Vehicle air conditioning system

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide a vehicle air conditioning system that prevents inaudible conversations between vehicle occupants while maintaining a sufficient sense of warmth or coolness. To address this issue, a vehicle air conditioning system 10 controls the heating and cooling conditions within a vehicle 1 and includes a speech detector 61 that detects the speech of an occupant P within the vehicle 1; and a control device 22 that, when speech detector 61 detects speech by occupant P, reduces the air volume of a blower 13 and activates auxiliary devices 71, 72, 73, and 75 that assist in heating and cooling.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air-conditioning device for a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle air conditioner is known that uses a blower to blow air to heat and cool the vehicle cabin (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This vehicle air conditioner automatically controls the cabin temperature by adjusting the blower's air volume while passengers are conversing.

[0003] [Prior technical literature]

[0004] (Patent Document)

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-9016 Summary of the Invention

[0006] [Problems to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, conventional vehicle air conditioners automatically control the temperature inside the vehicle cabin, but this is insufficient to maintain a sense of warmth or coolness. The present invention aims to provide a vehicle air conditioner that prevents occupants from having difficulty hearing conversations while maintaining a sufficient sense of warmth or coolness.

[0008] [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides a vehicle air-conditioning device (for example, the vehicle air-conditioning device 10 described later), which controls the heating and cooling status in a vehicle (for example, the vehicle 1 described later), and is equipped with: a speech status detection unit (for example, the camera 61 described later), which detects the speaking status of an occupant in the aforementioned vehicle (for example, the occupant P described later); and a control device (for example, the control device 22 described later), which reduces the air volume of a blower (for example, the blower 13 described later) when the speaking status of the aforementioned occupant is detected by the aforementioned speech status detection unit, and operates auxiliary equipment that assists the aforementioned heating and cooling (for example, the seat heater 71, the seat ventilation equipment 72, the radiation panel 73, and the temperature control panel 75 described later).

[0010] Thus, when a call is made on a hands-free phone, the air volume from the blower is reduced, thereby preventing the conversation from being difficult to hear and preventing a decrease in heating and cooling performance.

[0011] In this case, preferably, the control device does not reduce the air volume of the blower but maintains the air volume when the temperature in the vehicle cabin is unstable. Thus, when the temperature in the vehicle cabin is unstable, air conditioning performance can be prioritized rather than reducing the air volume from the blower to improve the speaking state.

[0012] At this time, it is preferred that an occupant detection unit (for example, the weight sensor 62 described later) is provided for detecting whether there are occupants in the aforementioned vehicle, and when the aforementioned control device detects that there are occupants in the rear seats using the aforementioned occupant detection unit, the control device significantly reduces the air volume of the blower compared to when the aforementioned occupant detection unit only detects that there are occupants in the driver's seat (for example, the driver's seat 101 described later) and the passenger seat (for example, the passenger seat 102 described later).

[0013] Therefore, since the distance between the speakers, that is, the passengers, is relatively close, even if the reduction rate of the blower is smaller than the given reduction rate, when the passengers are talking to each other, the effect of preventing the conversation from being difficult to hear can still be fully exerted, and a significant reduction in air conditioning performance can also be prevented.

[0014] Furthermore, since the distance between passengers talking in the front and rear seats is relatively large, significantly reducing the blower air volume makes it easier for them to hear each other's conversation, thereby improving the conversation quality.

[0015] At this time, it is preferred that a call detection unit (for example, the call detection unit 65 described later) is provided for detecting the telephone call made by the aforementioned passenger, and the aforementioned control device does not reduce the air volume of the aforementioned blower but maintains the air volume when the aforementioned speaking state detection unit detects that a speaking state is present but the aforementioned call detection unit does not detect a speaking state with the other party on the phone.

[0016] Thus, when an occupant is talking to himself or singing alone, there is no need to reduce the blower air volume because there is no one to talk to. Therefore, the air volume of the blower can be maintained without reducing it, and the air conditioning performance can be maintained.

[0017] In this case, the speech state detection unit preferably includes a camera (e.g., camera 61 described later). Thus, compared with the case of detecting the speech state with a microphone, noise is not mixed in like a microphone, and the inability to detect the accurate speech state due to noise can be prevented.

