METHOD FOR ADJUSTING AND SYNCHRONIZING THE THERMO-ACOUSTIC COMFORT OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for regulating and synchronizing the temperature and sound level generated in different zones of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle by a heating / air conditioning / ventilation system, said method being implemented via an on-board interface available to at least one occupant of a zone of the passenger compartment, characterized in that the interface exchanges with said occupant on his perception of the ambient atmosphere in his zone so that the heating / air conditioning / ventilation system carries out measurements of weighting the sound level by variations in the temperature and ventilation setpoints with a view to locally improving the comfort of the occupant. Abstract figure (Fig. 1)

Description

Title of the invention: METHOD FOR ADJUSTING AND SYNCHRONIZING THERMO-ACOUSTIC COMFORT FROM THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

[0001] The invention relates, in general, to the field of comfort in the passenger compartment of motor vehicles and is more particularly concerned with the technical means made available to the driver and passengers to adjust and synchronize, in a personalized and local manner, the temperature and acoustics in the passenger compartment.

[0002] Today, the majority of motor vehicles are equipped with a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system operating in manual or automatic mode.

[0003] Although its purpose is to establish a comfortable atmosphere inside the vehicle, whatever the circumstances and the wishes of the occupants, such a system necessarily generates parasitic effects such as the appearance of noise and, consequently, a degradation of the ambient acoustic level due, in particular, to phenomena of cavitation of the pulsed air and vibrations in the various air ducts.

[0004] However, these systems are not equipped with means for taking into account the degrees of dissatisfaction or satisfaction felt in the passenger compartment by the occupants of the vehicle with regard to the ambient atmosphere and, in particular, the quality of the acoustics, the temperature level and the ventilation flow rate.

[0005] Under these conditions, there is also no feedback for the team in charge of the overall design of the vehicle enabling it to determine a set of instructions combining and optimizing the temperature, the ventilation flow rate and the noise level of the pulsed air and capable of being transmitted to the air conditioning / heating / ventilation system to optimize the comfort of the passenger compartment.

[0006] Currently, thermal factors are therefore evaluated independently in climatic chambers and / or on open roads while acoustic factors are measured separately in anechoic chambers and are not synchronized with thermal factors in a common experiment.

[0007] Furthermore, the vocabulary associated with acoustic factors is not taken into account in the regulation commands via the voice assistant fitted to certain vehicles.

[0008] Patent application FR3072612A1 describes an air conditioning system which takes into account the physiological parameters of the passengers. However, this system is neither suitable nor intended to collect information relating to the degree of satisfaction of the occupants of the vehicle with regard to the ambient temperature and the level acoustics felt in the passenger compartment. Furthermore, this system does not focus on optimizing passenger comfort in the area of the passenger compartment they occupy.

[0009] In this context, the invention aims to propose a method intended for the regulation and synchronization of thermo-acoustic parameters inside a motor vehicle, via an on-board interface, with a view to optimizing the level of comfort in the passenger compartment according to the wishes of the different people in the vehicle and the area they occupy.

[0010] This aim is achieved, according to the invention, by means of a method for regulating and synchronizing the temperature and the sound level generated in different zones of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle by a heating / air conditioning / ventilation system, said method being implemented via an on-board interface available to at least one occupant of a zone of the passenger compartment, characterized in that the interface exchanges with the occupant on the feeling of the ambient atmosphere in his zone so that the heating / air conditioning / ventilation system carries out weighting measurements of the sound level by variations in the temperature and ventilation setpoints with a view to locally improving the comfort of the occupant.

[0011] According to an advantageous characteristic of the method of the invention, the interface communicates with the occupant interactively and records their responses individually.

[0012] According to another characteristic of the invention, the interface communicates with the occupant about his perception of the temperature and the flow of ventilated air at the level of his different body segments.

[0013] According to yet another characteristic of the method of the invention, the interface exchanges with the occupant on his feeling of at least one of the acoustic parameters chosen from among the sound volume, the sound frequency, the fluctuation of the sound volume.

[0014] According to other characteristics of the method of the invention, the interface exchanges jointly with the occupant on his feeling of the ventilated air flow and on his perception of the origin of the sound source.

[0015] According to a first variant of implementation of the method of the invention, the interface acts on the heating / air conditioning / ventilation system in response to instructions given by the occupant.

[0016] According to a second variant of implementation of the method of the invention, the interface acts on the heating / air conditioning / ventilation system in response to a set of questions asked to the occupant and previously recorded. Preferably, this interface comprises a voice command.

[0017] Another object of the invention is a motor vehicle equipped with a heating / air conditioning / ventilation system and an interface for implementing the method as defined above with a view to optimizing the thermo-acoustic comfort of the passenger compartment.

[0018] Thus, in principle, the invention proposes a method for optimizing, in a selective and personalized manner, the thermo-acoustic comfort of the passenger compartment by weighting, locally and selectively, the sound level by variations in the temperature and ventilation settings according to the wishes expressed by the occupants of the vehicle, driver and / or passengers.

