Method for operating heating system of vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a heating system of a vehicle, in which a surface heating element (11) having a plurality of heating regions is arranged on at least one interior trim part (7). According to the invention, heating system having a device for determining a seating condition of a vehicle occupant (2) located on a vehicle seat (4), a device for determining a heating requirement of a vehicle occupant (2) located on a vehicle seat (4), and a device for determining a vehicle occupant (2) based at least on a seating condition of an occupant (2) on a vehicle seat (4) a device for specifying the heating power assigned to the heating area (13, 14, 15, 16) of the surface heating element (11) of the vehicle seat (4) according to the heating demand of the surface heating element (11) of the vehicle seat (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a heating system of a vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1 . Background Art

[0002] In order to heat the interior of a vehicle operated by an internal combustion engine, the waste heat of the internal combustion engine is usually used for a heating system which controls the temperature of the entire interior of the vehicle by convection. In particular in the case of electrically operated vehicles, this possibility of heating the interior is no longer available, so that alternative heating types and heating systems must be used here.

[0003] In particular, heating systems which control the temperature of the vehicle interior by means of radiant heat are also considered in these alternative types of heating. In these heating systems, heat is generated in a targeted and localized manner at specific locations in the vehicle by means of thermal radiation (infrared radiation), i.e., it is no longer necessary to heat the entire interior of the vehicle as is the case with convection heating.

[0004] DE 10 2021 103 399 A1 discloses a method for automatically regulating the locally felt temperature in a camper by means of radiant heating, for the subject of heating the vehicle interior. In this known method, a plurality of electric surface heaters are integrated into a planar accessory item for different use areas in the interior of the camper. The heating power of at least one of these electric surface heaters is adjusted and / or controlled depending on the exact position of the person in the interior of the camper. In particular, laminated fabrics, roof or wall panels, furniture, doors or the like are provided as planar accessory items for the interior of the camper.

[0005] DE 10 2019 202 223 A1 discloses a component for heating the interior of a vehicle, in particular the interior of a rail vehicle, wherein an infrared surface heating radiator is arranged in the interior for heating the interior of the vehicle. The infrared surface heating radiator is configured as an integrated component of the interior surface.

[0006] US11 363 683B2 discloses a system and method for radiant heating by a PTC radiant field. A radiant heating system for heating an occupant of an enclosed space includes a field for radiating heat in the enclosed space toward the occupant. A power source provides electrical power to the field. A controller controls the electrical power provided to the field based on the temperature in the enclosed space and the position of the field in the enclosed space.

[0007] US 2015 0 028 119 A1 relates to a method for heating a vehicle interior, in particular the interior of a hybrid vehicle or electric vehicle, wherein the vehicle has a central heating system and a plurality of decentralized heating surfaces designed as infrared radiators, by means of which the vehicle interior can be temperature-controlled in accordance with a heating requirement of at least one vehicle occupant. According to the invention, in order to temperature-control the interior by means of the decentralized heating surfaces, the heating power of at least one decentralized heating surface is specified or influenced in accordance with the relative position of the vehicle occupant or a body part of the vehicle occupant relative to the respective decentralized heating surface or relative to a defined group of a plurality of decentralized heating surfaces.

[0008] Other relevant publications are DE 11 2016 006 238 T5, JP 2009 178 247 A, DE 11 2016 006 238 T5, DE 10 2013 009 516 A1 and US 10 875 428 B2.

[0009] Furthermore, EP 2 578 423 B1 discloses a radiant heating device for a vehicle, wherein a radiant heater cooperating with an air conditioning system of the vehicle has a plurality of heating sections which radiate heat independently of one another into respective regions of the lower body of a vehicle occupant. Summary of the invention

[0010] Based on this known prior art, the object of the present invention is to specify a method of the generic type for operating a heating system of a vehicle, by means of which the heating power can be adjusted comfortably and individually for the vehicle occupants in a simple manner.

[0011] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method for operating a heating system of a vehicle having the features of patent claim 1 .

[0012] Advantageous developments of the invention are part of the remaining patent claims.

