Air conditioning for a vehicle with idle-stop function
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORP
- Filing Date
- 2010-03-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-16
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle air conditioners with idle-stop functions fail to maintain comfort and prolong the idling-stop state due to temperature fluctuations and window fogging issues caused by varying outside temperatures, especially in summer and winter.
An air conditioner system with inside/outside air ratio control, air flow rate control, and temperature control devices, adjusted by an ECU, to manage the introduction of inside and outside air based on temperature sensors, maintaining comfort and extending the idling-stop duration.
The system maintains comfort and prevents window fogging by optimizing air distribution and flow rate, ensuring a stable, long-lasting idling-stop state regardless of outside temperatures.
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioning system and in particular an air conditioning system which provides increased comfort during an idle-stop condition. Description of the related technique
[0002] An air conditioning system in a vehicle with an idle-stop function, which is not equipped with a device such as an electric compressor, is designed to switch off when the engine is switched off during an idle-stop state. Therefore, in summer, if the idle-stop state persists for a while, the interior temperature of the vehicle increases due to a decrease in cooling capacity. In winter, the dehumidifying capacity decreases, which can cause the vehicle windows to fog up.
[0003] To solve these problems, a technique has been developed in which an interior / exterior air flap (inlet flap) is controlled to increase the amount of interior air introduced through the air flap in response to a decrease in engine coolant temperature when the vehicle interior temperature is lower than a predetermined value and an evaporator temperature is higher than a predetermined value, and the engine coolant temperature is lower than a predetermined value when the vehicle enters an idle-stop state while the air conditioning is operating in a heating mode, and the air flap is controlled to increase the amount of interior air introduced through the air flap in response to an increase in the vehicle interior temperature when the vehicle interior temperature is higher than a predetermined value and the evaporator temperature is lower than a predetermined value when the vehicle enters an idle-stop state.while the air conditioning is operating in a cooling mode (see unexamined Japanese patent publication no. 2001-310618). Because the conditioned air is kept in continuous circulation even after the engine is switched off, according to the setting of an opening degree of the interior / exterior air flap, as described in the publication, a deterioration of the air conditioning comfort after the engine is switched off is largely prevented. In particular, fogging of the vehicle windows during the winter months is avoided to the greatest extent possible.
[0004] In this context, it is undesirable to increase the volume of recirculated interior air while the engine is switched off, because this limits the introduction of fresh outside air into the vehicle interior. Furthermore, when the air conditioning is switched off in winter, fogging of the windows is generally unavoidable.
[0005] In this regard, according to the technology described in the publication, the degree of opening of the interior / exterior air flap is adjusted so that the technology is suitable for introducing a certain amount of outside air into the vehicle interior.
[0006] On the other hand, the following problem arises. According to the technology described in the publication, when the vehicle enters an idle-stop state, the amount of air introduced into the interior is controlled by adjusting the opening degree of the interior / exterior air flap according to the temperatures of the vehicle interior and the evaporator. For example, because the outside air temperature is higher in summer and lower in winter, the amount of heat exchange in the evaporator or heating system is increased. This shortens the time for introducing cool or warm air into the vehicle interior. As a result, the idle-stop state is soon released so that the air conditioning can be activated to maintain the comfort of the vehicle interior. That is, the duration of the idle-stop state is shortened depending on the outside temperature, which is undesirable. Brief description of the invention
[0007] The invention was developed to solve the aforementioned problem. It is an object of the invention to provide an air conditioning system for a vehicle with an idle-stop function that ensures the comfort of the vehicle interior regardless of the outside air temperature, even during an idle-stop state, and allows for an extension of the duration of the idle-stop state.
