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

Abstract

This automatic climate control system (5) for motor vehicles includes a blower motor (7), air distribution flaps (8), a compressor (9), and a climate control unit (6) capable of controlling the blower motor (7), the flaps (8), and the compressor (9). It further includes a front-facing ADAS driving camera (2) and a human-machine interface control unit (11) that communicates with the climate control unit (6). The automatic climate control system (5) includes a data transmission unit (O4) serving as a communication channel between the front-facing camera (2) and the climate control unit (6). This transmission unit is capable of carrying climate control data identified by the front-facing camera (2) to the climate control unit (6). (See Figure 3 for abbreviations.)

Description

Title of the invention: AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES 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 uses several data points to regulate the temperature inside the vehicle. These data points include, for example, the intensity of solar radiation, the windshield temperature, and the ambient humidity. This data provides important information about the temperature and humidity of the air inside the vehicle. In particular, the windshield temperature helps identify the risk of fogging, the intensity of solar radiation allows for adjusting the vehicle's heating or cooling, and the ambient humidity ensures the comfort of the vehicle's occupants.

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

[0005] The RLS sensor comprises several individual sensors, namely a rain intensity sensor, an ambient light sensor, a windshield temperature sensor, a solar radiation power sensor, and a humidity sensor. The rain intensity sensor allows the windshield wiper timing to be adjusted in automatic mode, and the ambient light sensor allows, among other things, the daytime running lights to be activated.

[0006] The RLS sensor is complex to implement because it must meet the constraints of each individual sensor. It must be placed in the area of ​​the windshield wiped to meet the requirements of the wiper adjustment and must not be placed at the level of the demister vents, as this could interfere with the humidity sensor. It must also be concealed from the view of the vehicle occupants and, above all, must not obstruct the driver's visibility.

[0007] On certain vehicle models, for example, those with opposing windshield wipers, i.e., those with a centrally located and symmetrical arrangement, the RLS sensor must The wiper arm must be positioned in the lower part of the windshield because the wiper area is not high enough to accommodate the RLS sensor without obstructing the driver. Conversely, the demister vents located in the lower part of the windshield interfere with the humidity sensor. Vehicles with opposing wiper arms therefore include two RLS sensors: a first sensor located in the lower part of the windshield containing the individual sensors for rain intensity and ambient light, and a second sensor located in the upper part of the windshield containing the individual sensors used by the automatic climate control system.

[0008] Fig. 1 illustrates the electronic architecture of an air conditioning system using RLS sensor data. The air conditioning system includes an air conditioning control unit for controlling the blower motor, air distribution flaps and air conditioning compressor, an RLS sensor and an RLS sensor control unit, a human-machine interface and its control unit, an outside temperature sensor and an outside temperature sensor control unit, and an ADAS front driving camera which is not used for the air conditioning system.

[0009] In [Fig. 1], data transfers are carried out via data transmission devices located, in particular, between the RLS sensor control unit and the climate control unit, between the human-machine interface control unit and the climate control unit, and between the outside temperature sensor control unit and the climate control unit. The climate control system operates with an Ethernet network and / or a control zone network (CAN) for the majority of its components. In contrast, the RLS sensor operates with a local interconnected network (LIN).

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

[0011] This configuration nevertheless entails additional costs, including the necessary equipment as well as the assembly and maintenance of said equipment. Description 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 a blower motor, air distribution flaps, a compressor, and an air conditioning control unit capable of controlling the blower motor, the flaps, and the compressor. The system further comprises a front-facing ADAS driving camera and a human-machine interface control unit that communicates with the air conditioning control unit. The air conditioning system includes a data transmission device serving as a communication channel between the front camera and the air conditioning control unit. This data transmission device is capable of transmitting air conditioning-related data identified by the front camera to the air conditioning control unit.

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

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

[0016] Advantageously, the air conditioning system includes a presence detector in the vehicle, a safety computer that retrieves the data from the presence detector, and a data transmission unit that 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 the 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 process includes the following steps: - acquisition of meteorological images by the front camera; - processing of acquired meteorological images by the front camera, - generation by the front camera of data relating to the air conditioning; - transmission of air conditioning data from the camera front to the air conditioning computer via a data transmission device; - Automatic vehicle air conditioning.

[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 intensity of outdoor rain and / or fog.

[0023] As an option, the air conditioning system is capable of automatically triggering the defrosting of the windshield according to the outside frost level detected by the ADAS front driving camera.

[0024] Advantageously, the climate control data generated by the front camera includes an outside solar radiation level, an outside humidity level, and an indication of the vehicle's windshield temperature. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0026] - Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the architecture of an air conditioning system automatic using an RLS sensor;

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

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

[0029] Figure 2 shows the windshield 1 of a motor vehicle comprising a front-facing ADAS driving camera 2, an RLS sensor 3, and a conventional windshield wiper area 4. The illustrated motor vehicle includes an automatic climate control system 5.

