Method and temperature control system for targeted, demand-based temperature control of occupant contact surfaces in a motor vehicle and a correspondingly equipped motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (4 20) for temperature-controlling an interior component (3, 4, 23) of a motor vehicle (1). Based on sensor data from an interior sensor system (15), contact surfaces (5, 7, 11, 23) requiring temperature control are identified where contact with an occupant (13) actually or is expected to occur. If a comparison of the temperature of the contact surfaces (5, 7, 11, 23) to be controlled with a predetermined target temperature reveals a deviation, the contact surfaces (5, 7, 11, 23) are selectively controlled by a temperature control device (6, 8, 12, 16) of the motor vehicle (1) to achieve the target temperature. The invention also relates to a temperature control system (19) configured for the method and a motor vehicle (1) equipped therewith.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a temperature control system for controlling the temperature of at least one interior component of a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a correspondingly equipped motor vehicle.

[0002] Depending on the season or weather conditions, temperatures inside a vehicle can vary considerably. For example, a car seat can heat up significantly in summer due to high outside temperatures and direct sunlight, and cool down considerably in winter due to very low outside temperatures. This can lead to impaired passenger comfort due to excessively high or low temperatures. Against this backdrop, various approaches to regulating the temperature of a vehicle interior already exist, such as air conditioning systems or seat temperature control systems.

[0003] For example, US patent 2006 / 0175877A1 describes a ventilation, temperature control, and comfort system for a vehicle seat. This system incorporates a ventilation layer within the seat cushion, allowing airflow and featuring multiple outlet holes on one side of the seat surface. A temperature control system is also included to generate the airflow. This system can be controlled by a control module to maintain a predetermined temperature on the seat surface.

[0004] As another example, CN 210 652 781 U describes a heating device for a vehicle seat with a heating mechanism and a temperature sensor integrated into a cushion part.

[0005] However, existing air conditioning and temperature control solutions are often inefficient and / or uncomfortable. For example, they can require significant energy to regulate the temperature of a vehicle's interior and / or involve considerable effort for manual operation or control. Therefore, there is a need for further improvements.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to enable a particularly efficient improvement in passenger comfort in a motor vehicle.

[0007] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further possible embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims, the description, and the figures. Features, advantages, and possible embodiments set forth in the description for one of the subject matter of the independent claims are to be regarded, at least analogously, as features, advantages, and possible embodiments of the respective subject matter of the other independent claims, as well as of any possible combination of the subject matter of the independent claims, optionally in conjunction with one or more of the dependent claims.

[0008] The method according to the invention can be used to temper at least one interior component or area of ​​a motor vehicle that is intended for direct contact with an occupant, particularly during driving. This can include, for example, usable, operating, or support surfaces, or gripping or holding areas, such as user-side surfaces of a seat or seating system, an armrest or arm support, or a control element such as a steering wheel, and / or the like. In contrast, other parts or areas of the interior, such as an interior door panel, a headliner, an instrument panel, or the back of a seat or seating system, and / or the like, may not be intended for occupant contact.

[0009] In one step of the inventive process, the interior of the vehicle is detected using interior sensors. Based on the sensor data acquired by these interior sensors, contact surfaces of at least one interior component that require temperature control are identified. These surfaces are those where contact with an occupant actually occurs or is expected to occur—for example, during a current or anticipated use or journey of the vehicle. This can be achieved, for instance, by determining whether an occupant or an object, such as a child seat, luggage, or other cargo, is located in the area of ​​the at least one interior component. The position, in particular the pose, or even the type of such objects (occupants or objects) can be determined.If no object is located in the area of ​​the interior fitting or on or near its potential contact surfaces, and the vehicle is expected to be used or driven imminently, contact can be assumed as a precaution. If no object is located in the area of ​​the interior fitting or on or near its potential contact surfaces, and the vehicle is currently being used or driven, it can be assumed that there is no contact with an occupant, either currently or, for example, during the current use or drive. Depending on the situation, the contact surfaces to be temperature-controlled can be areas or sections of at least one interior fitting where contact is actually and / or likely to occur.Direct contact, particularly direct skin contact, with an occupant is likely or may occur, for example, during the intended or usual use of the vehicle or at least one interior component by an occupant. If a vehicle occupant is located in the area of ​​the interior component, it can be assumed, depending on the situation or other relevant data, that contact with the occupant will occur or may occur on one, several, or all potential contact surfaces of the corresponding interior component, thus classifying it as a contact surface requiring temperature control.

