Ventilation system for a vehicle

Abstract

Ventilation system for a vehicle for actively adjusting the direction (r1, r2) and / or the type of concentration (k1, k2) of the airflow from air outlet openings into the vehicle interior, with a control unit (SE) which, depending on a predefined ventilation request, controls air guide elements (LLE1, LLE2) of the air outlet openings that influence the direction (r1, r2) and / or the type of concentration (k1, k2) of the airflow, wherein a ventilation sequence (BA1, BA2, BA3, BA4, BA5, BA6, BA7) with at least two successive different direction requirements and / or types of airflow concentration can be specified as a ventilation request, and the control unit (SE) initiates the active adjustment (r1, k1, r2, k2) depending on the predefined ventilation sequence (BA1, BA2, BA3, BA4, BA5, BA6, BA7), characterized in that the ventilation system is equipped with a sensor system (K) is connected to the detection of the head position (kp) of a vehicle occupant,and the control unit (SE), depending on a predetermined ventilation sequence (BA1, BA2, BA3, BA4, BA5, BA6, BA7) which is dependent on the head position (kp) of the occupant, controls air guide elements (LLE1, LLE2) of the air outlet openings that influence the direction (r1, r2) and / or the type of concentration (k1, k2) of the airflow in such a way that the predetermined ventilation sequence (BA1, BA2, BA3, BA4, BA5, BA6, BA7) is set in relation to the detected head position (kp) of the occupant.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a ventilation system for a vehicle for actively adjusting the direction and / or type of concentration of the airflow from air outlet openings into the vehicle interior according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Currently, most vehicles have air vents through which a temperature-controlled airflow, adjusted according to the occupants' needs, enters the vehicle interior. These air vents typically feature a mechanical adjustment mechanism to control the volume and direction of the airflow into the interior, which can be manually adjusted by the driver or other occupants.

[0003] Furthermore, air outlet openings are already known in which at least the direction of the airflow is motor-adjustable. For example, DE 10 2011 003 432 A1 discloses a ventilation system for a vehicle in which the type of concentration and / or the direction of the air jet can be specified via a touchpad, and the air guide elements are adjusted motor-driven accordingly. The driver can predefine the areas to be ventilated or select specific ventilation programs (e.g., head ventilation only, torso ventilation only, legs ventilation only).

[0004] From DE 10 2012 021 519 A1, a method for adjusting the ventilation of a motor vehicle interior is known, comprising the following steps: selecting an airflow area in the interior on a display and control unit; and controlling at least one variably adjustable air outlet so that it directs an airflow onto the selected airflow area.

[0005] The object of the invention is now to provide a ventilation system for vehicles which allows the vehicle occupants to easily adjust the ventilation further and thus significantly increases the comfort for the vehicle occupants.

[0006] This problem is solved according to the invention by a ventilation system according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0007] The invention is based on a generally known ventilation system for a vehicle for actively adjusting the direction and / or concentration (e.g., diffuse or concentrated airflow) of the airflow from air outlets into the vehicle interior. A control unit controls the air guide elements of the air outlets, which influence the direction and / or concentration of the airflow, according to a predetermined ventilation requirement. The term "active adjustment" refers to any type of non-manual adjustment, i.e., adjustment initiated by the control unit. In particular, this can involve motorized adjustment.

[0008] The invention is based on the understanding that the driver does not always desire a constant setting of the air guide elements over an extended period. Rather, the driver may prefer a non-constant ventilation characteristic, at least in certain situations, for example, in extreme heat or during long journeys. Based on this, the ventilation system according to the invention is characterized by the fact that a ventilation sequence (i.e., a non-constant ventilation characteristic) can be specified as the desired ventilation setting, and the control unit initiates the active or motorized adjustment of the air guide elements depending on the specified ventilation sequence. A ventilation sequence is understood to mean a non-constant ventilation characteristic with at least two successive different directional requirements and / or types of airflow concentration.The ventilation direction and / or concentration are changed continuously (or sequentially) during the implementation of the ventilation sequence defined as the desired ventilation process. Additionally or alternatively, the speed of the change in direction can also be specified and, if necessary, changed during a ventilation sequence.