[0008] To solve the above problem, the air conditioning system according to the invention for a vehicle with an idle-stop function comprises: an indoor / outdoor air ratio control device for regulating the ratio of the intake air to the intake air, wherein the indoor / outdoor air ratio control device is installed in a vehicle with an engine idle-stop function and has an indoor / outdoor air flap for switching between indoor and outdoor air, which is arranged in an air conditioning duct that introduces outdoor air from outside a vehicle interior and indoor air from inside the vehicle interior via an indoor air inlet and an outdoor air inlet, respectively, and introduces the outdoor and indoor air into the vehicle interior via a nozzle. room emits, wherein the inside / outside air flap is arranged downstream of the inside and outside air inlet and an inside / comprising an outside air flap actuator for driving the inside / outside air flap; an air flow rate control device located downstream of the inside / outside air ratio control device in the air conditioning duct, which regulates the air flow rate of the air to be introduced; a temperature control device located downstream of the air flow rate control device in the air conditioning duct, which regulates the temperature of the introduced air in response to activation of the motor; and an outside air temperature sensing device for detecting the outside air temperature.If the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor is lower than a first preset temperature while the vehicle is in an idle / stop state, the inside / outside air ratio control system sets the opening of the inside / outside air flap to a first preset degree, causing the proportion of outside air to be higher than that of inside air. If the outside air temperature is higher than or equal to a second preset temperature, the inside / outside air ratio control system sets the opening of the inside / outside air flap to a second preset degree, causing the proportion of inside air to be higher than that of outside air.If the outside air temperature is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature and lower than the second preset temperature, the inside / outside air ratio control unit adjusts the opening degree of the inside / outside air flap according to the outside temperature to a value between the first and second preset opening degrees. If the air flow rate is greater than or equal to a preset flow rate while the vehicle is in idle / stop mode, the air flow rate control unit adjusts the air flow rate to the preset flow rate.
[0009] When the idle-stop function is activated in summer, when the outside air temperature is high, an increase in the temperature control device is prevented by increasing the proportion of interior air and introducing the conditioned air from the vehicle interior into the temperature control device, while simultaneously reducing the airflow rate of the airflow control device, thereby reducing the amount of air flowing into the temperature control device. In winter, when the outside temperature is low, the airflow rate of the airflow control device is reduced to decrease the amount of air flowing into the temperature control device. At the same time, the lower the outside temperature, the more outside air is introduced, thereby increasing the proportion of outside air. This brings the air inside the vehicle interior closer to the outside air.
[0010] As a result, during an idling-stop state in summer, cold air is retained for a long period of time, thus maintaining comfort and ensuring a stable, long-lasting idling-stop state. During an idling-stop state in winter, fogging of the windows is prevented while heating performance is ensured, and here too, a stable, long-lasting idling-stop state can be maintained.
[0011] Preferably, the temperature control device has an evaporator that is integrated into a refrigeration circuit in which a refrigerant circulates, wherein the refrigerant is compressed by a compressor driven by the motor and at the same time a phase change is caused by the release and absorption of heat, and heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air introduced into the air conditioning duct.
[0012] Therefore, when the idle-stop function is activated in summer, when the outside temperature is high, the conditioned air in the vehicle interior is introduced into the evaporator by increasing the proportion of interior air, and the amount of air flowing into the evaporator is reduced by decreasing the airflow rate of the airflow control device. As a result, a temperature increase of the refrigerant is prevented, which allows cold air to be maintained for a long period of time and comfort to be preserved. This ensures a stable, long-lasting idle-stop state. In winter, when the outside temperature is low, the airflow rate of the airflow control device is reduced to decrease the amount of air flowing into the evaporator. At the same time, as the outside temperature decreases, more outside air is introduced. The air in the vehicle interior therefore becomes closer to the outside air temperature.Furthermore, fogging of the windows is prevented while maintaining heating performance. A stable, long-lasting idling / stop state can also be ensured here.
[0013] Preferably, when the air flow rate is less than the specified amount, when the vehicle is in the idle-stop state, the air flow rate control device maintains the air flow rate.
[0014] Therefore, it is prevented that the air flow rate increases when the air flow rate is less than the specified flow rate, which effectively prevents a temperature increase of the refrigerant. Brief description of the drawings
[0015] The present invention is illustrated by reference to the detailed description below and the accompanying drawings, which serve only for illustration and are not intended to limit the present invention; they show:
[0016] Fig. 1 shows a schematic configuration view of an air conditioning system according to the invention for a vehicle with idle-stop function;
[0017] Fig. 2 shows a graph to illustrate a concept of a blower control according to the invention during an idle-stop state;
[0018] Fig. 3 shows a graph to illustrate a concept of an opening degree control according to the invention of an inside / outside air flap during an idle-stop state; and
[0019] Fig. 4 shows a flowchart illustrating a control program according to the invention for an air conditioning system during an idle-stop state. Detailed description of preferred embodiments
[0020] An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0021] Fig. 1 shows a schematic configuration view of an air conditioning system according to the invention for a vehicle with an idle-stop function, which is installed in vehicle 1. The configuration of the air conditioning system for the vehicle with the idle-stop function is described below.
[0022] In Fig. 1, white arrows represent air currents. The part above a dotted-dash line is located outside the vehicle interior, and the part below the line is located inside the vehicle interior.