[0010] Additional data can be taken into account here, such as learned behavioral or usage patterns, calendar entries, navigation data, travel planning data and / or the like.

[0011] In particular, only those surfaces or areas can be considered as contact surfaces, i.e., those where, during normal or intended use, there is prolonged contact with an occupant. This could mean, for example, contact lasting more than 10 seconds or similar durations. Accordingly, areas that are only touched briefly or accidentally, such as when an occupant briefly leans on them to maintain balance, are not considered contact surfaces.

[0012] The interior sensor system can include one or more sensors, or a device for evaluating or processing data or signals from one or more sensors.

[0013] In a further step of the inventive process, the current temperature, in particular the current surface temperature, of the identified contact surfaces to be tempered is determined using temperature sensors in the vehicle. This actual temperature is then compared with a predetermined target temperature. This target temperature can be, for example, a specific temperature or a temperature range. The target temperature can be predefined by the manufacturer or set by a user of the vehicle. Therefore, determining the actual temperatures of potential contact surfaces that have not been identified or classified as requiring tempering, or comparing the actual temperatures of such non-tempered contact surfaces with the target temperature, is unnecessary.

[0014] In a further step of the inventive process, if the respective temperature deviates from the respective target temperature, in particular by at least a predetermined minimum deviation, the contact surfaces to be tempered are selectively tempered, i.e., heated or cooled, by means of a temperature control device of the motor vehicle in order to reach or set the respective target temperature. In particular, only the contact surfaces to be tempered, but not any other contact surfaces that are not to be tempered, can be tempered.

[0015] Selective temperature control of the contact surfaces to be tempered can mean that the corresponding temperature control effect is generated or achieved only in specific areas, i.e., selectively or at least primarily at the contact surfaces to be tempered. This can be achieved, for example, by controlling a temperature control or ventilation device integrated into the respective interior component—such as a fan, heating element, cooling element, or the like—to temper the contact surfaces of that component. Similarly, to selectively temper a contact surface, an airflow generated by the vehicle's interior ventilation or air conditioning system can be directed or oriented onto the contact surface to be tempered.For example, appropriate air guidance elements or air outlets or the like can be aligned or adjusted accordingly.

[0016] In contrast, for example, opening a window or operating an indoor ventilation or air conditioning system without appropriately directing or guiding the generated airflow onto a contact surface to be tempered may constitute a non-specific tempering measure and therefore may not be considered selective tempering of a contact surface to be tempered within the meaning of the present invention.

[0017] The present invention enables a dynamic, i.e., situation-adapted, determination of those areas, i.e., the contact surfaces to be cooled, whose temperature control is particularly relevant for passenger comfort. By selectively cooling precisely these, and in particular only these, areas or contact surfaces, a particularly fast, effective, and efficient temperature control, i.e., temperature change, can be achieved. For example, available cooling power can be focused on the contact surfaces to be cooled and / or energy expenditure for cooling other areas or parts of the vehicle or the interior can be saved. The present invention is based on the understanding that a passenger's temperature perception can be more intense during direct contact and thus particularly relevant or decisive for passenger comfort. In extreme cases, for example, cooling would only be effective at specific points or...Contact surfaces with direct contact between an occupant and an interior component pose a risk of burns or hypothermia. The present invention can also contribute to improved occupant comfort by automating the described temperature control of the contact surfaces, thus eliminating the need for manual temperature control, and / or by enabling pre-temperature control, which is described in more detail elsewhere. Likewise, the increased efficiency and / or reduced energy consumption can contribute to user comfort by enabling the greatest possible range, for example, of a battery-electric vehicle.

