 11 on the inside of the vehicle cabin. This defogs the front windshield 11.

[0056] The first air outlet 51 and the second air outlet 52 are arranged in the vehicle width direction. The first air outlet 51 is located on the driver's seat side, and the second air outlet 52 is located on the passenger's seat side. The air blown out from the first air outlet 51 is mainly blown onto the surface of the front windshield 11 on the driver's seat side, so that the surface on the driver's seat side is defogging. The air blown out from the second air outlet 52 is mainly blown onto the surface of the front windshield 11 on the passenger's seat side, so that the surface on the passenger's seat side is defogging.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 6, the defroster system 5 includes a driver's side defroster 53 and a passenger's side defroster 54. The driver's side defroster 53 uses a first air outlet 51 to defog mainly the surface on the driver's side of the front windshield glass 11. The passenger's side defroster 54 uses a second air outlet 52 to defog mainly the surface on the passenger's side of the front windshield glass 11. The driver's side defroster 53 and the passenger's side defroster 54 are independent of each other, and the air conditioning controller 55 outputs control signals to the driver's side defroster 53 and the passenger's side defroster 54 individually. As a result, the air conditioning controller 55 switches between: (1) a state in which neither the driver's side defroster 53 nor the passenger's side defroster 54 is operating; (2) a state in which only the driver's side defroster 53 is operating; (3) a state in which only the passenger's side defroster 54 is operating; and (4) a state in which both the driver's side defroster 53 and the passenger's side defroster 54 are operating.

[0058] As described above, the defogger system 4 has the first region heating wire 41, the second region heating wire 42, the third region heating wire 43, and the fourth region heating wire 44. The defogger controller 45 can individually operate these first region heating wire 41, the second region heating wire 42, the third region heating wire 43, and the fourth region heating wire 44. As a result, when the defogger system 4 operates, at least one of the following states is achieved: (1) a state in which the first region is defogged, (2) a state in which the second region is defogged, (3) a state in which the third region is defogged, and (4) a state in which the fourth region is defogged.

[0059] The first measuring device 31 of the first optical fiber sensor 201 is connected to the air conditioning controller 55. The first measuring device 31 outputs to the air conditioning controller 55 measurement signals of temperature and humidity changes in each area in the in-plane direction near the surface of the front windshield glass 11 and measurement signals of temperature and humidity changes in each area in the out-of-plane direction.

[0060] The second measuring device 32 of the second optical fiber sensor 202 is connected to the defogger controller 45. The second measuring device 32 outputs to the defogger controller 45 measurement signals of temperature and humidity changes in each area in the in-plane direction near the surface of the rear window glass 12 and measurement signals of temperature and humidity changes in each area in the out-of-plane direction.

[0061] The interface 71 is an operation unit operated by a vehicle occupant. The interface 71 is provided on the instrument panel 13, for example, as shown in Fig. 1. The occupant can manually turn on / off the defroster system 5 and the defogger system 4 through the interface 71.

[0062] (Control details) Next, the control executed by the control device 9 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of Fig. 7, Fig. 11, and Fig. 12. Fig. 7 is a flowchart relating to the overall control executed by the control device 9. In the control device 9, the first optical fiber sensor 201 and the second optical fiber sensor 202 each measure the humidity distribution and temperature distribution near the front window glass 11 and the humidity distribution and temperature distribution near the rear window glass 12, but the flow of Fig. 7 describes the control procedure assuming that the optical fiber sensor 20, which collectively refers to the first optical fiber sensor 201 and the second optical fiber sensor 202, measures the humidity distribution and temperature distribution near the window glass 10. That is, in steps S71 to S711, the humidity distribution and temperature distribution near the front window glass 11 and the humidity distribution and temperature distribution near the rear window glass 12 are calculated, and the fogging of the front window glass 11 and the rear window glass 12 are determined. In addition, the order of the steps of Fig. 7, Fig. 11, and Fig. 12 may be changed as far as possible. In addition, multiple steps in Figures 7, 11, and 12 may be executed simultaneously to the extent possible. In addition, some of the steps in Figures 7, 11, and 12 may be omitted. New steps may be added to the flows in Figures 7, 11, and 12.

[0063] First, in step S71, the optical fiber sensor 20 measures a reference temperature. The optical fiber sensor 20 can measure a temperature change. By measuring the reference temperature in advance, the optical fiber sensor 20 can grasp the temperature distribution near the surface of the window glass 10 from the measured temperature change and the reference temperature. The optical fiber sensor 20 measures the reference temperature at the front window glass 11, for example, by using a thermocouple installed near the front window glass 11. Similarly, the optical fiber sensor 20 measures the reference temperature at the rear window glass 12, for example, by using a thermocouple installed near the rear window glass 12. The optical fiber sensor 20 may measure the reference temperature at the front window glass 11 and the reference temperature at the rear window glass 12, for example, when the occupant turns on the ignition switch.