[0009] Advantageously, the control unit initiates a continuous repetition of the specified ventilation sequence, i.e., after reaching the last setting of the ventilation sequence, it starts again with the first setting of the ventilation sequence and this ventilation sequence is repeated accordingly.

[0010] Advantageously, the ventilation sequence can be predefined in various ways. According to one alternative, at least one ventilation sequence can be stored as a predefined ventilation program in a memory unit. This sequence can be selected by the driver via a corresponding control unit or automatically upon detection of predefined selection criteria. For example, a ventilation sequence predefined as a so-called refresh function can be automatically activated when it is detected that the driver is tired. Similarly, a predefined ventilation sequence can be used as a cooling function over time. This function would initially provide the occupants with direct fresh air at the start of a journey in a very hot vehicle, and then switch to draft-free indirect ventilation once a desired interior temperature is reached.Corresponding program sequences can also be represented for the warm-up phase.

[0011] Alternatively or additionally, the driver can specify a completely individual ventilation sequence, depending on which the control unit initiates corresponding active or motor settings.

[0012] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the ventilation sequence relevant for the active settings can also be predefined by a unit not permanently attached to the vehicle. For example, a ventilation sequence can be selected or individually created on a mobile device (e.g., a smartphone or tablet) using a corresponding app, which can then be transferred to the control unit in the vehicle. The control unit can then initiate the active settings.

[0013] To easily specify the ventilation sequence, the ventilation system can be connected to a display unit. This unit can show a graphic representation of the head or another body part of at least one vehicle occupant and illustrate the ventilation sequence in relation to that representation. This allows the selected ventilation sequence to be displayed clearly for the vehicle occupant. Ideally, the direction of airflow should be indicated by a line. If the airflow concentration also needs to be changed during the ventilation sequence, this can be represented by varying line thickness, circles of different diameters, or other display elements.Additionally or alternatively, a predetermined ventilation sequence can also be represented by a short film sequence, which illustrates the different successive orientations of the ventilation and / or types of airflow concentration.

[0014] To create or select a ventilation sequence, the ventilation system can also be connected to a touch-sensitive display / control unit (e.g., touchpad), where a graphic representation of the head or another body part of at least one vehicle occupant can be displayed. By touching the touch-sensitive display / control unit, the user can draw the desired direction of the ventilation sequence and, if necessary, additionally mark those points where a different airflow concentration than the default setting is desired.

[0015] To achieve optimal implementation of a predefined ventilation sequence related to a specific body part of the vehicle occupant, the ventilation system is further connected to sensors that detect the head or relevant body part position of the vehicle occupant. With the head or body part position known, the control unit can then, depending on the predefined ventilation sequence (which is dependent on the occupant's head or body part position), control the air guide elements of the air outlets that influence the direction and / or concentration of the airflow in such a way that the predefined ventilation sequence is adjusted in relation to the detected head or body part position of the occupant.

[0016] The invention will now be explained in more detail using the following exemplary embodiments. Fig. 1 a simplified structure of a ventilation system according to the invention, Fig. 2 a first example of a predefinable ventilation sequence, Fig. 3 a second example of a predefinable ventilation sequence, Fig. 4 a third example of a predefinable ventilation sequence, Fig. 5 a fourth example of a predefinable ventilation sequence, Fig. 6 a fifth example of a predefinable ventilation sequence, Fig. 7 a sixth example of a predefinable ventilation sequence and Fig. 8 a seventh example of a predefinable ventilation sequence.