[0018] It may be provided that only leather surfaces or areas are considered or eligible as contact surfaces within the meaning of the present invention, or, for example, that leather contact surfaces are given priority in temperature control, i.e., classified as priority contact surfaces, for instance, over textile surfaces. Prioritization may mean, for example, that priority contact surfaces are tempered first and / or that a disproportionately large amount of tempering power is used or made available for tempering priority contact surfaces. This is based on the understanding that leather contact surfaces are often perceived as warmer when the actual temperature is above the target temperature and often as colder when the actual temperature is below the target temperature than textile contact surfaces exhibiting the same actual temperature.Leather contact surfaces can be or include both contact surfaces made of natural leather and contact surfaces made of synthetic leather.

[0019] In one possible embodiment of the present invention, potential contact surfaces where a movable object detected by the interior sensors is located are classified as not requiring temperature control. A movable object can be an object that is not a fixed component of the vehicle's interior. Thus, in determining the contact surfaces to be temperature controlled, particularly by means of the interior sensors, movable objects can be detected in the interior or in the area of ​​at least one interior component or its potential contact surfaces. Surfaces occupied or covered by such an object can then be excluded as contact surfaces requiring temperature control or disregarded when determining the contact surfaces to be temperature controlled.For example, if a child safety seat is detected on a vehicle seat, the seat surface underneath can be classified as not requiring temperature control and therefore will not be automatically temperature-controlled, regardless of its temperature. However, when using such a child safety seat, the child may still come into contact with the seat back. Accordingly, the corresponding backrest surface can then be classified or identified as a contact surface requiring temperature control, or at least considered as a potential contact surface. If a piece of luggage, such as a travel bag, is detected as a movable object on a vehicle seat, the seat surface it occupies can also be excluded as a contact surface requiring temperature control, i.e., classified as not requiring temperature control.In this case, the backrest surface of the seat can also be classified as not requiring temperature control, and therefore cannot be identified as a contact surface requiring temperature control. This is because it cannot be assumed that an occupant will be sitting on the piece of luggage. Therefore, not only the presence and position of a movable object can be detected and taken into account, but also, in particular, its nature, type, or function. The embodiment of the present invention proposed here can enable a particularly precise, reliable, and situation-adapted determination of the contact surfaces requiring temperature control.

[0020] In a further possible embodiment of the present invention, only those surfaces or areas of the at least one interior part are identified or classified as contact surfaces to be heated where direct skin contact with an occupant actually occurs or is likely to occur or may occur. Direct contact in the sense described above can also exist, for example, if the occupant only touches the respective contact surface with their clothing. In contrast, in the direct skin contact considered here, there is no other material, in particular no article of clothing, between the respective contact surface and the skin of the respective occupant.With such direct skin contact, compared to contact with clothing (i.e., in a clothed area of ​​the occupant), the occupant's temperature perception, and thus the effect of a deviation of the respective contact surface from the target temperature, can be more pronounced. By focusing on these skin contact areas—that is, areas where direct skin contact with an occupant occurs or is likely to occur—a particularly rapid and / or efficient improvement in occupant comfort can be achieved.