[0064] In step S72, the optical fiber sensor 20 reads the measured value of the temperature change, and in the following step S73, the temperature change in each area (see FIG. 1 or FIG. 2) of the window glass 10 is calculated. For example, FIG. 8 illustrates the relationship between the shift amount and the temperature change. The shift amount is the amount of shift between the optical fiber specific frequency related to the unique fingerprint information and the measured frequency. The larger the shift amount, the larger the temperature change. The optical fiber sensor 20 pre-stores a relational equation or map corresponding to FIG. 8.

[0065] In the next step S74, the optical fiber sensor 20 calculates the temperature of each region from the reference temperature measured in step S71 and the temperature change measured in step S73. As a result, the in-plane and out-of-plane temperature distributions of each of the front window glass 11 and the rear window glass 12 are obtained.

[0066] In step S75, the optical fiber sensor 20 measures a reference relative humidity in the same manner as the temperature. The optical fiber sensor 20 grasps the humidity distribution near the surface of the window glass 10 from the reference humidity measured in advance and the measured humidity change. The optical fiber sensor 20 measures the reference humidity at the front window glass 11, for example, by using an electric humidity sensor installed near the front window glass 11. Similarly, the optical fiber sensor 20 measures the reference humidity at the rear window glass 12, for example, by using an electric humidity sensor installed near the rear window glass 12. The optical fiber sensor 20 may measure the reference humidity at the front window glass 11 and the reference humidity at the rear window glass 12, for example, at the timing when the occupant turns on the ignition switch.

[0067] In step S76, the optical fiber sensor 20 reads the measurement value of the optical fiber for measuring humidity, and in the following step S77, calculates the distortion in each region of the optical fiber. For example, Fig. 9 illustrates the relationship between the shift amount and the distortion of the optical fiber. The shift amount is the amount of shift between the specific frequency related to the specific fingerprint information of the optical fiber for measuring humidity and the measured frequency. The larger the shift amount, the larger the distortion. The optical fiber sensor 20 stores in advance a relational expression or map corresponding to Fig. 9.

[0068] In step S78, the optical fiber sensor 20 calculates the humidity change in each area of ​​the front window glass 11 and the rear window glass 12 from the distortion. Fig. 10 illustrates an example of the relationship between distortion and humidity change. The greater the distortion, the greater the humidity change. The optical fiber sensor 20 stores in advance a relational expression or map corresponding to Fig. 10.

[0069] In the next step S79, the optical fiber sensor 20 subtracts the distortion caused by the temperature change from the humidity change. That is, the optical fiber for measuring humidity is also distorted due to temperature change, and the distortion of the optical fiber for measuring humidity is the sum of the distortion caused by the humidity change and the distortion caused by the temperature change. Therefore, the distortion effect caused by the temperature change is subtracted from the humidity change calculated in step S78. Specifically, the distortion of the optical fiber for measuring temperature calculated in step S74 is regarded as the distortion effect caused by the temperature change in the optical fiber for measuring humidity, and the distortion effect is subtracted from the distortion of the optical fiber for measuring humidity (see FIG. 10). In this way, the optical fiber sensor 20 can accurately measure the humidity change.

[0070] Thereafter, in step S710, the optical fiber sensor 20 calculates the humidity distribution in the in-plane direction and the out-of-plane direction of each of the front window glass 11 and the rear window glass 12 based on the reference humidity measured in step S75 and the humidity change calculated in step S79. In the following step S711, the optical fiber sensor 20 determines where fogging has occurred or where no fogging has occurred on each of the front window glass 11 and the rear window glass 12, based on the relative humidity in each area of ​​each of the front window glass 11 and the rear window glass 12. Because the corrugated optical fiber 2 measures the humidity distribution in the out-of-plane direction of the window glass 10, the optical fiber sensor 20 can accurately predict fogging on the window glass 10.

[0071] Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S712 and step S713. In step S712, the air conditioning controller 55 performs defroster control to prevent fogging of the front window glass 11, and in step S713, the defogger controller 45 performs defogger control to prevent fogging of the rear window glass 12.

[0072] 11 is a flowchart illustrating the defroster control by the air conditioning controller 55. In this flowchart, the defroster system 5 has already been turned on by operating the interface 71.

