METHOD FOR HEATING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF AN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates, on the one hand, to a device for heating the passenger compartment of an autonomously driven vehicle equipped with seats (S) formed, respectively, of a seat (A), a backrest (D) and a headrest (T) whose angular, horizontal and vertical positions are adjustable, characterized in that it comprises at least one heat source (C) integrated into the roof (P) and intended to diffuse adjustable thermal radiation in the direction of the seats when these are oriented in a substantially horizontal and raised manner to allow passengers to lie down in a reclining position and, on the other hand, to an associated heating method. Abstract figure: Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: METHOD FOR HEATING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF AN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE

[0001] The invention relates, in general, to the field of thermal comfort of motor vehicles and is more particularly concerned with a method of heating the passenger compartment of autonomously driven vehicles.

[0002] Existing vehicles are equipped with a heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) system intended to establish predetermined air temperatures in the passenger compartment to provide thermal comfort to the vehicle's occupants.

[0003] In the presence of outside air considered to be cold (below a temperature lower than 15°C), so-called “close comfort” elements (also called ECE) are activated to supplement or replace the HVAC system and heat the direct environment of the occupants as close as possible to their bodies.

[0004] These close-coupled comfort elements are generally functional components already present in the passenger compartment which are further provided with heating means (for example, Joule effect resistors). These elements are, in particular, a heated steering wheel, heated seats and / or heated headrests (or neck warmers), heated armrests, heated trim panels located on the doors and / or in the footwell.

[0005] The use of these close-spaced comfort elements makes it possible to reduce the energy consumption of the HVAC system, which is intended to heat the entire volume of air in the passenger compartment (i.e. several m3) and therefore to reduce the overall electrical energy consumption of the vehicle. Consequently, these elements have the advantage of increasing the autonomy of electrically powered vehicles.

[0006] However, these close comfort elements are not currently found on all surfaces of the vehicle interior, so that the heating of the ambient air may prove insufficient.

[0007] However, this defect is critical for autonomous driving vehicles and, in particular, for those belonging to the level 4 and higher categories (also called "brain off" and "driver off") which no longer require the intervention of a person to ensure the driving of the vehicle. In this configuration, the space surrounding the place previously dedicated to the driver in the passenger compartment can be significantly increased so that he feels more comfortable and can carry out different activities.

[0008] The release of the driver's space is generally accompanied by significant changes to the layout of the passenger compartment. Thus, it is possible to remove the steering wheel from under the dashboard, to remove the pedals in the footwell in order to to be able to extend the legs, by moving the seat back or by vertically pivoting the backrest to provide a lying position for the front passengers (in the absence of a rear passenger). At the same time, the central console is erased and the driver's seat is pivoted to face the front passenger seat in lounge mode.

[0009] However, in such a configuration and in cold climates, passengers no longer benefit from optimal thermal comfort, especially if the seats are moved back and their backs are tilted sharply backward to provide a means of sleeping.

[0010] The invention consisted of seeking a solution to provide optimal thermal comfort to the occupants of an electric vehicle whose level 4 autonomy mode is activated or deactivated while seeking to preserve the autonomy of this vehicle.

[0011] Patent US11772706B2 describes a system for radiant heating of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle from the roof with an intensity differentiated by zones of the passenger compartment.

[0012] However, the use of a roof area as a source of heat radiating into the passenger compartment is not suitable for a conventional vehicle because the proximity between the roof and the heads of the seated passengers generates overheating and discomfort. Under these conditions, it cannot be envisaged to take advantage of the largest potential surface area of ​​the passenger compartment to integrate heating elements for close comfort without adapting the structural layout of the passenger compartment.

[0013] Furthermore, for an autonomous vehicle, when the seat backs are folded down, the roof area is then, in this case, too far from the passengers in the lying position, which does not allow optimal thermal comfort to be obtained, in particular, in the presence of a cold climate and at night.

[0014] In this context, the invention sought a simple and effective technical solution intended to resolve the problems raised by known heating devices and methods and, in particular, to achieve optimal thermal comfort in the passenger compartment of motor vehicles in autonomous driving mode of level 4 and higher when the passengers are in a lying position.

[0015] This object is achieved, according to the invention, by means of a device for heating the passenger compartment of an autonomously driven vehicle equipped with seats formed, respectively, of a seat, a backrest and a headrest whose angular, horizontal and vertical positions are adjustable, characterized in that it comprises at least one heat source integrated into the roof and intended to diffuse adjustable thermal radiation in the direction of the seats when these are oriented in a substantially horizontal and raised manner to allow passengers to lie down in a reclining position.