[0018] (Effects of the Invention)

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle air conditioning device that can prevent passengers from having difficulty hearing their conversation while maintaining a sufficient sense of warmth or coolness. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 This is an explanatory diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a vehicle air conditioning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view showing a blower of a vehicle air conditioning system as one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a flowchart showing control of a blower and auxiliary equipment executed by a control device of a vehicle air conditioning system as one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing control of a blower in a vehicle air conditioning system according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] Figure 1 It is an explanatory diagram showing a vehicle 1 equipped with a vehicle air conditioner 10 . Figure 2 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the blower 13 of the vehicle air conditioner 10. Figure 2 An arrow FR indicating the front of the vehicle 1 and an arrow UP indicating the upward direction of the vehicle 1 are shown therein.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle air conditioning device is constructed in a manner to control the heating and cooling states in the vehicle 1, and comprises: a blower 13; a camera 61, which serves as a speech state detection unit and detects the speech state of the occupant P by recognizing the facial state of the occupant P; a weight sensor 62, which serves as an occupant detection unit and is provided in each seat (driver's seat 101, passenger seat 102, and rear seat 103) to detect whether the occupant P is seated in the vehicle 1; a call detection unit 65, which detects the free communication of a phone using Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication or the like. The vehicle 1 includes a seat heater 71, which is provided on the driver's seat 101, the passenger seat 102, and the rear seat 103 to heat the driver's seat 101, the passenger seat 102, and the rear seat 103; a seat ventilation device 72, which draws air from or blows air to the surfaces of the driver's seat 101, the passenger seat 102, and the rear seat 103 to adjust the humidity; a radiation panel 73, which releases or absorbs heat into the interior of the vehicle 1; a temperature control panel 75, which is provided on the door armrests and the center console box to adjust the temperature of these surfaces; and a control device 80. The seat heater 71, the seat ventilation device 72, the radiation panel 73, and the temperature control panel 75 constitute auxiliary equipment for assisting heating and cooling. The vehicle 1 includes front seats (101, 102) and rear seats 103, with the front seats including the driver's seat 101 and the passenger seat 102.

[0027] A vehicle air conditioner 10 having a blower 13 is installed in front of front seats (101, 102) of a vehicle 1. Specifically, the blower 13 is located below a windshield 2 in front of the front seats (101, 102) of the vehicle 1, that is, behind an engine hood 3 that covers the upper portion of the engine compartment. A cowl top panel 4 is located below the front side of the windshield 2, and an instrument panel upper panel 5 is located below the cowl top panel 4.

[0028] The space between the cowl top panel 4 and the instrument panel upper panel 5 forms an intake passage 6, which guides outside air to an outside air intake port 11 of a vehicle air conditioning unit 10. A through hole 7 is formed in the instrument panel upper panel 5, facing the intake passage 6. The through hole 7 is connected to the outside air intake port 11 of the vehicle air conditioning unit 10 via a connecting duct 8.

[0029] A communication hole 9 is formed in the cowl top panel 4. This hole simultaneously allows for the introduction of outside air and the removal of rainwater and other water droplets. Water droplets dripping from the communication hole 9 below the windshield 2 flow along the vehicle width at the bottom of the inlet passage 6 before being drained to the outside of the vehicle through drainage holes 50 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, outside air entering the vehicle 1 through the communication hole 9 and into the inlet passage 6 is directed through the through hole 7 and the connecting duct 8 to the outside air inlet 11.

[0030] The vehicle air conditioning system 10 includes an air conditioning unit 17, which includes an air filter 12, a blower 13, an evaporator 14, a heater core 15, and an air mix door 16. The blower 13, evaporator 14, and heater core 15 are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream in the airflow direction within a housing 17a of the air conditioning unit 17. At the upstream end of the housing 17a in the airflow direction, an outside air inlet 11 for introducing air outside the vehicle 1 and an inside air inlet 18 for introducing air into the vehicle cabin are formed. The outside air inlet 11 and the inside air inlet 18 are opened and closed by an inside-outside air switching door 19.

[0031] The air filter 12 is positioned between the outside air inlet 11, the inside air inlet 18, and the blower 13. The evaporator 14 cools the incoming air using the refrigerant's heat of vaporization. The heater core 15 heats the incoming air using heat from the engine coolant and heat generated by the heat pump system. Furthermore, the air mix door 16 is rotated by an actuator (not shown), and the rotational position adjusts the proportion of air passing through the heater core 15.

[0032] When the outside air inlet 11 is opened by the inside-outside air switching door 19, outside air is drawn into the housing 17a through the aforementioned inlet passage 6 and connecting duct 8. When the inside-outside air switching door 19 is opened, the inside air inlet 18 draws air from the vehicle cabin into the housing 17a through the inside air inlet passage 20. In this embodiment, the outside air inlet 11 and the inside air inlet 18 are arranged adjacent to the upstream end of the housing 17a so that the directions of the introduced air intersect with each other.