[0017] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a control unit SE as the central element of the ventilation device, within which is a storage unit Sp in which various ventilation sequences P1 and P2 are pre-stored. Additionally, the storage unit Sp includes two further memory locations, Pindv1 and Pindv2, for the temporary storage of ventilation sequences created individually by the user.

[0018] The control unit SE further includes a computing unit R, which, depending on a ventilation sequence specified by the driver or automatically, sends corresponding control signals r1 and k1 to a first motor M1 to initiate the settings of air guide elements LLE1 of a first air outlet opening that are relevant for the ventilation sequence, and control signals r2 and k2 to a second motor M2 to initiate the settings of air guide elements LLE2 of a second air outlet opening that are relevant for the ventilation sequence.

[0019] Furthermore, the control unit SE is connected to a camera sensor K for detecting the driver's head position kp, with the camera sensor K sending the relevant data about the driver's head position kp to the control unit SE. The control unit SE is also connected to a driver fatigue detection unit mE, with the fatigue detection unit mE sending a corresponding signal m to the control unit SE when driver fatigue is detected.

[0020] Finally, there is a data exchange possibility between the control unit SE of the ventilation system and a first display-control unit ABE integrated in the vehicle and between the control unit SE and a tablet T not permanently connected to the vehicle, whereby the data exchange between the control unit SE and the vehicle's internal display-control unit ABE can take place via a communication line, and between the control unit SE and the tablet T via radio, Bluetooth or in another way.

[0021] The vehicle's integrated display and control unit ABE comprises a display A1 and at least two control elements, BE11 and BE12. The first control element, BE12, allows the selection and pre-setting of a vehicle-stored automatic program P for a ventilation sequence. For example, the individual automatic programs P1 and P2 can be accessed by repeatedly pressing this first control element, BE11. Depending on the currently selected automatic program, P1 or P2, a corresponding display is generated on the A1 screen, showing the driver how the pre-programmed ventilation sequence is configured. Once the user has selected an automatic program, they can confirm it, for example, by pressing and holding control element BE11, which transmits a corresponding signal to the control unit SE.

[0022] By activating the second control element BE12, the driver can indicate that they wish to generate and specify a ventilation sequence according to their own preferences. For this purpose, the display A1 first shows, for example, the driver's head position kp, and then gives the driver the opportunity to specify the desired ventilation sequence in relation to this head position kp.

[0023] Analogous to this first display / control unit, a tablet T, which is connected to the control unit SE via a wireless data connection, can also be used to select or specify a preset automatic program P using a (virtual) first control element BE21 located on the tablet, or to create and specify an individual ventilation sequence Pindv by activating the second control element BE22. The display A2 serves to show the different ventilation sequences.

[0024] Depending on the ventilation sequence P1, P2, Pindv1 or Pindv2 selected by the driver, the control unit SE uses the two motors M1 and M2 to adjust the direction and / or concentration of the airflow from the two air outlets. Additionally, the control unit SE evaluates the signal m from the fatigue detection unit mE and automatically starts a ventilation sequence stored as a refresh program as soon as a corresponding signal m from the unit mE is received.

[0025] The following description, in conjunction with the respective figures, illustrates various ventilation processes.

[0026] This shows Fig. 2 of a first ventilation sequence BA1 in relation to the driver's head position kp. This ventilation sequence is designed such that the air outlet openings located to the right and left of the driver, or their air guide elements, are controlled in such a way that the air is blown out "row by row" from top to bottom until the end is reached. Then the ventilation sequence starts again from the beginning at the respective starting point.

[0027] Unlike in Fig. The ventilation process BA1 shown in diagram 2 illustrates the Fig. 3 a ventilation flow BA2, the end of which is not located at the bottom edge, but which then runs backwards along the lines to the respective starting point.

[0028] The ventilation process BA3 of the Fig. 4 differs from the ventilation process according to Fig. 2 by the fact that the paths of the right and left air outlet openings are not mirror images, but parallel.