[0013] In the method for operating a heating system according to the invention, the interior of a vehicle is heated in a targeted manner by means of heat radiation from at least one surface heating element, which is arranged on an interior component of the vehicle and has a plurality of heating zones. In particular, at least one surface heating element is assigned to a vehicle seat and is preferably arranged in the vicinity of the vehicle seat, so that the vehicle seat environment in a specific area around the vehicle seat can be heated or temperature-controlled in a targeted manner by means of at least one surface heating element having a plurality of heating zones.

[0014] Here, any surface of an interior component of a vehicle can be provided as a receiving surface for a surface heating element with multiple heating zones. Preferably, these receiving surfaces for the surface heating element with multiple heating zones are oriented in the direction of the corresponding occupants of the vehicle. For example, for occupants in the rear row of the vehicle, the surface heating element with multiple heating zones can be arranged in the backrest part (seat back) of the front seat of the vehicle and / or the surface heating element with multiple heating zones can be arranged on the door trim of the side door of the vehicle and / or the surface heating element with multiple heating zones can be arranged in the footwell of the vehicle and / or the surface heating element with multiple heating zones can be arranged on the dashboard of the vehicle and / or the surface heating element with multiple heating zones can be arranged on the center console of the vehicle and / or the surface heating element with multiple heating zones can be arranged on the roof lining of the vehicle.

[0015] Furthermore, for a vehicle occupant sitting on a vehicle seat, the current sitting position of the occupant on the vehicle seat is determined, in particular the position relative to the radiation surface of the heating region of at least one surface heating element assigned to the vehicle seat. Thus, when specifying the heating power of the respective surface heating element, important influencing factors on the current individual heating requirement of the occupant on the vehicle seat are taken into account.

[0016] For this purpose, the sitting position and / or the body posture and / or the position of specific limbs of the vehicle occupant on the vehicle seat is determined and taken into account when specifying the heating power of the corresponding surface heating elements and their heating areas. For example, it is determined whether the occupant is sitting on the vehicle seat with his legs more apart or more together, or whether the occupant is sitting on the vehicle seat with his arms crossed or uncrossed, or whether the occupant is sitting more upright or in a more reclining position on the vehicle seat, etc.

[0017] Furthermore, physical characteristics or personal parameters of the vehicle occupant sitting on the vehicle seat are determined and taken into account when specifying the heating power of the respective surface heating element and its heating area. Where appropriate, such physical characteristics of the vehicle occupant sitting on the vehicle seat can also constitute factors that have a significant influence on the individual current heating requirements of the occupant sitting on the vehicle seat. In particular, in this case, the height of the vehicle occupant sitting on the vehicle seat and / or the clothing of the vehicle occupant sitting on the vehicle seat can be determined and taken into account when specifying the heating power of the respective surface heating element and its heating area.

[0018] This prevents, for example, taller vehicle occupants from sitting close to the surface heating element and its heating zone due to their height and feeling too hot due to being strongly heated by the heating zone of the surface heating element, and prevents shorter vehicle occupants from sitting far away from the surface heating element and its heating zone due to their short height and feeling too cold due to being weakly heated by the heating zone of the surface heating element.

[0019] When taking into account the clothing condition of the vehicle occupants located in the vehicle seats, it can be assumed, for example, that the current personal heating need in the leg area of ​​a vehicle occupant wearing shorts is smaller than the current personal heating need of a vehicle occupant wearing trousers, or that the current personal heating need of a vehicle occupant wearing a jacket is greater than the current personal heating need of a vehicle occupant without a jacket.

[0020] In order to determine the sitting condition of a vehicle occupant on a vehicle seat and to determine physical characteristics of a vehicle occupant, a sensor unit is provided which is configured as a capacitive sensor unit and / or an optical sensor unit and / or a lidar sensor unit and / or an ultrasonic sensor unit and / or a seat occupancy sensor unit, wherein the sensor unit, in particular the capacitive sensor unit, can be arranged on a surface heating element or on an interior component of the vehicle which receives the surface heating element.