[0033] The inside-outside air switching door 19 is slidable between a first position, which fully closes the inside air inlet 18 and fully opens the outside air inlet 11, and a second position, which fully opens the inside air inlet 18 and fully closes the outside air inlet 11. In this embodiment, the inside-outside air switching door 19 is driven by a door operating actuator 21, such as a motor, to slide in an arcuate shape. The inside surface 19a of the inside-outside air switching door 19 is formed as an arcuate curved surface.

[0034] The curved shape of the inner surface 19a is formed to roughly follow the curved shape of the arcuate sliding track of the inside / outside air switching door 19. Therefore, when the inside / outside air switching door 19 closes either the outside air inlet 11 or the inside air inlet 18, it can direct air introduced from the other inlet along the arcuate inner surface 19a toward the air cleaner 12 (blower 13). The door operating actuator 21 is controlled by a control device 22. Therefore, the opening and closing of the outside air inlet 11 and the inside air inlet 18 by the inside / outside air switching door 19 is controlled by the control device 22.

[0035] The blower 13 includes a drive motor 13a that is driven under the control of the control device 22. The blower 13 draws air from at least one of the outside air inlet 11 and the inside air inlet 18 and delivers it to the downstream side (toward the evaporator 14). Output information from the drive motor 13a (blower 13) (e.g., drive voltage and rotational speed) is fed back to the control device 22.

[0036] In addition to the output information from the drive motor 13a (blower 13), the control device 22 also receives inputs such as status information from the inside / outside air switching switch 23 operated by the operator, vehicle speed information from the vehicle speed sensor 24, and detection information from the blowing mode detection unit 25 for detecting the blowing mode described later. Furthermore, the control device 22 receives inputs such as detection information from the camera 61 regarding the speech status of the occupant P in the vehicle 1, occupant detection information from the weight sensor 62, and telephone call detection information from the call detection unit 65.

[0037] In addition, the downstream side of the air conditioning unit 17 is connected to the ventilation passage 26, the foot passage 27, and the defrost passage 28 in a three-branch state. The end of the ventilation passage 26 on the vehicle interior side is as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown by the arrow A in FIG. 2 , a ventilation outlet 26a is formed for blowing air-conditioned air to the upper body of the passenger P in the vehicle compartment. Figure 1 As indicated by arrow B in FIG, floor outlet 27a is formed for blowing conditioned air toward the feet of occupants P in the vehicle cabin. Furthermore, at the end of the defroster passage 28 on the vehicle interior side, a defroster outlet 28a is formed for blowing conditioned air toward the inner surface of the windshield 2 in the vehicle cabin. Ventilation outlet 26a, floor outlet 27a, and defroster outlet 28a are opened and closed by doors 29, 30, and 31, respectively.

[0038] Next, the control performed by the control device 22 will be described. Figure 3 This flowchart illustrates the control of the blower 13 and auxiliary equipment (seat heater 71, seat ventilation system 72, radiation panel 73, and temperature control panel 75) by the control device 22 of the vehicle air conditioning system 10. This flowchart illustrates the control of the blower 13 of the vehicle air conditioning system 10.

[0039] In the control of the control device 22, first, in step S11, it is determined whether the occupants P of the vehicle 1 are speaking (speaking state) based on the information from the camera 61. In this case, it is determined whether at least one of the occupants P seated in the front seat, i.e., the driver's seat 101, the passenger seat 102, or the rear seat 103, is speaking.

[0040] In step S11, if the control device 22 determines that the passenger P is speaking (step S11: Yes), the process performed by the control device 22 proceeds to step S12. In step S11, if the control device 22 determines that the passenger P is not speaking (step S11: No), the process performed by the control device 22 proceeds to step S15.

[0041] In step S15, the control device 22 controls the air volume of the blower 13, the air temperature of the blower 13, and the temperatures of the radiation panel 73 and the temperature control plate 75 to normal temperatures. The control device 22 then ends the process.

[0042] On the other hand, in step S12, the control device 22 performs the blower air volume reduction control. Specifically, in the blower air volume reduction control, if Figure 4As shown, first, in step S21, the control device 22 determines whether the temperature inside the vehicle cabin is stable. If the control device 22 determines that the temperature inside the vehicle cabin is stable (step S21: Yes), the process performed by the control device 22 proceeds to step S22. If the control device 22 determines that the temperature inside the vehicle cabin is unstable (step S21: No), the process performed by the control device 22 proceeds to step S25. Here, "the temperature inside the vehicle cabin is stable" means, for example, that the temperature fluctuation within 5 minutes is within ±2°C.