[0021] To determine skin contact areas, relevant specifications and / or weather data describing the weather conditions in the vicinity of the vehicle, and / or sensor data from the interior sensors, can be considered. For example, according to a relevant specification, a contact surface or part of a contact surface intended for contact with an occupant's buttocks may not be classified as a skin contact surface. Contact surfaces intended for contact with an occupant's arms or legs may be classified as skin contact surfaces or not, depending on the ambient temperature. For example, a contact surface may be classified as a skin contact surface if the ambient temperature meets at least a specified minimum temperature.This is based on the understanding that it must be assumed that occupants may wear correspondingly short clothing, i.e., clothing that does not cover the arms or legs. In a corresponding further development of the present invention, the actual or anticipated clothing condition of actual or anticipated occupants of the motor vehicle can therefore be determined, i.e., ascertained, estimated, or predicted. Based on this, the contact surfaces where direct skin contact with an occupant actually or is likely to occur can then be determined. For example, it can be detected, particularly using interior sensors, whether a current occupant is wearing shorts or long trousers, a short or long skirt, and / or a sleeveless, short-sleeved, or long-sleeved top, and / or gloves.Similarly, the type of clothing, or at least one outer garment, or the likely thermal insulation effect of the clothing of at least one occupant can be determined or estimated and taken into account. For example, if shorts are detected, a corresponding seating area where contact with the occupant's legs occurs or may occur can be classified as a skin contact area. If, on the other hand, a winter jacket, down jacket, or similar garment is detected, an area that actually or is likely to come into contact with it, such as a seat back, can be classified as not requiring temperature control or as a contact area requiring temperature control, since no excessive heat flow through the down jacket is to be expected.

[0022] It may be stipulated here that only skin contact surfaces are heated or that skin contact surfaces are given priority for heating.

[0023] The proposed design and further development of the present invention can enable a particularly fast and / or efficient improvement in passenger comfort.

[0024] In a further possible embodiment of the present invention, an infrared sensor is used as the temperature sensor, thereby determining or measuring the surface temperature of the contact surfaces to be tempered. Such an infrared sensor can be, for example, a thermal imaging camera, an infrared thermometer, or the like. This allows for a direct and therefore particularly accurate determination of the actual surface temperature of the respective contact surface, which is especially relevant for temperature perception and thus occupant comfort. This enables a particularly precise response to the situation actually relevant to the occupants, thereby improving occupant comfort in a particularly efficient and effective manner. This can be seen, for example, in contrast to determining the temperature of the contact surfaces using temperature sensors integrated into at least one interior component.Such integrated, i.e., internal, temperature sensors can potentially deliver erroneous temperature readings, meaning they deviate from the actual surface temperature. This can occur, for example, if heat from one part of the interior component preferentially dissipates through another surface with lower thermal resistance, rather than through the contact surface, or if the contact surface is already significantly heated, for example, by direct sunlight, while the interior of the component has not yet heated up to the same extent.

[0025] In a further possible embodiment of the present invention, the anticipated start of a journey is automatically determined. The determination and temperature control of the contact surfaces to be tempered is then initiated or carried out even before the determined start of the journey, in particular before an occupant enters the vehicle for the anticipated journey. In other words, automatic pre-tempering of the contact surfaces can be performed. The anticipated start of the journey can be determined or estimated, for example, by an automated comparison with a calendar of one or more users of the vehicle and / or with a learned usage pattern of the vehicle and / or by means of an automatic determination of driving requirements. Likewise, the determination or...Estimating the likely start of a journey requires considering the vehicle's current position and / or operating status. For example, if the vehicle is parked in a commercial establishment, such as a shop, service provider, kindergarten, school, or the workplace of a vehicle user, the imminent start of the journey can be determined. In particular, the vehicle's expected arrival time at its current location can also be taken into account. Similarly, it can be considered whether the vehicle is at a charging station or charging point, i.e., currently being charged. The likely start of the journey can then be derived, for example, by considering the state of charge, the remaining charging time, a current navigation destination, and / or other relevant factors.

[0026] The pre-tempering system proposed here can prevent an uncomfortable temperature experience for occupants during or immediately after boarding, thus ultimately enabling a particularly high level of occupant comfort.

[0027] Similarly, it can be stipulated that if no journey begins at the predicted start time or within a specified time window around the predicted start time, or if no passenger enters the vehicle, the temperature control is automatically terminated. Likewise, the temperature control can then continue for a predetermined second period, initially at a reduced intensity or efficiency. This allows, for example, a predetermined deviation from the target temperature. The temperature control can then be terminated only after the predetermined second period has elapsed, provided no passenger has entered the vehicle or no journey has commenced by then. This limits the energy expenditure for temperature control that is ultimately unnecessary.This can prevent, for example, excessive battery discharge or excessive range loss in a battery-electric vehicle due to pre-heating.