[0021] When specifying the heating power of the surface heating element, in particular the individual heating zones of the surface heating element, the specific individual situation of the vehicle occupant sitting on the vehicle seat is taken into account by taking into account the current sitting situation of the vehicle occupant on the vehicle seat, preferably also by taking into account the physical characteristics of the vehicle occupant on the vehicle seat. In particular, depending on the current situation of the vehicle occupant on the vehicle seat, the individual heating zones of the surface heating element are controlled differently and are therefore activated or not activated, i.e. remain switched off, or their heating power is set individually according to the situation.

[0022] The heating power of at least one surface heating element is specified by a control unit of the vehicle, by which the voltage and current intensity of the corresponding surface heating element, in particular the voltage and current intensity of the individual heating areas of the surface heating element, are adjusted and / or controlled according to a determined heating requirement of a corresponding vehicle occupant located on the vehicle seat, at least taking into account the sitting situation of the vehicle occupant on the vehicle seat.

[0023] In order to determine the heating requirement of a vehicle occupant located on the vehicle seat, an optical sensor unit and / or a capacitive sensor unit and / or a thermal sensor unit is provided.

[0024] By means of a thermal imaging camera as a thermal sensor unit, the surface temperature of at least one irradiated body part of the vehicle occupant can be detected in order to determine the heating requirement of a vehicle occupant located on a vehicle seat. Based on the respective surface temperature of the body part of the vehicle occupant, the heating requirement of the respective body part of the vehicle occupant can then be inferred and the heating power of the heating area of ​​at least one surface heating element assigned to the vehicle seat can be controlled or regulated accordingly, taking into account the sitting situation of the vehicle occupant on the vehicle seat and, where appropriate, taking into account physical characteristics of the vehicle occupant, such as his height or clothing.

[0025] To determine the heating requirement of a vehicle occupant located on a vehicle seat, an optical camera provided as an alternative or in addition to a thermal sensor unit as an optical image acquisition unit of the optical sensor unit detects the distance between at least one body part of the occupant and at least one surface heating element or a heating zone of a surface heating element assigned to the vehicle seat, and infers the heating requirement of the occupant, in particular, the heating requirements of different body parts of the occupant. In particular, it can also be taken into account that the heat energy taken by the vehicle occupant depends on the distance from the radiation source and thus on the distance from the surface heating element or the heating zone of the surface heating element assigned to the vehicle seat. In this case, as well as directly determining the surface temperature of the irradiated body part of the vehicle occupant located on the vehicle seat, it can also be taken into account that different body parts of the vehicle occupant may have different heating requirements, for example, there may be significantly different heating requirements between the head area and the foot area of ​​the vehicle occupant. The heating power of the heating zone assigned to the at least one surface heating element of the vehicle seat is accordingly controlled or adjusted, taking into account the sitting situation of the vehicle occupant on the vehicle seat and, if appropriate, the physical characteristics of the vehicle occupant, such as his height or the state of clothing.

[0026] In order to detect the distance between at least one body part of the vehicle occupant and at least one surface heating element or the distance to the heating area of ​​the surface heating element, a capacitive sensor unit is preferably provided. The capacitive sensor unit can be arranged in the surface heating element, i.e. integrated in the surface heating element, and for this purpose, for example, is configured as a capacitive circuit in the surface heating element, or can be arranged on the surface heating element, or can be arranged in the area between the surface heating element and the vehicle seat, or can be integrated in the vehicle seat, or can be arranged on the vehicle seat.

[0027] Alternatively, sensor units using other measuring methods, in particular combinations of different such sensor units, may also be provided for detecting the distance between at least one body part of the occupant and at least one surface heating element or a heating region of the surface heating element.

[0028] The surface heating elements of a vehicle's heating system arranged in the vehicle and their heating zones can be part of a common heating circuit of the heating system or can be at least partially integrated into respectively individual and therefore mutually separate heating circuits of the heating system.

[0029] Different surface heating elements of the vehicle's heating system, in particular individual heating zones of individual surface heating elements of the vehicle's heating system, can thus also be individually actuated in a simple manner depending on the current heating requirements of the vehicle occupant sitting on the vehicle seat.