[0073] First, in step S111, the air conditioning controller 55 determines whether or not the driver's seat side is fogged up based on the measurement result from the first optical fiber sensor 201. If the determination in step S111 is YES, the process proceeds to step S112, where the air conditioning controller 55 turns on the driver's seat defroster 53. This causes the driver's seat defroster 53 to blow air through the first air outlet 51 toward the driver's seat side of the front windshield glass 11, thereby eliminating the fog.

[0074] If the determination in step S111 is NO, the process proceeds to step S113 without proceeding to step S112. In step S113, the air conditioning controller 55 determines whether or not the passenger side is fogged up based on the measurement result from the first optical fiber sensor 201. If the determination in step S113 is YES, the process proceeds to step S114, where the air conditioning controller 55 turns on the passenger side defroster 54. As a result, the passenger side defroster 54 blows air through the second air outlet 52 toward the passenger side of the front windshield glass 11, thereby eliminating the fog.

[0075] The air conditioning controller 55 operates the defroster corresponding to the location where fogging has occurred, according to the humidity distribution in the in-plane direction and out-of-plane direction of the windshield 11 measured by the first optical fiber sensor 201. This allows the vehicle control device 9 to minimize energy consumption while eliminating fogging on the windshield 11. This improves the fuel efficiency or power efficiency of the vehicle.

[0076] 12 is a flowchart illustrating the defogger control by the defogger controller 45. In this flowchart, the defogger system 4 has already been turned on by operating the interface 71.

[0077] First, in step S121, the defogger controller 45 determines whether or not the first area of ​​the rear window glass 12 is fogged up based on the measurement result from the second optical fiber sensor 202. If the determination in step S121 is YES, the process proceeds to step S122, where the defogger controller 45 turns on the first area heating wire 41. The first area heating wire 41 defogs the first area.

[0078] If the determination in step S121 is NO, the process proceeds to step S123 without proceeding to step S122. In step S123, the defogger controller 45 determines whether or not the second area of ​​the rear window glass 12 is fogged up based on the measurement result from the second optical fiber sensor 202. If the determination in step S123 is YES, the process proceeds to step S124, where the defogger controller 45 turns on the second area heating wire 42. The second area heating wire 42 defogs the second area.

[0079] If the determination in step S123 is NO, the process proceeds to step S125 without proceeding to step S124. In step S125, the defogger controller 45 determines whether or not the third area of ​​the rear window glass 12 is fogged up based on the measurement result from the second optical fiber sensor 202. If the determination in step S125 is YES, the process proceeds to step S126, where the defogger controller 45 turns on the third area heating wire 43. The third area heating wire 43 defogs the third area.

[0080] If the determination in step S125 is NO, the process proceeds to step S127 without proceeding to step S126. In step S127, the defogger controller 45 determines whether or not the fourth area of ​​the rear window glass 12 is fogged up based on the measurement result from the second optical fiber sensor 202. If the determination in step S127 is YES, the process proceeds to step S128, where the defogger controller 45 turns on the fourth area heating wire 44. The fourth area heating wire 44 defogs the fourth area.

[0081] If the determination in step S127 is NO, the process returns without proceeding to step S128.

[0082] The defogger controller 45 activates the heating wires corresponding to the locations where fogging has occurred, in accordance with the humidity distribution in the in-plane direction and the out-of-plane direction of the rear window glass 12 measured by the second optical fiber sensor 202. This allows the vehicle control device 9 to minimize energy consumption while eliminating fogging on the rear window glass 12. This improves the fuel efficiency or power efficiency of the vehicle.

[0083] (Other embodiments) The defroster system 5 may be divided into a driver's side defroster 53 and a passenger's side defroster 54, and may also have louvers for changing the direction of air blowing. The first optical fiber sensor 201 may determine the area of ​​the windshield 11 where fogging has occurred in more detail based on the measured relative humidity of each area of ​​the windshield 11, and the air conditioning controller 55 may change the direction of the louvers so that air is blown toward the area where fogging has occurred based on the determination result. In this way, fogging of the windshield 11 is more quickly eliminated, and the vehicle control device 9 may further improve the fuel efficiency or power efficiency of the vehicle.

[0084] Furthermore, instead of or in addition to adjusting the direction of the louvers, the air conditioning controller 55 may change the amount of air blown out depending on the size of the fogging area. That is, the air conditioning controller 55 may increase the amount of air blown out when the fogging area is large, and may decrease the amount of air blown out when the fogging area is small. In this way, it is possible to eliminate fogging on the front windshield 11 while further improving the fuel economy or power consumption of the vehicle.