[0029] At the in Fig. The ventilation sequence BA4 shown in Figure 5 is a so-called refresh function, which is automatically activated, for example, when it detects that the driver is tired. First, a sporty air stream is generated from the outside to the center of the face, and then, starting from this spot air stream, it is sequentially changed to a diffuse air stream until finally the entire face is being blown.

[0030] The ventilation process BA5 of the Fig. 6 shows a similar progression to that in Fig. 2, however, the facial area remains unaffected. The BA6 ventilation process of the Fig. Figure 7 shows an identical directional pattern as in Fig. 6, however, in the upper area a fast control (each marked by the 3 arrows) and only in the lower (body) area a slow control takes place.

[0031] Finally, the Fig.8 Another example of an individually generated ventilation sequence BA7, in which circular ventilation is to be generated around the occupant's head.

[0032] The invention described here makes it possible to ensure, in a simple and cost-effective manner, that an optimal ventilation characteristic can be implemented that meets the requirements of the vehicle occupant.

Claims

[1] Ventilation system for a vehicle for actively adjusting the direction (r1, r2) and / or the type of concentration (k1, k2) of the airflow from air outlet openings into the vehicle interior, comprising a control unit (SE) which, depending on a specified ventilation request, controls air guide elements (LLE1, LLE2) of the air outlet openings that influence the direction (r1, r2) and / or the type of concentration (k1, k2) of the airflow, wherein a ventilation sequence (BA1, BA2, BA3, BA4, BA5, BA6, BA7) with at least two successive different direction requirements and / or types of airflow concentration can be specified as a ventilation request, and the control unit (SE) initiates the active adjustment (r1, k1, r2, k2) depending on the specified ventilation sequence (BA1, BA2, BA3, BA4, BA5, BA6, BA7). characterized by, that the ventilation system is connected to a sensor (K) for detecting the head position (kp) of a vehicle occupant, and the control unit (SE) controls the direction (r1, r2) and / or the type of concentration (k1, k2) of the air outlet openings in relation to a predetermined ventilation sequence (BA1, BA2, BA3, BA4, BA5, BA6, BA7) dependent on the head position (kp) of the occupant, such that the predetermined ventilation sequence (BA1, BA2, BA3, BA4, BA5, BA6, BA7) is set in relation to the detected head position (kp) of the occupant. [2] Ventilation system according to claim 1, characterized by , that the control unit (SE) causes the ventilation sequence (BA1, BA2, BA3, BA4, BA5, BA6, BA7) to be repeated continuously. [3] Ventilation system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that at least one ventilation sequence (BA1, BA2, BA3, BA4, BA5, BA6, BA7) is stored as a predefined program (P1, P2) which can be selected / predefined by the driver or automatically. [4] Ventilation system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one individual ventilation sequence (Pindv1, Pindv2) can be specified by the driver. [5] Ventilation system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the ventilation sequence (BA1, BA2, BA3, BA4, BA5, BA6, BA7) can be predefined by means of a display control unit (T) not permanently connected to the vehicle and that the predefined ventilation sequence (BA1, BA2, BA3, BA4, BA5, BA6, BA7) can be transferred to the control unit (SE) in the vehicle. [6] Ventilation system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the ventilation system is connected to a display control unit (ABE, T), wherein a graphic representation of the head (KO) of at least one vehicle occupant and a ventilation sequence (BA1, BA2, BA3, BA4, BA5, BA6, BA7) in relation to the representation of the head (KO) can be displayed on a display (A1, A2). [7] Ventilation system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the ventilation system is connected to a touch-sensitive display control unit (T), wherein a graphic representation of the head (KO) of at least one vehicle occupant can be displayed on the display control unit (T) and a ventilation sequence (BA1, BA2, BA3, BA4, BA5, BA6, BA7) in relation to the representation of the head (KO) can be displayed on the touch-sensitive display control unit (T) by touching the touch-sensitive display control unit (T) along a desired ventilation sequence direction.

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