[0016] According to an advantageous variant embodiment of the heating device of the invention, the heat source comprises several heating elements producing different temperatures depending on the relative position of the seats.

[0017] Preferably, the heat source comprises three heating elements producing temperatures respectively decreasing from the seat to the backrest and to the headrest.

[0018] According to an advantageous characteristic of the heating device of the invention, the heat source is connected and supplied by the electrical circuit of the vehicle.

[0019] Another object of the invention is a method for heating the passenger compartment of an autonomous vehicle by means of a device as defined above, characterized in that the temperature diffused by the heat source is adjusted so as to take into account the need for thermal comfort of the different parts of the passengers' bodies.

[0020] Preferably, the temperature diffused by the heat source is adjusted according to the height of the seat and the inclinations of the backrest and the headrest.

[0021] According to a first specific embodiment of the heating method of the invention, the temperature diffused by the heat source varies between at least 30°C with respect to the headrest and at most 80°C at the lowest end of the seat.

[0022] According to another embodiment of the heating method of the invention, the heat source is activated automatically if the vehicle is in autonomous driving mode of level 4 or higher with the seats in the raised and reclined position and if the outside temperature is below 15°C.

[0023] Advantageously, the activation and adjustment of the heat source are carried out jointly with the adjustment of the position and orientation of the seats in order to optimize the thermal comfort of the passengers.

[0024] Yet another object of the invention is an autonomously driven motor vehicle equipped with a device as defined above for heating the passenger compartment.

[0025] In its most general aspect, the invention proposes an intelligent and ergonomic device and method providing an improved technical solution to the problem of thermal comfort for passengers in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle in a level 4 or higher autonomous driving situation.

[0026] However, the heating device and method of the invention can also be applied to an autonomous vehicle of level less than 4 when stationary or to a conventional vehicle with an electric motor in which the interior layout allows the diffusion of heat from the roof without generating discomfort for the passengers.

[0027] Thanks to the selective heating mode offered by the device of the invention, the physiological needs of the different parts of the passengers' bodies are satisfied, in particular when they are in a lying position.

[0028] Finally, the device of the invention can be installed on the roof of autonomously driven electric vehicles, benefiting from a large heat radiation surface while preserving their autonomy.

[0029] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures, for which:

[0030] [Fig.l] is a schematic side view of the passenger compartment of an autonomously driven motor vehicle in a level 4 or higher situation during the initial phase of adjusting the position of the driver's seat.

[0031] [Fig.2] is a schematic side view of the passenger compartment of [Fig.l] during the phase adjustment of the orientation of the driver's seat backrest.

[0032] [Fig.3] is a schematic side view of the passenger compartment of [Fig.l] during the phase next driver's seat height adjustment.

[0033] [Fig.4] is a schematic side view of the passenger compartment of [Fig.l] when put into implementation of the heating method of the invention with a passenger in a lying position on the driver's seat.

[0034] Naturally, the embodiment of the heating device of the invention described below and illustrated by the figures is given only as a non-limiting example. It is explicitly provided within the scope of the invention that different modes can be proposed and combined with each other to propose others.

[0035] The invention relates to the general field of heating motor vehicles and is more particularly concerned with the thermal comfort of the passenger compartment of autonomously driven vehicles.

[0036] Autonomous driving vehicles belonging to categories level 4 and above (also called "brain off" and "driver off") no longer require the intervention of a person to ensure the driving of the vehicle. In this configuration, the space surrounding the place previously dedicated to the driver in the passenger compartment and, where appropriate, also that of the other passengers, can be significantly increased for the exercise of different activities.

[0037] Thus, the freeing up of the driver's space is generally accompanied by significant changes to the layout of the passenger compartment. These modifications may include, in particular, the removal of the steering wheel V under the dashboard, the removal of the pedals in the footwell in order to be able to extend the legs, the movement back of the seat S, as illustrated in [Fig.l], the vertical tilting of the backrest D with its headrest T, as illustrated in [Fig.2] and the vertical displacement of the seat A, as illustrated in [Fig.3]. Alternatively, the central console may be removed and the driver's seat pivoted to face the front passenger seat in lounge mode.