[0019] An on-board human-machine interface is used in a simple and easy manner to communicate with the occupants, record their instructions and control the vehicle's heating / air conditioning / ventilation system by modifying, if necessary, its operating parameters to adapt them to the level of comfort expected locally in the areas of the passenger compartment where the occupants are located.

[0020] The contact elements which provide partial and local heating of the occupant and those of close comfort which provide slower heating, can thus jointly satisfy the demand for thermal performance while ensuring better acoustic performance which offers a good compromise by minimizing noise disturbance.

[0021] In addition, the close comfort and contact elements use less energy and thus contribute to an energy saving. Consequently, the invention is of particular interest for vehicles with electric or hybrid motors which thus gain autonomy following the search for a compromise between the consumption of the heating / air conditioning / ventilation system and the opinions of the vehicle's passengers.

[0022] Consequently, the method of the invention improves the physiological and psychological "well-being" of the vehicle occupants and contributes, in particular for the driver, to more pleasant and safer driving.

[0023] The invention can also find applications in mobile living spaces such as trains, airplanes, public transport or even inside a building and anywhere where it may prove useful to adjust the temperature and ventilation generated by a heating / air conditioning system by optimizing, for comfort and well-being, the sound volume of the system.

[0024] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures, for which:

[0025] [Fig.l] is a diagram representing the links between the thermo-acoustic factors generated by a heating / air conditioning / ventilation system and the feelings of a vehicle occupant.

[0026] [Fig.2] is a graph illustrating a mode of implementation of the regulation method and synchronization according to the invention on which the acoustic volume versus thermo-acoustic comfort is represented.

[0027] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference signs throughout the figures.

[0028] Naturally, the modes of implementation of the method according to the invention illustrated schematically by the figures presented above and described below, are given only as non-limiting examples. It is explicitly provided within the framework of the invention that different modes can be proposed and combined with each other to propose others.

[0029] It is specified that all the characteristics, as they emerge for a person skilled in the art on reading the present description and the figures, even if concretely they have only been described in relation to other determined characteristics, both individually and in any combinations, can be combined with other characteristics or groups of characteristics disclosed here, provided that this has not been expressly excluded or that the technical context makes such combinations impossible or meaningless.

[0030] The invention relates to the general field of comfort in the passenger compartment of motor vehicles and is more particularly concerned with a method intended for the regulation and synchronization of the factors governing the thermo-acoustic atmosphere felt by the occupants inside the passenger compartment with a view to optimizing their comfort.

[0031] The method of the invention essentially relates to the temperature, ventilation and noise level generated in different zones of the vehicle passenger compartment by the heating / air conditioning / ventilation (HVAC) system which can be activated manually or automatically. The method of the invention is intended to be implemented via an on-board interface preferably comprising voice assistance or control, or a tablet which is made available to one or more people sitting in different zones (or rows) of the passenger compartment.

[0032] Generally speaking, this method provides that the interface exchanges with one or each occupant of the passenger compartment (driver or passenger) on their perception of the ambient atmosphere in their zone. Knowledge of this information is managed by the interface which will then control the heating / air conditioning / ventilation system so that it carries out weighting measurements of the sound level by variations in the temperature and ventilation setpoints. These measurements are intended to locally improve comfort in this zone according to the choices expressed by the person consulted.

[0033] More precisely, the interface communicates with the occupant on his perception of at least one of the thermal parameters, in particular, temperature and flow rate of pulsed and ventilated air and on acoustic parameters chosen from among the sound volume, the sound frequency, the fluctuation of the sound volume but also on his perception of the origin of the sound source.

[0034] This “intelligent” and interactive procedure will thus make it possible to personalize the adjustment of the heating / air conditioning / ventilation system by identifying and recording, from the occupant's responses, individualized thermo-acoustic comfort factors.

[0035] This adjustment mode makes it possible to act jointly on several parameters contributing to the ambient atmosphere in the passenger compartment, such as the operating time of the heating / air conditioning / ventilation system, the temperature and pulsed air flow setpoints, but also on the operation of the so-called close-coupled and convective comfort elements (heated seats, ventilated seats, steering wheel, head restraints, etc.).

[0036] These parameters also vary depending on the climatic conditions, the road, the speed of the vehicle, the clothing worn by the occupants, the status of the air vents, the opening of the windows, the presence of sun visors, etc.

[0037] The invention also provides that the interface exchanges with the occupant the temperature and flow rate of the ventilated air flow felt at the level of his different body segments, as described in the example described later.

[0038] As illustrated schematically by [Fig. 1], if an appropriate adjustment R of the HVAC system makes it possible to have a satisfactory ambient air temperature and ventilation and therefore to obtain thermal comfort C1 in the passenger compartment, in parallel, a reduction in the flow rate of pulsed air makes it possible to reduce the sound volume V of the parasitic noise generated by the blower and therefore to improve the acoustic comfort C2, in particular, when the vehicle slows down.

