AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLE AND ASSOCIATED AIR CONDITIONING METHOD

Abstract

This automatic air conditioning system (5) for a motor vehicle comprises an air blower (7), air distribution flaps (8), a compressor (9), an air conditioning computer (6) capable of controlling the air blower (7), the flaps (8) and the compressor (9). It further comprises an ADAS front driving camera (2) and a human-machine interface computer (11) which communicates with the air conditioning computer (6). The automatic air conditioning system (5) comprises a data transmission member (O4) serving as a communication path between the front camera (2) and the air conditioning computer (6), this transmission member being capable of transporting data relating to the air conditioning identified by the front camera (2) to the air conditioning computer (6). Figure for the abstract: Fig 3

Description

Title of the invention: AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLE AND ASSOCIATED AIR CONDITIONING METHOD Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the automatic control of functions implemented on board a motor vehicle. In particular, the invention relates to an automatic air conditioning system for a motor vehicle.

[0002] The invention also relates to an automatic air conditioning method for a motor vehicle.

[0003] An air conditioning system works with several data in order to regulate the temperature in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The data used are, for example, the power of the solar radiation, the temperature of the windshield or the ambient humidity. These data provide important indications on the temperature and humidity of the air in the vehicle. In particular, the temperature of the windshield makes it possible to identify the risks of fogging, the power of the solar radiation makes it possible to adjust the cooling or heating of the vehicle and the ambient humidity makes it possible to guarantee the comfort of the vehicle's occupants.

[0004] Today, automatic air conditioning systems receive solar radiation, windshield temperature and ambient humidity data from a so-called rain and light sensor, called a RLS ("Rain Light Sensor"), stuck to the windshield inside the vehicle.

[0005] The RLS sensor comprises several unit sensors, namely a rain intensity level sensor, an ambient brightness sensor, a windshield temperature sensor, a solar radiation power sensor and a humidity sensor. The unit rain intensity level sensor makes it possible to adjust the timing of the windshield wipers in automatic mode, and the unit ambient brightness sensor makes it possible in particular to activate the daytime running lights.

[0006] The RLS sensor is complicated to implement because it must satisfy the constraints of each unit sensor. It must be placed in the wiped area of ​​the windshield in order to meet the expectations of the windshield wiper adjustment and must not be placed at the level of the demister friezes at the risk of disturbing the humidity sensor. It must also be hidden from the eyes of the vehicle occupants and must above all not obstruct the driver's visibility.

[0007] On certain vehicle models including, for example, an opposing windscreen wiper, i.e. with a centered and symmetrical arrangement, the RLS sensor must be placed in the lower part of the windshield because the wiping area is not high enough to accommodate the RLS sensor without disturbing the driver. On the other hand, the demister strips located in the lower part of the windshield interfere with the humidity sensor. Vehicles with antagonistic wiping therefore include two RLS sensors, a first sensor placed in the lower part of the windshield containing the unit sensors for the rain intensity level and ambient light and a second sensor placed in the upper part of the windshield containing the unit sensors used by the automatic air conditioning.

[0008] [Fig.l] illustrates the electronic architecture of an air conditioning system using data from the RLS sensor. The air conditioning system comprises an air conditioning computer for controlling the air blower, the air distribution flaps and the air conditioning compressor, an RLS sensor and an RLS sensor computer, a human-machine interface and its computer, an outside temperature sensor and an outside temperature sensor computer, and a front-facing AD AS driving camera which is not used for the air conditioning system.

[0009] In [Fig.l], data transfers are carried out via data transmission devices located in particular between the RLS sensor computer and the air conditioning computer, between the human-machine interface computer and the air conditioning computer and between the outside temperature sensor computer and the air conditioning computer. The air conditioning system operates with an Ethernet network and / or a control area network (called CAN) for the majority of its components. On the other hand, the RLS sensor operates with a local interconnected network (called LIN).

[0010] When the air conditioning computer has retrieved the air conditioning data from the RLS sensor computer, the outside temperature sensor computer and the human-machine interface computer, it can proceed with the air conditioning settings. In particular, the air conditioning computer adjusts the air blower, the air distribution flaps and the air conditioning compressor in order to regulate the temperature and humidity of the ambient air in the vehicle.