[0038] These adaptations of the angular, horizontal and vertical positions of the different parts of the seat S also make it possible to offer a lying position for the front passengers (in the absence of a rear passenger).

[0039] However, in such a configuration and when the outside temperature is cold, passengers no longer benefit from optimal thermal comfort, especially when lying down and at night.

[0040] The invention aims to improve the thermal comfort of passengers in a such a configuration by integrating a heat source C in the roof P of the vehicle. This heat source diffuses adjustable thermal radiation towards the seats S when these are oriented in a substantially horizontal and raised manner and therefore immediately opposite the passengers lying on their seats, thus forming a berth, as illustrated by [Fig.4].

[0041] The heat source C is preferably powered by the vehicle's electrical circuit and comprises several heating elements and here three elements C1, C2, C3. These three elements produce different temperatures depending on their position relative to the seat S and therefore to the passenger. In the variant shown here in the figures, the heating elements C1, C2 and C3 produce temperatures which decrease respectively from the seat A to the backrest D and to the headrest T.

[0042] The heating method of the invention consists of adjusting the temperature diffused by the elements C1, C2 and C3 of the heat source C so as to take into account the need for thermal comfort of the different parts of the body of the passengers lying on the seats S.

[0043] More precisely, the temperatures diffused by each of the elements of the heat source C are adjusted as a function of the height of the seat A and the inclinations of the backrest D and the headrest T and therefore of the distance separating the roof P from the different parts of the body. These temperatures vary between 30°C and 40°C for the element C1 located opposite the headrest and up to at most 80°C for the element C3 located opposite the lowest part of the seat A where the passenger's feet are located, requiring a higher temperature. An average value of 60°C is provided for the element C2 located opposite the backrest D on which the passenger's back or torso rests. In the case where the inclination of the backrest D is low, the temperature diffused by the element Cl in the area of ​​the headrest T will be 30°C instead of 40°C if the backrest D extends in the horizontal plane because the head is then further away from the roof.

[0044] Advantageously, the activation and adjustment of the heat source C are carried out jointly with the adjustment of the position and orientation of the seats S in order to optimize the thermal comfort of the passengers. This adjustment is preferably controlled by outside air and ambient air temperature sensors in the passenger compartment associated with software, where appropriate, taking into account the wishes of the passengers.

[0045] The heat source C is activated automatically if the vehicle is in autonomous driving mode of level 4 or higher with the seats S in the raised and reclined position and if the outside temperature is lower than 15°C. However, it is also possible, according to an alternative implementation of the method of the invention, to provide that the activation of the heat source is controlled directly by the passengers.

Claims

Claims

1. Device for heating the passenger compartment of an autonomously driven vehicle equipped with seats (S) formed, respectively, of a seat (A), a backrest (D) and a headrest (T) whose angular, horizontal and vertical positions are adjustable, characterized in that it comprises at least one heat source (C) integrated into the roof (P) and intended to diffuse adjustable thermal radiation in the direction of the seats when these are oriented in a substantially horizontal and raised manner to allow passengers to lie down in a reclining position.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said heat source (C) comprises several heating elements producing different temperatures depending on the relative position of the seats (S).

3. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said heat source (C) comprises three heating elements (Cl, C2, C3) producing temperatures respectively decreasing from the seat (A) to the backrest (D) and to the headrest (T).

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat source (C) is connected and supplied by the electrical circuit of the vehicle.

5. Method for heating the passenger compartment of an autonomous vehicle by means of a device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the temperature diffused by the heat source (C) is adjusted so as to take into account the need for thermal comfort of the different parts of the passengers' bodies.

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the temperature diffused by the heat source (C) is adjusted as a function of the height of the seat (A) and the inclinations of the backrest (D) and the headrest (T).

7. Method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the temperature diffused by the heat source (C) varies between at least 30°C with respect to the headrest (T) and at most 80°C at the lowest end of the seat (A).

8. Method according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the heat source (C) is activated automatically if the vehicle is in autonomous driving mode of level 4 or higher with the seats (S) in the raised and reclined position and if the outside temperature is in- below 15°C.

9. Method according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the activation and adjustment of the heat source (C) are carried out jointly with the adjustment of the position and orientation of the seats (S) in order to optimize the thermal comfort of the passengers.

10. Self-driving motor vehicle equipped with a passenger compartment heating device according to one of claims 1 to 4.

Images