[0028] In a further possible embodiment of the present invention, the method is carried out continuously, i.e., repeatedly or regularly, during the use or driving of the motor vehicle. In other words, the contact surfaces to be cooled can be continuously identified and their temperature determined during driving, compared with the respective target temperature, and, if necessary, adjusted accordingly. This allows, for example, a response to changes occurring during use or driving. For instance, the contact surfaces to be cooled may change during use or driving. This could be the case, for example, if an occupant changes their seat within the motor vehicle and / or their clothing, i.e., removes a previously worn jacket or puts on a previously unworn one, or the like.The embodiment of the present invention proposed here can enable a particularly high level of situation-adapted, i.e., dynamic, passenger comfort even while driving. This also allows for particularly high energy efficiency, since only the relevant or required contact surfaces are actually heated, even when the situation changes.

[0029] In a further possible embodiment of the present invention, the remaining time until the anticipated end of a journey, i.e., until the vehicle reaches its destination, is automatically determined, estimated, or predicted. For this purpose, the vehicle's current position and the distance from that position to the current—actual or at least anticipated—destination can be used as the basis for determining the remaining time. The destination can be determined, for example, using navigation data, current route guidance, or a preset destination in a navigation system. Alternatively, the destination can be estimated based on calendar entries, appointment data, learned behavioral or usage patterns, or similar factors.In the embodiment of the present invention proposed here, the temperature control of the identified contact surfaces can only be initiated or carried out if the remaining time corresponds to at least a predetermined minimum duration and / or if at least a predetermined temperature change of the contact surfaces to be temperature-controlled can be expected to be achieved within the remaining time. Otherwise, a corresponding temperature control device can remain deactivated, for example, during the current journey. This saves energy if no significant temperature control effect is expected. This enables high operational efficiency, such as a particularly long range for a battery-electric vehicle, without significant loss of comfort.Alternatively, in the embodiment of the present invention proposed here, if the remaining time is shorter than the specified minimum time and / or it is not expected that at least one specified temperature change of all contact surfaces to be tempered can be achieved within the remaining time, only priority contact surfaces determined according to at least one specified criterion can be tempered, or only the tempering of these priority contact surfaces can be started. Priority contact surfaces can, for example, be contact surfaces where direct skin contact actually occurs or is expected to occur – for example, with at least one specified minimum probability or with the highest probabilities of all identified contact surfaces to be tempered.Similarly, contact surfaces can be classified as priority contact surfaces if their actual temperature deviates from the respective target temperature by at least a predetermined amount and / or if their actual temperature is higher than a predetermined maximum temperature or lower than a predetermined minimum temperature. The embodiment of the present invention proposed here can enable an overall improvement in the efficiency of the motor vehicle based on the understanding that, for short distances, it may not be worthwhile to initiate or attempt to temperature-control the contact surfaces or at least all contact surfaces that nominally require temperature control.

[0030] The present invention also relates to a temperature control system for a motor vehicle. The temperature control system according to the invention has at least one input interface for acquiring or receiving input data and a data processing unit for processing the respective input data to determine the contact surfaces to be temperature-controlled of at least one interior component and for correspondingly controlling at least one temperature control unit for temperature-controlling the contact surfaces to be temperature-controlled. According to the invention, the temperature control system is configured to execute the method according to the invention, in particular automatically or semi-automatically. For this purpose, the temperature control system, in particular its data processing unit, can, for example, comprise a process unit, such as a microchip, microprocessor, microcontroller, or the like, and a computer-readable data storage device coupled thereto.This data storage device can then contain a corresponding operating or computer program that encodes or implements the process steps, measures, or sequences described in connection with the method according to the invention, or corresponding control instructions. This operating or computer program can then be executed by means of the process equipment to carry out the corresponding method or to cause its execution. The temperature control system according to the invention can include some or all of the devices and / or features mentioned in connection with the method according to the invention. For example, the temperature control system can include the indoor temperature sensors and / or the temperature sensors and / or the temperature control device, or at least a part of the temperature control device.