[0011] This configuration nevertheless entails additional costs, including the necessary equipment as well as the assembly and maintenance of said equipment. Statement of the invention

[0012] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned problems and, in particular, to facilitate the integration of an automatic air conditioning system in a motor vehicle.

[0013] The invention therefore relates to an automatic air conditioning system for a motor vehicle, comprising an air blower, air distribution flaps, a compressor, an air conditioning computer capable of controlling the air blower, the flaps and the compressor, the system further comprising a front driving camera AD AS, and a human-machine interface computer which communicates with the air conditioning computer. The air conditioning system comprises a data transmission member serving as a communication channel between the front camera and the air conditioning computer, the data transmission member being capable of transporting data relating to the air conditioning identified by the front camera to the air conditioning computer.

[0014] Advantageously, the data relating to air conditioning include an external solar radiation rate, an external humidity rate and an indication of the temperature of the vehicle's windshield.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the air conditioning system comprises an outside temperature sensor, an outside temperature sensor computer and a data transmission member which transmits the data from the outside temperature sensor computer to the air conditioning computer.

[0016] Advantageously, the air conditioning system comprises a presence detector in the vehicle, a safety computer which recovers the data from the presence detector, and a data transmission member which transmits the data from the safety computer to the air conditioning computer.

[0017] According to one embodiment, communications between the components of said air conditioning system are carried out via an Ethernet and / or CAN network.

[0018] Advantageously, the AD AS front driving camera is capable of analyzing detected meteorological images to deliver data relating to air conditioning.

[0019] The invention also relates to an automatic air conditioning method for a motor vehicle, implemented by an automatic air conditioning system as defined above.

[0020] The automatic air conditioning method comprises the following steps: - acquisition by the front camera of meteorological images; - processing of acquired meteorological images by the front camera, - generation of air conditioning data by the front camera; - transmission of air conditioning data from the camera front to the air conditioning computer via a data transmission device; - automatic air conditioning of the vehicle.

[0021] Advantageously, the front camera processes the weather conditions observed on the acquired weather images in order to generate data relating to air conditioning.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the weather conditions observed on the weather images include outdoor sunshine, outdoor frost rate and the intensity of outdoor rain and / or fog.

[0023] Optionally, the air conditioning system is capable of triggering automatic defrosting of the windshield according to the exterior frost level detected by the ADAS front driving camera.

[0024] Advantageously, the air conditioning data generated by the front camera includes an external solar radiation rate, an external humidity rate and an indication of the temperature of the vehicle's windshield. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0026] - [Fig.l] is a schematic view of the architecture of an air conditioning system automatic using an RLS sensor;

[0027] - [Fig.2] is a schematic view of a vehicle windshield comprising a RLS sensor and an ADAS front driving camera; and

[0028] - [Fig.3] is a schematic view of the architecture of an air conditioning system automatic using an ADAS front driving camera. Detailed description

[0029] In [Fig. 2], the windshield 1 of a motor vehicle is shown, which comprises an ADAS front driving camera 2, an RLS sensor 3 and a wiping zone 4 of the conventional windshield. The illustrated motor vehicle comprises an automatic air conditioning system 5.

[0030] The GSR2 regulation ("General Safety Regulation 2") makes the use of the ADAS 2 front driving camera mandatory for all types of vehicles in Europe from 2024. The ADAS 2 front driving camera detects images outside the vehicle in order to assist the driver with various vehicle functions. It is notably used for automatic emergency braking (known as AEB) by detecting potential collisions on the images, and to warn of potential lane departures of the vehicle with the lane departure warning function (known as LDW) and lane keeping assistance (known as LKA). In addition, the ADAS 2 front driving camera is used in adaptive cruise control (known as ACC) and in the recognition of road signs.

[0031] The AD AS 2 front driving camera has a view of the area in front of the vehicle and is traditionally installed at the top of the windshield 1. It is capable of detecting meteorological images and analyzing them to transmit data to the vehicle and the driver to improve driving.