[0023] As shown in Fig. 1, the air conditioning system for a vehicle with idle-stop function comprises an HVAC (Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning) unit (air conditioning unit) 21, a compressor 22, a condenser 23, a refrigerant pressure sensor 24, an expansion valve 25, an air conditioning (A / C) ECU 28, an air conditioning operating section 29, an outside air temperature sensor 31 (outside air temperature sensing section) and an inside air temperature sensor 32.
[0024] An upstream section of the HVAC unit 21 branches into an outside air inlet 21i for introducing outside air and an inside air inlet 21j for introducing inside air. At a branching point, an inside / outside air damper 21a is arranged to control the inlet ratio between the outside and inside air supplied to the HVAC unit 21.
[0025] The degree of opening of the indoor / outdoor air flap 21a is adjustable by a stepper motor 21b (indoor / outdoor air flap drive device).
[0026] Downstream of the indoor / outdoor air flap 21a of the HVAC unit 21 are a blower and motor unit 21c (air flow control device) and a temperature control section 21d (temperature control device) are arranged, consisting of an evaporator 21e, an evaporator temperature sensor 21f, a temperature control flap and motor unit 21g and a heating device 21h.
[0027] The blower and motor unit 21c introduces air into the HVAC unit 21 via the outside air inlet 21i and the inside air inlet 21j and introduces the temperature-controlled air into a vehicle interior via a nozzle 21k.
[0028] A refrigeration cycle is formed from the evaporator 21e, the compressor 22, the condenser 23, the refrigerant pressure sensor 24, the expansion valve 25, and pipes 26 that connect these components. The pipes 26 are filled with a refrigerant. The refrigerant circulates through the compressor 22, the condenser 23, the refrigerant pressure sensor 24, the expansion valve 25, and the evaporator 21e in the aforementioned order, while changing its phase.
[0029] The evaporator 21e causes the refrigerant to absorb heat through heat exchange between the air and the refrigerant, thereby cooling or dehumidifying the air introduced into the HVAC unit 21.
[0030] The compressor 22 is driven by a motor 11 to drive the vehicle 1 and compresses and liquefies the evaporated refrigerant.
[0031] The condenser 23 releases the heat of the liquefied refrigerant which is at a high temperature.
[0032] The refrigerant pressure sensor 24 detects the pressure of the refrigerant.
[0033] The expansion valve 25 atomizes the liquefied refrigerant and thereby facilitates evaporation.
[0034] The evaporator temperature sensor 21f detects the temperature of the evaporator 21e .
[0035] The temperature control flap and motor unit 21g regulates the air flow rate of the air flowing into the heating device 21h.
[0036] The heating device 21h is connected to a coolant channel (not shown) of the engine 11 via a heating device pipe 27. The heating device 21h releases the heat of the coolant circulating in the coolant channel of the engine 11 to heat the air flowing into the HVAC unit 21.
[0037] As mentioned above, the coolant channel of the engine 11 is connected to the heating device 21h via the heating device pipe 27 and is also connected to a cooler 12 via a coolant pipe 13.
[0038] A motor (ENG) ECU 14 is a controller for performing general control of the motor 11 and includes an input / output device, storage devices (a ROM, a RAM, a non-volatile memory, etc.), a central processing unit (CPU), etc.
[0039] An air conditioning (A / C) ECU 28 is a controller for performing general control of the air conditioning system and, similar to the engine ECU 14, has an input / output device, storage devices, a CPU, etc.
[0040] The input side of the A / C ECU 28 is electrically connected not only to the evaporator temperature sensor 21f, the refrigerant pressure sensor 24, the outside air temperature sensor 31, which detects the outside temperature, and the inside temperature sensor 32, which detects the temperature of the vehicle interior, but also to the climate control operating section 29, which sets a fan speed (airflow rate), a temperature and inside / outside air modes for the climate control, and the ENG ECU 14. The A / C ECU 28 receives the information detected by these various sensors, the setting information of the climate control operating section 29 and an operating state of the engine 11.
[0041] The stepper motor 21b, the blower and motor unit 21c, the temperature control flap and motor unit 21g and the compressor 22 are electrically connected to the output side of the A / C-ECU 28.
[0042] Based on the information acquired by the various sensors, the setting information of the air conditioning operating section 29, and the operating state of the motor 11, the A / C ECU 28 determines the operating contents or parameters of the air conditioning system. The A / C ECU 28 then sends output signals to the stepper motor 21b, the blower and motor unit 21c, the temperature control flap and motor unit 21g, and the compressor 22 to control the opening degrees of the interior / exterior air flap 21a, the blower speeds of the blower and motor unit 21c, the opening degrees of the temperature control flap and motor unit 21g, and the operation of the compressor 22. In this way, the A / C ECU 28 controls the interior temperature.