[0031] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle equipped with the temperature control system according to the invention. The motor vehicle according to the invention can therefore be configured to carry out the method according to the invention, in particular automatically or semi-automatically. In particular, the motor vehicle according to the invention can be the motor vehicle mentioned in connection with the method according to the invention and / or in connection with the temperature control system according to the invention, or correspond to it.

[0032] Further features of the invention may become apparent from the following description of the figures and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features shown below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures themselves, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0033] The drawing shows in: Fig. 1. A partial schematic representation of a motor vehicle equipped for efficient contact surface temperature control; and Fig. 2 an exemplary schematic flow chart for a corresponding procedure for controlling the contact surface temperature.

[0034] With a focus on user satisfaction and individualized settings in vehicles, as well as in light of global warming, temperature control, particularly of leather components, can be significant for the user experience and passenger comfort. This is because, depending on the season, there can be significant temperature differences between materials and the ideal temperature for vehicle occupants. To address this issue, an automated temperature control system for interior vehicle components is proposed.

[0035] This shows Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a motor vehicle 1 with an interior 2, which, by way of example, contains a driver's seat 3 and a passenger seat 4. The driver's seat 3 has a seat surface 5 with an integrated seat surface temperature control unit 6. Furthermore, the driver's seat 3 has a backrest surface 7 with an integrated backrest temperature control unit 8. The seat surface temperature control unit 6 for temperature control of the seat surface 5 and the backrest temperature control unit 8 for temperature control of the backrest surface 7 can be operated or controlled independently of each other. Similarly, the passenger seat 4 has a seat surface 9 with an integrated passenger seat surface temperature control unit 10 and a backrest surface 11 with an integrated backrest temperature control unit 12.Here too, the passenger seat surface temperature control device 10 for temperature control of the passenger seat surface 9 and the passenger backrest temperature control device 12 for temperature control of the passenger backrest surface 11 can be operated or controlled independently of each other.

[0036] In the example shown here, there may actually be, or be expected to be for an upcoming journey, a driver 13 in the driver's seat 3 and a child seat shell 14 in the passenger seat 4.

[0037] The vehicle 1 also features interior sensors 15, an air conditioning system 16 for discharging tempered air through air outlets 17 into the interior 2, and a temperature control system 19. The temperature control system 19 is schematically represented here by an interface 20, a processor 21, and a data storage device 22. The temperature control system 19 can be connected via the interface 20, for example, to the temperature control devices 6, 8, 10, and 12 of the driver's seat 3 and the passenger's seat 4, to the interior sensors 15, and to the air conditioning system 16.

[0038] Furthermore, the vehicle 1 also features a temperature-controlled steering wheel 23. For the sake of clarity, an integrated temperature control device for the steering wheel 23 is not explicitly shown here. However, such an integrated temperature control device can also be connected to or controlled by the temperature control system 19 via the interface 20.

[0039] To illustrate the functioning of the temperature control system 19, the following is shown: Fig. 2 an exemplary schematic flow chart 24 for a corresponding procedure for contact surface temperature control.

[0040] In process step S1, input data is acquired by the temperature control system 19. This input data can include, for example, sensor data from the interior sensors 15, which can indicate or characterize the occupancy of the seats, in this example, the driver's seat 3 and the passenger seat 4 of the vehicle 1, by persons and / or objects. This sensor data can be, for example, camera data from an interior camera of the interior sensors 15 and / or sensor data from seat occupancy sensors of the interior sensors 15. Likewise, the input data can be, for example, data on the expected start and / or end of a journey and / or the expected duration of a journey and / or weather data and / or user profile data, which, for example, indicate desired, i.e., user-specified, target temperatures for contact surfaces within the interior 2, and / or similar data.