[0032] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 2], the RLS sensor 3 is located at the top of the windshield 1, below the front driving camera AD AS 2 and in the wiping zone 4 of the windshield. The RLS sensor 3 here comprises a unitary rain intensity level sensor and a unitary ambient brightness sensor. The two unitary sensors of the RLS sensor 3 assist in the automatic wiping of the windshield and the adjustment of the daytime running lights. The wiping zone 4 of the windshield 1 represents the area of ​​the windshield 1 wiped by the windshield wipers.

[0033] [Fig. 3] illustrates the electronic architecture of the automatic air conditioning system 5. The air conditioning system 5 uses the data from the front driving camera AD AS 2 and does not use data from the RLS sensor 3 since the latter no longer detects data relating to the automatic air conditioning.

[0034] The automatic air conditioning system 5 therefore comprises an air conditioning computer 6, an air blower 7, air distribution flaps 8 and an air conditioning compressor 9. The air conditioning system 5 also comprises a human-machine interface 10, a human-machine interface computer 11, an outside temperature sensor 12, an outside temperature sensor computer 13, a presence detector 14, a safety computer 15 and a front driving camera AD AS 2.

[0035] The air conditioning computer 6 makes it possible to control the air blower 7, the air distribution flaps 8 and the air conditioning compressor 9.

[0036] In [Fig. 3], data transfers are carried out via data transmission members. A first data transmission member 01 is located between the human-machine interface computer 11 and the air conditioning computer 6, a second data transmission member 02 is located between the outside temperature sensor computer 13 and the air conditioning computer 6, a third data transmission member 03 is located between the safety computer 15 and the air conditioning computer 6 and a fourth data transmission member 04 is located between the front driving camera AD AS 2 and the air conditioning computer 6.

[0037] The data transmission members 01, 02, 03, 04 transport data from one electronic component to another. In particular, data relating to air conditioning are transported from the safety computer 15, the human-machine interface computer 11, the outside temperature sensor computer 13 and the front camera 2 to the air conditioning computer 6.

[0038] Each computer 6, 11, 13, 15 makes it possible to recover and analyze the data from the corresponding electronic component.

[0039] The human-machine interface 10 allows the driver and / or passengers to adjust certain functions manually, such as the speed of the air blower 16, the air temperature 17, switching on the air conditioning 18, demisting the vehicle 19 and defrosting the windshield 20. When a person on board the vehicle adjusts functions using the human-machine interface 10, the computer of the human-machine interface 11 retrieves the adjustments made and analyzes them in order to send data relating to the air conditioning to the air conditioning computer 6 via the first data transmission member 01.

[0040] The outside temperature sensor 12 detects the temperature outside the vehicle and the outside temperature sensor computer 13 retrieves the value of the outside temperature and sends it to the air conditioning computer 6 via the second data transmission member 02.

[0041] The presence detector 14 comprises several sensors 14a, 14b capable of detecting the number of people present on board the vehicle. Detecting the number of people present on board the vehicle provides better control of the air conditioning because the humidity generated in the passenger compartment increases if the number of people present in the passenger compartment increases. The humidity generated by the people present on board the vehicle is notably due to their breathing and perspiration.

[0042] The detection of a presence on a seat can be done by detecting the fastening of the seat belts and / or by detecting the change in weight or weight distribution on the surface of the seat. The safety computer 15 recovers the presence information detected by the presence detector 14 and analyzes it to transmit it to the air conditioning computer 6 via the third data transmission member 03.

[0043] The ADAS 2 front-facing driving camera retrieves weather images, analyzes them, and outputs climate-related data. The climate-related data includes an outdoor solar radiation level, an outdoor humidity level, and an indication of the vehicle's windshield temperature.

[0044] The ADAS 2 front driving camera transmits the air conditioning data to the air conditioning computer 6 via the fourth data transmission member 04.