[0043] The following description relates to the operation and advantages of the air conditioning system according to the invention for a vehicle with an idle-stop function with the configuration described above.
[0044] Fig. 2 shows a graph to illustrate a concept of a blower control according to the invention during an idle-stop state. Fig. 3 shows a graph to illustrate a concept of a control according to the invention of the degree of opening of the interior / exterior air flap during an idle-stop state. Fig. 4 shows a flowchart to illustrate a control program according to the invention for the air conditioning system, which is executed by the A / C ECU 28 during an idle-stop state.
[0045] As shown in Fig. 4, in step S10 a decision is made as to whether an idle stop state has begun. If the decision result is “YES”, i.e., if the idle stop state has begun, the program proceeds to steps S12 and S24, in which two types of processing are carried out in parallel, i.e., the control of the opening degree of the inside / outside air damper and the blower control. If the decision result is “NO”, i.e., if the idle stop state has not begun, the program jumps back to step S10, where a new decision is made. (Control of the opening degree of the indoor / outdoor air flap)
[0046] In step S12, a decision is made as to whether an air supply mode of the air conditioning operating section 29 is an outside air mode. If the decision result is “YES”, i.e., if the outside air mode is activated, the program proceeds to step S14. If the decision result is “NO”, i.e., if the inside air mode is activated, the program proceeds to the return point, from which it terminates.
[0047] In step S14, based on the information from the outside air temperature sensor 31, a decision is made as to whether the outside air temperature Ta is lower than a first predetermined temperature T1 (e.g., 15°C). If the decision result is “YES”, i.e., if If the outside air temperature Ta is lower than the first preset temperature T1, the program proceeds to step S16. In step S16, stepper motor 21b is controlled and the opening degree Δd of the inside / outside air damper 21a is set to a first preset opening degree Δ1 (e.g., 20%). If the decision result is "NO", i.e., if the outside air temperature Ta is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature T1, the program proceeds to step S18.
[0048] The amount of indoor air introduced is increased according to an increase in the degree of opening Δd (0 to 100%) of the indoor / outdoor air damper 21a, and the amount of outdoor air introduced is increased according to a decrease in the degree of opening Δd.
[0049] In step S18, a decision is made as to whether the outside air temperature Ta is greater than or equal to a second predetermined temperature (e.g., 30°C). If the decision result is “YES”, i.e., if the outside air temperature Ta is greater than or equal to the second predetermined temperature T2, the program proceeds to step S20. In step S20, the stepper motor 21b is controlled, and the opening degree Δd of the inside / outside air damper 21a is set to a second predetermined opening degree Δ2 (e.g., 80%). If the decision result is “NO”, i.e., if the outside air temperature Ta is lower than the second predetermined temperature T2, an intersection of the first predetermined temperature T1 and the first predetermined opening degree Δ1, and an intersection of the second predetermined temperature T2 and the second predetermined opening degree Δ2, are linearly interpolated, as shown in Fig. 3.As a result, an opening degree θx, which intersects the outside air temperature Ta, becomes the opening degree θd of the inside / outside air flap 21a. The program then proceeds to step S22, in which the stepper motor 21b is controlled and the opening degree θd of the inside / outside air flap 21a is set to the opening degree θx.
[0050] The degree of opening θx is represented by the following equation: θx = ((θ2 – θ1) / (T2 – T1)) × Ta –(((θ2 – θ1) / (T2 – T1)) × T1 – θ1) (Blower control)
[0051] In step S24, it is decided whether the blower stage is blower stage Lo2 or a higher blower stage. If the If the decision result is "YES," meaning that if the fan speed is Lo2 or higher (e.g., Hi), the program proceeds to step S26. In step S26, the fan speed is set to Lo2. If the decision result is "NO," meaning that if the fan speed is lower than Lo2 (e.g., Lo1), the fan speed remains unchanged.
[0052] When the outside air temperature is low, the embodiment of the air conditioning system according to the invention for a vehicle with an idle-stop function is able to approximate the air supplied to the vehicle interior to the outside air by reducing the opening degree Δd of the interior / outside air flap 21a and thereby increasing the amount of outside air supplied. As a result, fogging of the vehicle windows, which occurs at low outside air temperatures, is prevented, while the heating output is maintained.