[0043] In step S22, the control device 22 determines which seat of the vehicle 1 the passenger P of the vehicle 1 is seated. If the control device 22 determines that the passenger P is seated only in the driver's seat 101 (step S22: Driver's Seat Only), the processing performed by the control device 22 proceeds to step S23. If the control device 22 determines that the passenger P is seated in both the driver's seat 101 and the passenger seat 102 (step S22: Driver's Seat + Passenger Seat), the processing performed by the control device 22 proceeds to step S26. If the control device 22 determines that the passenger P is seated in the rear seat 103 (step S22: Rear Seat Occupancy), the processing performed by the control device 22 proceeds to step S27.

[0044] In step S25, the control device 22 controls the blower 13 to maintain the air volume, and does not reduce or change the air volume of the blower 13. The process performed by the control device 22 then proceeds to step S13.

[0045] The control device 22, in step S23, determines whether the passenger P of the vehicle 1 is talking on the phone. When it is determined that the passenger P is talking on the phone (step S23: yes), the processing implemented by the control device 22 proceeds to step S24. When the control device 22 determines that the passenger P is not talking on the phone (step S23: no), the processing implemented by the control device 22 proceeds to step S25. The control device 22, in step S24, controls the blower 13 to reduce the air volume of the blower 13 from the current air volume by a prescribed reduction amplitude. Then, the processing implemented by the control device 22 proceeds to step S13 (refer to Figure 3 ).

[0046] The control device 22, in step S26 (refer to Figure 4), the blower 13 is controlled to reduce the air volume of the blower 13 from the current air volume by a smaller reduction than the aforementioned prescribed reduction. The processing performed by the control device 22 then proceeds to step S13. Furthermore, in step S27, the control device 22 controls the blower 13 to reduce the air volume of the blower 13 from the current air volume by a larger reduction than the aforementioned prescribed reduction. The processing performed by the control device 22 then proceeds to step S13.

[0047] In step S13, the control device 22 calculates optimal operation allocations for multiple auxiliary devices to compensate for the reduction in the air volume of the blower 13. Specifically, for example, in the vehicle air conditioning system 10, when the control device 22 controls cooling, the vehicle cabin temperature rises due to the reduction in the air volume of the blower 13. To compensate for this, the control device 22 calculates optimal operation allocations to determine the degree to which the seat ventilation system 72 and the radiation panel 73 should be operated more vigorously. Furthermore, for example, when the control device 22 controls heating, when the control device 22 controls heating, the vehicle cabin temperature drops due to the reduction in the air volume of the blower 13. To compensate for this, the control device 22 calculates optimal operation allocations to determine the degree to which the seat heater 71, the radiation panel 73, and the temperature control panel 75 should be operated more vigorously. The processing performed by the control device 22 then proceeds to step S14.

[0048] In step S14, the control device 22 controls the auxiliary equipment so as to operate the auxiliary equipment based on the calculation result in step S13. Then, the processing performed by the control device 22 ends.

[0049] According to this embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

[0050] This embodiment includes a camera 61, which serves as a speech detection unit to detect the speech of an occupant P in vehicle 1; and a control device 22, which, upon detecting speech by the occupant P using camera 61, reduces the air volume of blower 13 and operates auxiliary heating and cooling devices (seat heater 71, seat ventilation system 72, radiation panel 73, and temperature control panel 75). This reduces the air volume of blower 13 during hands-free phone calls, preventing inaudible conversation and maintaining adequate warmth / coolness for the occupant.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control device 22 maintains the air volume of the blower 13 rather than reducing it when the cabin temperature of the vehicle 1 is unstable. This allows the air conditioning performance to be prioritized when the cabin temperature is unstable, rather than reducing the air volume from the blower 13 to improve the speaking state.

[0052] In addition, in this embodiment, there is an occupant detection unit, that is, a weight sensor 62, for detecting whether there is an occupant P in the vehicle 1. When the weight sensor 62 is used to detect that there is an occupant in the rear seat, the control device significantly reduces the air volume of the blower compared to when the weight sensor 62 is used to detect that there are occupants only in the driver's seat 101 and the front passenger seat 102.