[0045] When the air conditioning computer 6 retrieves the air conditioning data from the human-machine interface computer 11, the outside temperature sensor computer 13, the safety computer 15 and the ADAS 2 front driving camera, it can make adjustments to the air conditioning in the vehicle. In particular, the air conditioning computer 6 adjusts the speed of the blower air 7, the opening and closing of the air distribution flaps 8 and the parameters of the air conditioning compressor 9 in order to regulate the temperature and humidity of the ambient air in the vehicle.

[0046] The air conditioning system 5 operates with an Ethernet network and / or a control zone network (called CAN).

[0047] The invention also relates to an automatic air conditioning method for a motor vehicle, implemented by the automatic air conditioning system 5 described above.

[0048] The automatic air conditioning process comprises several steps.

[0049] The first step is a step of acquiring meteorological images by the front driving camera AD AS 2. In fact, the camera 2 recovers the images that it perceives in its visibility zone.

[0050] The second step is a step of processing the meteorological images acquired by the front driving camera AD AS 2 during the first step. The processing of the meteorological images is carried out by the front driving camera AD AS 2 itself. Indeed, the front camera comprises real-time image analysis software which allows it to process meteorological conditions observed on the meteorological images acquired during the first step. The meteorological conditions observed on the meteorological images include the outdoor sunshine, the outdoor frost rate and the intensity of the outdoor rain and / or fog.

[0051] The third step is a step of generating data relating to air conditioning by the front driving camera AD AS 2. It is the front camera 2 itself which generates data relating to air conditioning after having processed the weather conditions observed on the weather images acquired during the first step. The data relating to air conditioning generated include an external solar radiation rate, an external humidity rate and an indication on the temperature of the windshield 1 of the vehicle.

[0052] The fourth step of the method is a step of transmitting the air conditioning data generated during the third step to the air conditioning computer 6. In fact, the front driving camera AD AS 2 transmits the air conditioning data to the air conditioning computer 6 via the fourth data transmission member 04.

[0053] The external solar radiation is estimated based on the external sunshine. A rate ranging from 0% to 100% is transmitted to the air conditioning computer 6 concerning the presence of external sunshine. When there is no sun, the front camera 2 transmits an external solar radiation rate of 0% to the air conditioning computer 6 and when there is strong sunshine, the front camera 2 transmits an external solar radiation rate of 100% to the air conditioning computer 6. The level of external solar radiation ensures adequate cooling power to be generated in the passenger compartment. If the external solar radiation is high, the amount of cooling to be distributed in the vehicle is significant.

[0054] The humidity level is estimated based on the intensity of the rain and / or fog, also providing an idea of ​​the outside humidity. The front camera 2 transmits a humidity level to the air conditioning computer 6 ranging from 0% if there is no fog to 100% if there is high humidity. The humidity level ensures good comfort for the vehicle occupants and helps prevent fogging inside the vehicle. The humidity level helps in particular with the adjustment of the parameters of the air conditioning compressor 9. Indeed, the more humid the environment, the greater the amount of cold air to be diffused into the passenger compartment in order to dry the air. To demist the passenger compartment, the cold air also helps eliminate fog and prevent its appearance. The demisting function can be automatic and / or manual 19 via the human-machine interface 10.

[0055] The indication of the temperature of the windshield 1 of the vehicle is estimated based on the frost rate detected by the front camera 2. If there is frost, the front camera 2 indicates to the air conditioning computer 6 the need to diffuse hot air, in particular at the demisting vents in order to melt the film of ice located on the outside of the windshield 1.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the air conditioning computer 6 does not use the indication of the temperature of the windshield but estimates the risk of fogging as a function of the outside temperature determined by the outside temperature sensor 12, the humidity level and the frost level estimated by the front camera 2.

[0057] The margin of variation of the air conditioning data transmitted to the air conditioning computer 6 by the front camera 2 is between 20% and 50%. The margin of variation depends in particular on the fineness of the image processing and the capacity of the front camera 2 to detect the elements on the image.

[0058] The method comprises a fifth step which is a step of air conditioning the vehicle. Indeed, once the air conditioning computer 6 has received the data relating to the air conditioning, it proceeds to adjust the speed of the air blower 7, the opening and closing of the air distribution flaps 8 and the parameters of the air conditioning compressor 9 in order to regulate the temperature and humidity of the ambient air in the vehicle.