[0053] When the outside air temperature is high, the air conditioning system is able to suppress a temperature increase of the air-conditioned air in the vehicle interior by increasing the opening degree Δd of the inside / outside air flap 21a and keeping the amount of outside air introduced low.
[0054] During an idle stop state, the blower stage is set to blower stage Lot or a lower blower stage; in particular, the blower stage is maintained if it is lower than blower stage Lo2 (e.g. Lo1), so that the temperature of the evaporator 21e is prevented from being increased or decreased by outside air.
[0055] The warm outside air flowing through the evaporator 21e is therefore reduced during an idling-stop state in summer by increasing the opening degree Δd of the interior / outside air flap 21a. This allows cold air to be maintained for a longer period during the idling-stop state and extends the duration of the idling-stop state while ensuring adequate comfort. During the idling-stop state in winter, outside air can be introduced by reducing the opening degree Δd of the interior / outside air flap 21a according to the outside air temperature Ta, while reducing the amount of cold outside air flowing through the evaporator 21e. This prevents the vehicle windows from fogging up while maintaining heating performance.
[0056] This concludes the descriptions of the embodiment of the invention. The aspect of the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.
[0057] For example, in the embodiment described above, the temperature control device includes the evaporator 21d, which is integrated into the refrigeration circuit, the temperature being controlled by heat exchange with the refrigerant. However, the temperature control device is not limited to this type. Any temperature control device can be used, provided it operates in response to the activation of motor 11.
[0058] Although in the embodiment described above the indoor / outdoor air flap 21a is actuated using the stepper motor 21b, the indoor / outdoor air flap 21a can also be actuated using a servo motor, while the degree of opening of the indoor / outdoor air flap 21a is monitored by a position measuring device. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION
[0059] This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. The list does not form part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature
[0060] - JP 2001-310618
[0003]
Claims
[1] Air conditioning system for a vehicle with idle-stop function, with: an indoor / outdoor air ratio control device (21a, 21b, 28) for controlling an introduction ratio between indoor and outdoor air, wherein the indoor / outdoor air ratio control device (21a, 21b, 28) is installed in a vehicle with an idle-stop function of an engine (11) and has an indoor / outdoor air flap (21a) for switching indoor and outdoor air, which is arranged in an air conditioning duct that introduces outdoor air from outside a vehicle interior and indoor air from inside the vehicle interior via an indoor air inlet (21j) and an outdoor air inlet (21i), respectively, and discharges the outdoor and indoor air into the vehicle interior via a nozzle (21k), wherein the indoor / outdoor air flap is arranged downstream of the indoor and outdoor air inlet and an indoor / outdoor air flap actuator (21b) for actuating the indoor / outdoor air flap exhibits; an air flow rate control device (21c , 28 ) which is arranged downstream of the indoor / outdoor air ratio control device in the air conditioning duct and regulates an air flow rate of the air to be introduced; a temperature control device (21d, 28) which is arranged downstream of the air flow control device in the air conditioning duct and which controls the temperature of the introduced air in response to activation of the motor; and an outdoor air temperature sensing device (31) for sensing the outdoor air temperature, wherein If the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensing device is lower than a first predetermined temperature while the vehicle is in an idle-stop state, the inside / outside air ratio control device sets the opening degree of the inside / outside air flap to a first predetermined opening degree, causing the proportion of outside air to become higher than that of inside air; If the outside air temperature is greater than or equal to a second predetermined temperature, the indoor / outdoor air ratio control device adjusts the opening degree of the indoor / outdoor air damper to a second predetermined opening degree, causing the proportion of indoor air to become higher than that of outdoor air; If the outside air temperature is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature and lower than the second preset temperature, the indoor / outdoor air ratio control device adjusts the opening degree of the indoor / outdoor air damper to a value between the first preset opening degree and the second preset opening degree, according to the outside temperature; and If the air flow rate is greater than or equal to a predetermined flow rate while the vehicle is in an idle-stop state, the air flow rate control device adjusts the air flow rate to the predetermined flow rate. [2] Air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the temperature control device (21d , 28 ) has an evaporator (21e ) which is integrated in a refrigeration circuit in which a refrigerant circulates, while the refrigerant is compressed by a compressor (22 ) driven by the motor (11 ) and at the same time a phase change of the refrigerant is caused by releasing and absorbing heat and heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air introduced into the air conditioning duct. [3] Air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when the air flow rate is less than the predetermined amount when the vehicle is in the idle-stop state, the air flow rate control device (21c , 28 ) maintains the air flow rate.