[0053] Therefore, since the distance between the speakers, that is, the passengers P, is relatively close, even if the reduction rate of the blower 13 is smaller than the prescribed reduction rate, when the passengers P are talking to each other, the effect of preventing the conversation from being difficult to hear can still be fully exerted, and a significant reduction in air conditioning performance can also be prevented.

[0054] Furthermore, since the distance between passengers talking in the front seats (101, 102) and the rear seat 103 is relatively far, the air volume of the blower 13 can be significantly reduced, making it easier for them to hear each other's conversation, thereby improving the conversation state.

[0055] In addition, in this embodiment, there is a call detection unit 65 for detecting a telephone call made by the passenger P, and the control device does not reduce the air volume of the aforementioned blower 13 but maintains the air volume when the speaking state detection unit, that is, the camera 61, detects a speaking state but the call detection unit 65 does not detect a speaking state with the other party of the phone.

[0056] When the passenger P is talking to himself or singing alone, there is no one to talk to, so there is no need to reduce the air volume of the blower 13. Therefore, when the passenger detection unit, that is, the weight sensor 62, detects that only the passenger P is in the driver's seat 101, the above-mentioned structure can maintain the air volume of the blower without reducing it, thereby maintaining the air conditioning performance.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the speech state detection unit includes a camera 61. This prevents noise from being mixed in, as compared to the case where the speech state is detected using a microphone, and prevents the speech state from being lost due to noise.

[0058] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and any changes and improvements within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention are encompassed by the present invention.

[0059] For example, the speech detection unit, auxiliary equipment, occupant detection unit, and call detection unit are not limited to the camera 61, seat heater 71, seat ventilation system 72, radiation panel 73, temperature control panel 75, weight sensor 62, and call detection unit 65 in this embodiment. For example, a capacitance sensor or the like may be used in place of the occupant detection unit, i.e., weight sensor 62. Furthermore, the definition of "stability of the vehicle cabin temperature" is not limited to the definition of "stability of the vehicle cabin temperature" in this embodiment.

[0060] Reference numerals

[0061] 1 vehicle

[0062] 10 Vehicle air conditioning system

[0063] 13 Blower

[0064] 22 Control Device

[0065] 61 Camera (speech status detection unit)

[0066] 62 Weight sensor (passenger detection unit)

[0067] 65 Call Detection Unit

[0068] 71 Seat heater (auxiliary equipment)

[0069] 72 Seat ventilation equipment (auxiliary equipment)

[0070] 73 Radiant Panel (Auxiliary Equipment)

[0071] 75 Temperature control board (auxiliary equipment)

[0072] 101 Driver's Seat

[0073] 102 Passenger Seat

[0074] P Crew

Claims

1. A vehicle air conditioning device that controls heating and cooling conditions in a vehicle and comprises: a speech state detection unit for detecting the speech state of the occupant in the vehicle; and a control device which, when the speech detection unit detects the speech of the passenger, reduces the air volume of the blower and operates the auxiliary equipment for assisting the heating and cooling, When the control device reduces the air volume of the aforementioned blower and operates the aforementioned auxiliary equipment that assists the aforementioned heating and cooling, calculations are performed on the optimal operation distribution of multiple aforementioned auxiliary equipment to compensate for the reduced air volume of the aforementioned blower, and the aforementioned auxiliary equipment is controlled based on the results of the aforementioned calculations to operate the aforementioned auxiliary equipment.

2. The vehicle air conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein The control device maintains the air volume of the blower without reducing the air volume when the temperature in the cabin of the vehicle is unstable.

3. The vehicle air conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein A passenger detection unit is provided for detecting the presence of a passenger in the vehicle. Furthermore, when the occupant detection unit detects that there is an occupant in the rear seat, the control device significantly reduces the air volume of the blower compared to when the occupant detection unit detects that there are occupants only in the driver's seat and the front passenger seat.

4. The vehicle air conditioning device according to claim 2, wherein: A passenger detection unit is provided for detecting the presence of a passenger in the vehicle. Furthermore, when the occupant detection unit detects that there is an occupant in the rear seat, the control device significantly reduces the air volume of the blower compared to when the occupant detection unit detects that there are occupants only in the driver's seat and the front passenger seat.

5. The vehicle air conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein A call detection unit is provided for detecting a telephone call made by the aforementioned passenger, Furthermore, when the speaking state detection unit detects a speaking state but the call detection unit does not detect a talking state with the other party on the phone, the control device does not reduce the air volume of the blower but maintains the air volume.

6. The vehicle air conditioning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The speech state detection unit includes a camera.

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