[0030] In particular, it can also be ensured thereby that only those surface heating elements, in particular heating zones of surface heating elements, of the vehicle's heating system can be activated which can actually radiate heat to the vehicle occupants located on the vehicle seats and their body parts or limbs and thus contribute to the thermal comfort of the vehicle occupants located on the vehicle seats. Since unneeded surface heating elements and their heating zones are not activated or remain deactivated, the resulting energy savings can also increase the overall efficiency of the vehicle's heating system.

[0031] Advantageously, by taking into account factors that have different influences on the current heating needs of the vehicle occupants and determining the heating powers of the individual heating zones of the surface heating element accordingly, the present invention can achieve high thermal comfort for the vehicle occupants, thereby creating a comfortably temperature-controlled environment for the vehicle occupants.

[0032] Since the activation state and the heating power of the individual heating zones of the surface heating element are specified in a manner that is personalized for the vehicle occupants and suitable for the respective application or current boundary conditions in the vehicle's interior, the vehicle's interior can be heated very efficiently and energy-savingly, preferably locally, which is very important for the vehicle's range, particularly in the case of electrically operated vehicles.

[0033] By taking into account important personal and characteristic / typical factors that influence the current heating needs of the vehicle occupants and assigning the heating powers to the individual heating zones derived therefrom, the overall heating power of the surface heating element can be reduced in many application cases, which helps to further increase the efficiency of the heating system.

[0034] Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments and from the drawings, including the figures.

[0035] The above-mentioned features and feature combinations mentioned in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the description of the figures and / or shown separately in the two figures, can be used not only in the respectively given combination but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] In the attached figure:

[0037] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the interior space of a vehicle is shown, wherein the vehicle occupants are in a particular sitting position on the rear seats of the vehicle, and

[0038] Figure 2 A further schematic illustration of the interior of a vehicle is shown, wherein a vehicle occupant is in a further sitting position on the rear seats of the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Figure 1 and Figure 2 In each case a schematic diagram of a section of an interior 1 of a vehicle is shown, wherein an occupant 2 is located in a rear area 3 of the vehicle on a rear seat 4 of the vehicle.

[0040] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the figure, the occupants 2 are shown sitting in different sitting positions on the rear seats 4 of the vehicle.

[0041] Figure 1 The occupant 2 is shown sitting with his legs apart on the rear seat 4 of the vehicle, so that the legs 5 of the occupant 2 are also relatively far apart from one another at a considerable distance 17 and are situated further in the outer region 8 of the front seat 7 of the vehicle.

[0042] Figure 2 The occupant 2 is shown sitting with legs together on the rear seat 4 of the vehicle, so that the legs 5 of the occupant 2 are also relatively close to one another at a small distance 18 and are located in the center region 9 of the front seat 7 of the vehicle.

[0043] At a specific location in the interior 1 of the vehicle, a surface heating element 11 with a plurality of heating zones 13, 14, 15, 16 is arranged on an interior trim component of the vehicle adjacent to the vehicle seats 4, 7, the radiation surface of which is preferably directed toward the respective vehicle seat 4, 7 of the vehicle. In particular, in order to individually heat a specific zone 10 for an occupant 2 located on the rear seat 4 of the vehicle, a surface heating element 11 with a plurality of heating zones 13, 14, 15, 16 is provided on the backrest 6 of the front seat 7 of the vehicle, which is integrated, for example, in a backrest lining 12 in the backrest 6 of the front seat 7 of the vehicle.

[0044] In order to specify the heating power individually for the occupant 2 on the rear seat 4 of the vehicle, for example by means of a control unit of the vehicle, the sitting situation of the occupant 2 on the rear seat 4, in particular the sitting position of the occupant 2 on the rear seat 4, is determined, for example, in particular the position of the legs 5 of the occupant 2 relative to the front seat 7 of the vehicle. The determination of the sitting position of the occupant 2 on the rear seat 4 can be realized, for example, by means of an optical camera, which is arranged, for example, in the roof region, for example integrated in the roof lining of the vehicle, or arranged in the region of the center console of the vehicle.