[0039] However, the presence of a slight noise is likely to reassure the occupant as to the activation of the blower so that the suppression of this noise by stopping the blower is not desirable and would also have the consequence of degrading the thermal comfort C1. Thanks to the exchanges between the occupant and the interface, the method of the invention makes it possible to find a global and personalized compromise of thermo-acoustic comfort C between the thermal conditions T and the sound conditions S by adjusting the operating parameters of the HVAC system and the comfort elements close together.

[0040] The graph in [Fig.2] represents the variations in thermo-acoustic comfort as a function of the acoustic volume with, on the right-hand ordinate, the acoustic volume V (in dB), on the left-hand ordinate, the thermo-acoustic comfort level C and on the abscissa the time T (in minutes).

[0041] A first variant of implementation of the method of the invention provides that the interface acts on the heating / air conditioning / ventilation system in response to instructions given by the occupant.

[0042] Another variant of implementation of the method of the invention provides that the interface acts on the heating / air conditioning / ventilation system in response to a set of questions asked to the occupant and previously recorded in digital form, as described in the example below.

[0043] Interface question: When we are stopped, does the noise of the ventilation blower become annoying?

[0044] Possible responses from the occupant: Yes (if the occupant questioned is not cold) or No (if the occupant is cold).

[0045] The resulting actions commanded by the interface to the HVAC system are then as follows:

[0046] To the answer Yes: the flow of pulsed air emitted by the HVAC is reduced to adjust the acoustic inconvenience with the modified air temperature and maintain thermal comfort (either via the HVAC or via nearby comfort elements).

[0047] To the answer No: the HVAC setting remains unchanged.

[0048] Other more general questions can be asked by the on-board interface to which the occupant can provide qualitative or possibly quantitative answers (by means of cursors on a tablet). These questions are for example of the type:

[0049] How do you feel about thermal comfort?

[0050] What is your perception of the airflow rate?

[0051] How is your acoustic comfort?

[0052] How do you find the volume of the HVAC system?

[0053] What is your feeling of sound frequency?

[0054] What is your perception of the fluctuation of sound volume?

[0055] Other questions posed by the interface may concern thermal or acoustic sensations at a body segment or sub-segment of the occupant.

[0056] The occupant then submits the responses to the interface and, if necessary, the interface moves on to additional questions concerning other segments or other sensations or goes on hold. Following these exchanges, the occupant's responses are recorded and a personalized thermo-acoustic profile is saved in the interface's memory.

[0057] The preferred body segments are: head, face, neck, shoulders, forearms, torso, stomach, shoulder blades, lumbar region, hands, legs, feet, ...

[0058] The location of the sound source perceived by the occupant is, in particular and by default: the windshield defrosting or demisting nozzle, the central diffuser or vent, the side vents, the air outlets at the occupants' feet, the dashboard, the vents of the ventilation system, the engine fan, the humming of the engine itself, etc.

[0059] Where appropriate, and at regular intervals, the interface may invite the driver and passengers to:

[0060] adapt the position of the aerators,

[0061] adjust the position of the sun visors,

[0062] separate from an accessory or remove an item of clothing,

[0063] adapt the body position,

[0064] take note of the alert status of the driver and other passengers,

[0065] take note of comments made by the driver and passengers about the thermo-acoustic atmosphere.

[0066] It is also possible to provide that when taking possession of the vehicle, the owner is assisted by an operator (garage mechanic, branch sales agent, or any other authorized person) to respond to the questionnaire proposed by the on-board interface in order to establish one or more thermo-acoustic profiles.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for regulating and synchronizing the temperature and sound level generated in different zones of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle by a heating / air conditioning / ventilation system, said method being implemented via an on-board interface available to at least one occupant of a zone of the passenger compartment, the interface exchanging with said occupant on the perception of the ambient atmosphere in his zone such that the heating / air conditioning / ventilation system performs weighting measurements of the sound level by variations in the temperature and ventilation setpoints with a view to locally improving the comfort of the occupant, characterized in that the interface exchanges with the occupant on his perception of the origin of the sound source.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the interface exchanges with the occupant interactively and records their responses individually.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interface exchanges with the occupant on his perception of the temperature and the flow of ventilated air at the level of his different body segments.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interface exchanges with the occupant on his feeling of at least one of the acoustic parameters chosen from the sound volume, the sound frequency, the fluctuation of the sound volume.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interface exchanges with the occupant on his feeling of the ventilated air flow.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interface acts on the heating / air conditioning / ventilation system in response to instructions given by the occupant.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interface acts on the heating / air conditioning / ventilation system in response to a set of questions asked to the occupant and previously recorded.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interface comprises a voice command.

9. Motor vehicle equipped with a heating / air conditioning / ventilation system and an interface for implementing the method according to one of the preceding claims with a view to optimizing the thermo-acoustic comfort of the passenger compartment.

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