[0059] The air conditioning system 5 is capable of triggering the automatic defrosting of the windshield according to the exterior frost rate detected by the front driving camera AD AS 2.

[0060] The architecture which has just been described is advantageous, in particular concerning the cost of the vehicle including the necessary equipment as well as assembly and maintenance. of said hardware. This architecture facilitates the integration of an automatic air conditioning system into a motor vehicle.

[0061] The use of the front camera 2 to adjust the automatic air conditioning makes it possible to add an automatic air conditioning function to a vehicle that does not initially include this function, simply by updating the vehicle software. This architecture makes it possible to upgrade the vehicle during its lifetime by switching from a manual air conditioning system to an automatic air conditioning system 5 without adding an additional sensor.

[0062] On a motor vehicle initially comprising two RLS 3 sensors placed in two separate locations and in which the RLS 3 sensor comprising the data relating to the air conditioning is removed, the envisaged saving is around ten euros. On a motor vehicle initially comprising one RLS 3 sensor and in which the individual sensors of the RLS 3 sensor comprising the data relating to the air conditioning are removed, the envisaged saving is one or two euros.

[0063] Given that today the GSR2 regulation requires the use of a front driving camera AD AS 2 for all vehicles and that said front camera 2 is capable of transmitting data relating to air conditioning, the RLS 3 sensor is no longer essential.

[0064] Furthermore, it is entirely possible to envisage a motor vehicle which does not use an RLS 3 sensor and which retrieves information on the level of rain and brightness from the AD AS 2 front driving camera.

Claims

Claims

1. Automatic air conditioning system (5) for a motor vehicle, comprising an air blower (7), air distribution flaps (8), a compressor (9), an air conditioning computer (6) capable of controlling the air blower (7), the flaps (8) and the compressor (9), the system further comprising a front driving camera AD AS (2), and a human-machine interface computer (11) which communicates with the air conditioning computer (6), characterized in that it comprises a data transmission member (04) serving as a communication channel between the front camera (2) and the air conditioning computer (6), said data transmission member being capable of transporting data relating to the air conditioning identified by the front camera (2) to the air conditioning computer (6).

2. Air conditioning system (5) according to claim 1, in which the air conditioning data comprises an external solar radiation rate, an external humidity rate and an indication of the temperature of the windshield (1) of the vehicle.

3. Air conditioning system (5) according to one of claims 1 and 2, comprising an outside temperature sensor (12), an outside temperature sensor computer (13) and a data transmission member (02) which transmits the data from the outside temperature sensor computer (13) to the air conditioning computer (6).

4. Air conditioning system (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a presence detector (14) in the vehicle, a safety computer (15) which recovers the data from the presence detector (14), and a data transmission member (03) which transmits the data from the safety computer (15) to the air conditioning computer (6).

5. Air conditioning system (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the communications between the components of said air conditioning system (5) are carried out via an Ethernet and / or Can network.

6. An air conditioning system (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the front driving camera AD AS (2) is able to analyze detected meteorological images to deliver data relating to air conditioning.

7. Automatic air conditioning method for a motor vehicle, implemented by an automatic air conditioning system (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: • acquisition by the front camera (2) of meteorological images, • processing by the front camera (2) of the acquired meteorological images, • generation by the front camera (2) of data relating to the air conditioning, • transmission of the data relating to the air conditioning from the front camera (2) to the air conditioning computer (6) via a data transmission member (04), and • automatic air conditioning of the vehicle.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the front camera (2) processes the weather conditions observed on the acquired weather images to generate air conditioning data.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the weather conditions observed in the weather images include outdoor sunshine, outdoor frost rate, and outdoor rain and / or fog intensity.

10. Method according to one of claims 8 and 9, in which the air conditioning system (5) is capable of triggering the automatic defrosting of the windshield (1) according to the exterior frost rate detected by the front driving camera AD AS (2).

11. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the air conditioning data generated by the front camera (2) comprises an external solar radiation rate, an external humidity rate and an indication of the temperature of the windshield (1) of the vehicle.

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