[0045] according to Figure 1 In the sitting position with legs apart, the distance 17 between the legs 5 of the occupant 2 on the rear seat 4 is quite large, so that in order to heat the leg area of ​​the occupant 2, only the two outer heating areas 13, 15 in the area of ​​the legs 5 of the occupant 2 are activated on the surface heating element 11, for example, the heating power of the two heating areas 13, 15 of the surface heating element 11 is 200 W respectively. The other two heating areas 14, 16 of the surface heating element 11 are not activated, so that only the heating areas 13, 15 of the surface heating element 11 that contribute to heating the legs 5 of the occupant 2 require energy.

[0046] according to Figure 2 In the sitting position with legs together, the distance 18 between the legs 5 of the occupant 2 on the rear seat 4 is very small, so that in order to heat the leg area of ​​the occupant 2, only the middle heating area 14 in the area of ​​the legs 5 of the occupant 2 is activated in the surface heating element 11, for example, the heating power of the heating area 14 of the surface heating element 11 is 250 W. The two outer heating areas 13 and 15 of the surface heating element 11 are not activated, so that only the heating area 14 of the surface heating element 11 that helps to heat the legs 5 of the occupant 2 requires energy.

[0047] In addition, Figure 2 In the illustration of , the heating area 16 of the surface heating element 11 in the upper part of the backrest lining 12 in the backrest 6 of the front seat 7 of the vehicle is also activated, so that the area of ​​the upper body of the occupant 2 on the rear seat 4 is also heated in a targeted manner by heat radiation. For this purpose, for example, the value of the heating power of the heating area 16 of the surface heating element 11 is set to 180W.

Claims

1. A method for operating a heating system of a vehicle, the heating system having at least one surface heating element (11) arranged on an interior component (7) of the vehicle and assigned to a vehicle seat (4), the surface heating element having a plurality of heating zones (13, 14, 15, 16), wherein: The method comprises: determining a sitting position and / or a body posture and / or a limb position of a vehicle occupant (2) located on a vehicle seat (4) by means of a sensor unit designed as a capacitive sensor unit and / or an optical sensor unit and / or a lidar sensor unit and / or an ultrasonic sensor unit and / or a seat occupancy sensor unit, determining a heating requirement of a vehicle occupant (2) located on the vehicle seat (4) by means of a further optical sensor unit and / or a capacitive sensor unit and / or a thermal sensor unit, and specifying the heating power of the heating areas (13, 14, 15, 16) of the surface heating element (11) assigned to the vehicle seat (4) according to a heating requirement of an occupant (2) of the vehicle determined at least on the basis of a sitting condition of the occupant (2) on the vehicle seat (4), It is characterized in that The method additionally includes determining body characteristics of an occupant (2) of the vehicle located on a vehicle seat (4), and specifying the heating power of a heating area (13, 14, 15, 16) of a surface heating element (11) allocated to the vehicle seat (4) based on a heating requirement determined based on the sitting condition of the occupant (2) on the vehicle seat (4) and the body characteristics of the occupant (2), wherein it is also provided that a distance (8, 9) between at least one body part (5) of the occupant (2) of the vehicle and the surface heating element (11) is determined by an optical sensor unit and / or a capacitive sensor unit.

2. The method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The thermal sensor unit is arranged to detect the surface temperature of at least one body part (5) of an occupant (2) of a vehicle located on a vehicle seat (4).

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, It is characterized in that A control unit of the vehicle is provided for specifying the heating power of the heating zones (13, 14, 15, 16) of the at least one surface heating element (11).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, It is characterized in that At least one surface heating element (11) having a plurality of heating zones (13, 14, 15, 16) is arranged on a backrest (6) of a front seat (7) of a vehicle and / or on a door trim of a side door of the vehicle and / or in a footwell of the vehicle and / or on a dashboard of the vehicle and / or on a center console of the vehicle and / or on a roof lining of the vehicle.

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