[0085] Also, instead of providing a single meandering optical fiber on the rear window glass 12, different optical fibers may be provided in different regions of the rear window glass 12.

[0086] Furthermore, the air conditioning controller 55 and the defogger controller 45 may automatically operate the froster system 5 or the defogger system 4, respectively, when it is determined that the front window glass 11 or the rear window glass 12 is fogged up based on the measurement results of the optical fiber sensor 20, even if the occupant does not turn on the defroster system 5 or the defogger system 4. In this case as well, the defogger device 7 properly defogs the window glass 10 while minimizing energy consumption, thereby improving the fuel efficiency or power efficiency of the vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 11. Windshield glass 12 Rear window glass 2. Optical Fiber 21 First Optical Fiber 22 Second optical fiber 23 Third Optical Fiber 24 Fourth Optical Fiber 20 Optical fiber sensor 201 First Optical Fiber Sensor 202 Second Optical Fiber Sensor 3 Measuring instrument 31 1st measuring device 32 Second measuring device 41 1st area heat ray 42 2nd area heat ray 43 Third area heat ray 44 4th area heat ray 45 Defogger controller (controller) 51 First ventilation outlet 52 Second ventilation outlet 55 Air conditioning controller (controller) 6. Moisture absorbent 7 Anti-fogging device 8. In-vehicle measuring equipment 9 Vehicle control device

Claims

1. A defrosting device for eliminating fogging on vehicle window glass; an optical fiber sensor that measures a humidity distribution near the surface of the window glass, the optical fiber extending along the surface of the window glass on the inside of the vehicle compartment and fixed to the surface of the window glass, and a measuring device that is connected to the optical fiber and measures reflected light of light that is incident on the optical fiber; a controller to which the optical fiber sensor is connected and which outputs a control signal to the anti-fogging device based on the humidity distribution measured by the optical fiber sensor; The optical fiber is coated with a moisture absorbing material that expands and contracts in response to changes in humidity, A vehicle control device, wherein the optical fiber has a wavy shape that is curved at a predetermined cycle in the longitudinal direction, and the wavy optical fiber is in contact with and separate from a surface of the window glass.

2. 2. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, A control device for a vehicle, wherein the moisture absorbent material is coated on the optical fiber such that a thickness of the moisture absorbent material at a curved portion of the optical fiber is greater than a thickness of the optical fiber at a non-bent portion of the optical fiber.

3. The vehicle control device according to claim 1 or 2, The window glass is a front window glass, A vehicle control device, wherein the optical fiber extends in the vertical direction on both sides of the front windshield in the vehicle width direction, and extends in the vehicle width direction at an upper edge of the front windshield.

4. The vehicle control device according to claim 3, The anti-fogging device includes a defroster system that blows air from an air outlet toward a surface of the front windshield glass, A vehicle control device, wherein the controller, when determining based on the humidity distribution that the front windshield on the driver's side is fogged up, causes the defroster system to blow air from a first air outlet on the driver's side, and, when determining that the front windshield on the passenger's side is fogged up, causes the defroster system to blow air from a second air outlet on the passenger's side.

5. The vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the window glass is a rear window glass, The defrosting device includes a defogger system having a plurality of heating wires arranged in parallel on a surface of the rear window glass, A vehicle control device, wherein the optical fiber extends along the heat lines in each of a plurality of regions separated by the heat lines.

6. 6. The vehicle control device according to claim 5, The controller determines fogging for each of the plurality of regions based on the humidity distribution, and causes the defogger system to turn on a heating element corresponding to the region determined to be fogging.

7. The vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the optical fiber sensor includes a first optical fiber that is coated with the moisture absorbent and has a corrugated shape, and a second optical fiber that has a corrugated shape and extends along the first optical fiber, the optical fiber sensor measures humidity changes by the first optical fiber and measures temperature changes by the second optical fiber, The optical fiber sensor corrects the measured humidity change based on a temperature change.

8. an optical fiber sensor including an optical fiber extending along a surface of a vehicle window glass on an interior side of the vehicle and fixed to the surface of the window glass, and a measuring device connected to the optical fiber and measuring reflected light of light incident on the optical fiber, the optical fiber sensor measuring at least one of a humidity distribution and a temperature distribution near the surface of the window glass, The optical fiber has a waveform that is curved at a predetermined cycle in the longitudinal direction, and the waveform-shaped optical fiber is in contact with and separate from the surface of the window glass.

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