[0041] In process step S2, the temperature control system 19 processes the acquired input data to determine the contact surfaces requiring temperature control. Potential contact surfaces could include, for example, the driver's seat surface 5, the driver's backrest surface 7, the passenger's seat surface 9, the passenger's backrest surface 11, and an outer surface of the steering wheel 23. However, only those contact surfaces that actually or foreseeably require temperature control are identified or classified as requiring temperature control because contact with a vehicle occupant actually or foreseeably occurs or will occur there. In the example presented here, these could be the driver's seat surface 5, the driver's backrest surface 7, the passenger's backrest surface 11, and the surface of the steering wheel 23.The passenger seat surface 9, however, is not classified as a contact surface to be tempered, since it is occupied by the child seat shell 14 and therefore there can be no direct contact with an occupant.

[0042] Similarly, for example, seat and backrest surfaces of seats in motor vehicle 1 that are actually and / or are expected to be unoccupied, or for example, related or associated other potential contact surfaces, such as armrests or handles or the like, can be classified as not requiring temperature control.

[0043] In process step S3, the temperatures, in particular surface temperatures, of the identified contact surfaces to be tempered are determined. For this purpose, the corresponding contact surfaces can be detected, for example, using a thermal imaging camera or an infrared sensor from the indoor sensor system 15.

[0044] In process step S4, the temperature control system 19 checks whether the actual temperatures of the contact surfaces to be temperature-controlled correspond to their specified target temperatures or, for example, to the target temperatures recorded as part of the input data. If this is the case, the process can jump to process step S1 and continue from there. However, if a deviation of the actual temperature of at least one contact surface to be temperature-controlled from its target temperature is detected in process step S4, the process can continue in process step S5.

[0045] In process step S5, the temperature control system 19 can check whether temperature control of the contact surfaces to be cooled is worthwhile, i.e., whether a significant change in the actual temperatures towards the respective target temperatures can be achieved within the expected driving time. Parameters such as the magnitude of the deviation, the air temperature in the interior 2, the ambient temperature, the available cooling capacity, the expected driving time, and / or similar factors can be taken into account. If it is determined that temperature control is not promising, i.e., not worthwhile, the process can skip to process step S1 and continue from there.If, however, it is determined in process step S5 that temperature control of the contact surfaces to be temperature-controlled is useful, i.e., possible to a significant extent during the intended driving time, the process can be continued in a process step S6.

[0046] In process step S6, the temperature control system 19 can regulate the identified contact surfaces to be cooled or control corresponding temperature control devices to set the respective target temperature. Here, the temperature control system 19 can, for example, control the driver's seat surface temperature control device 6, the driver's seat backrest temperature control device 8, the passenger seat backrest temperature control device 12, and the steering wheel temperature control device 23. Additionally, or alternatively, or for example, if the vehicle 1 is not equipped with these temperature control devices, the temperature control system 19 can, for example, control the air conditioning system 16 or directly the air outlets 17 to cool one or more of the contact surfaces to be cooled, in order to selectively apply a correspondingly cooled airflow to the respective contact surface(s).In addition, the temperature control system 19 can perform or initiate further, non-specific temperature control measures. This can, for example, mean or include the discharge of appropriately tempered air from the air outlets 17 by means of the air conditioning system 16, if this is not required for the targeted temperature control of at least one contact surface to be tempered, and / or the automatic opening of windows, for example side windows or a roof window of the motor vehicle 1.

[0047] During or after the temperature control process, the procedure can jump back to process step S1 and continue from there. If, in a subsequent iteration of the procedure, it turns out that a temperature control device is active for temperature control of a contact surface that was no longer identified or classified as a contact surface to be temperature controlled in the current iteration, the corresponding temperature control can be stopped, i.e., the corresponding temperature control device or its power supply can be deactivated.

[0048] Depending on the situation, i.e., depending on the direction of the deviation of an actual temperature from the corresponding target temperature, tempering can mean or include heating or cooling.

[0049] Overall, the examples described show how selective temperature control or pre-temperature control of relevant contact surfaces in a vehicle can be implemented and applied using temperature detection and vehicle interior sensors to increase passenger comfort and customer satisfaction. Reference symbol list 1 motor vehicle 2 Interior 3 Driver's seat 4 passenger seat 5 Driver's seat area 6 Driver's seat surface temperature control unit 7 Driver's seat back area 8 Driver's seatback temperature control unit 9 Passenger seat area 10 Passenger seat surface temperature control unit 11 Passenger seatback area 12 Passenger seatback temperature control 13 drivers 14 child car seat shell 15 Interior sensors 16 Air conditioning system 17 air outlets 18 Navigation system 19 Temperature control system 20 interface 21 processor 22 Data storage 23 Steering wheel 24 Schedule S1-S6 process steps QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 2006 / 0 175 877 A1

[0003] CN 210 652 781 U

[0004]

Claims

[1] Method (24) for temperature-controlling at least one interior fitting (3, 4, 23) of a motor vehicle (1) intended for direct contact with an occupant (13) of the motor vehicle (1), wherein automatically - by means of an interior sensor system (15) of the motor vehicle (1) the interior of the motor vehicle (1) is detected and, based on sensor data from the interior sensor system (15), contact surfaces (5, 7, 11, 23) of the at least one interior fitting (3, 4, 23) to be tempered, on which contact with an occupant (13) actually or is expected to occur, are determined, - by means of a temperature sensor (15) of the motor vehicle (1) the current temperature of the identified contact surfaces (5, 7, 11, 23) to be tempered is determined and compared with a predetermined target temperature, - if the respective specific temperature deviates from the target temperature, the contact surfaces (5, 7, 11, 23) to be tempered will be selectively tempered by means of a tempering device (6, 8, 10, 12, 16) of the motor vehicle (1) in order to reach the target temperature. [2] Method (24) according to claim 1, characterized by , that potential contact surfaces (5, 7, 9, 11, 23) on which a moving object (14) detected by means of the interior sensor system (15) is located are classified as not requiring temperature control. [3] Method (24) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that only such surfaces (5, 7, 9, 11, 23) of at least one interior fitting (3, 4, 23) are identified as contact surfaces (5, 7, 11, 23) to be tempered, where there is actual or expected direct skin contact with an occupant (13). [4] Method (24) according to claim 3, characterized by, that the clothing condition of occupants (13) of the motor vehicle (1) is determined and, based on this, the contact surfaces (5, 7, 11, 23) on which direct skin contact with an occupant (13) actually or is expected to occur are identified. [5] Method (24) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that an infrared sensor is used as the temperature sensor (15) and thus the current temperature of the contact surfaces (5, 7, 11, 23) to be tempered, in particular their surface temperature, is determined. [6] Method (24) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a likely imminent start of the journey is determined and the determination and temperature control of the contact surfaces (5, 7, 11, 23) to be tempered has already begun before the start of the journey, in particular before an occupant (13) enters the motor vehicle (1) for the likely imminent journey. [7] Method (24) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the procedure (24) is carried out continuously during the journey of the motor vehicle (1). [8] Method (24) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a remaining time until an expected end of the journey is determined and - only if the remaining time corresponds to at least a specified minimum time and / or if at least a specified temperature change of the contact surfaces (5, 7, 11, 23) to be tempered can be expected to be achieved within the remaining time, the contact surfaces (5, 7, 11, 23) to be tempered are tempered, or - then, if the remaining time is shorter than the specified minimum time and / or it is not expected that at least one specified temperature change of all contact surfaces to be tempered (5, 7, 11, 23) can be achieved within the remaining time, only priority contact surfaces determined according to at least one specified criterion are tempered. [9] Temperature control system (19) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising an input interface (20) for acquiring input data, a data processing device (21, 22) for processing the input data to determine contact surfaces (5, 7, 11, 23) of at least one interior fitting (3, 4, 23) to be temperature controlled and to correspondingly control at least one temperature control device (6, 8, 10, 12, 16) to temperature control the determined contact surfaces (5, 7, 11, 23), wherein the temperature control system (19) is configured to carry out the method (24) according to one of the preceding claims. [10] Motor vehicle (1) comprising a temperature control system (19) according to claim 9.

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