[0030] The GSR2 (“General Safety Regulation 2”) regulation mandates the use of the ADAS 2 front-facing camera for all types of vehicles in Europe from 2024. The ADAS 2 front-facing camera detects images outside the vehicle to assist the driver with various vehicle functions. In particular, it is used for automatic emergency braking (AEB) by detecting potential collisions in the images, and to warn of potential lane departures with the lane departure warning (LDW) function and to assist with lane keeping assist (LKA). Furthermore, the ADAS 2 front-facing camera is used in adaptive cruise control (ACC) and in recognizing road signs.

[0031] The AD AS 2 front driving camera has a view of the area in front of the vehicle and is traditionally mounted at the top of the windscreen 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 AD AS front driving camera 2 and in the windshield wiper zone 4. The RLS sensor 3 here comprises a unit sensor for the rain intensity level and a unit sensor for ambient light. The two unit sensors of the RLS sensor 3 assist in the automatic windshield wiper operation and the daytime running light adjustment. The wiper 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 climate control system 5. The climate control system 5 uses data from the AD AS 2 front driving camera and does not use data from the RLS 3 sensor since the latter no longer detects data relating to automatic climate control.

[0034] The automatic air conditioning system 5 therefore includes an air conditioning control unit 6, an air blower 7, air distribution flaps 8 and an air conditioning compressor 9. The air conditioning system 5 also includes a Human-Machine Interface 10, a Human-Machine Interface control unit 11, an outside temperature sensor 12, an outside temperature sensor control unit 13, a presence detector 14, a security control unit 15 and an AD AS 2 front driving camera.

[0035] The air conditioning control unit 6 allows control of 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 devices. A first data transmission device 01 is located between the Human-Machine Interface Computer 11 and the Climate Control Computer 6, a second data transmission device 02 is located between the Outside Temperature Sensor Computer 13 and the Climate Control Computer 6, a third data transmission device 03 is located between the Safety Computer 15 and the Climate Control Computer 6, and a fourth data transmission device 04 is located between the AD AS 2 Front Driving Camera and the Climate Control Computer 6.

[0037] The data transmission units 01, 02, 03, 04 carry data from one electronic component to another. In particular, data relating to the air conditioning is carried 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 calculator 6, 11, 13, 15 allows the data from the corresponding electronic component to be retrieved and analyzed.

[0039] The Human-Machine Interface 10 allows the driver and / or passengers to manually adjust certain functions, such as the speed of the air blower 16, the air temperature 17, the activation of the air conditioning 18, the defogging of the vehicle 19 and the defrosting of the windshield 20. When a person on board the vehicle adjusts functions using the Human-Machine Interface 10, the Human-Machine Interface computer 11 retrieves the settings 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 device 01.

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

[0041] The presence detector 14 includes several sensors 14a, 14b capable of detecting the number of people present in the vehicle. Detecting the number of people in the vehicle allows for better climate control adjustment because the humidity generated in the passenger compartment increases when the number of people in the passenger compartment increases. The humidity generated by the people in the vehicle is due in particular to their respiration and perspiration.

[0042] The detection of a presence on a seat can be achieved by detecting the fastening of the seat belts and / or by detecting a change in weight or weight distribution on the seat surface. The safety control unit 15 retrieves the presence information recorded by the presence detector 14 and analyzes it before transmitting it to the climate control unit 6 via the third data transmission device 03.

[0043] The ADAS 2 front-facing camera retrieves meteorological images, analyzes them, and outputs climate control data. This climate control data includes, in particular, the outside solar radiation level, the outside humidity level, and an indication of the vehicle's windshield temperature.

[0044] The ADAS 2 front driving camera transmits climate control data to the climate control unit 6 via the fourth data transmission unit 04.

[0045] When the climate control unit 6 retrieves climate control data from the human-machine interface control unit 11, the outside temperature sensor control unit 13, the safety control unit 15, and the ADAS front driving camera 2, it can adjust the climate control settings in the vehicle. In particular, the climate control unit 6 adjusts the blower speed 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 (known as 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 AD AS 2 front driving camera. Indeed, the camera 2 retrieves the images that it perceives in its area of ​​visibility.

[0050] The second step is a processing step of the meteorological images acquired by the AD AS 2 front-facing camera during the first step. The processing of the meteorological images is performed by the AD AS 2 front-facing camera itself. Specifically, the front-facing camera includes real-time image analysis software that allows it to process the meteorological conditions observed in the meteorological images acquired during the first step. The meteorological conditions observed in the meteorological images include the outside sunshine, the outside frost level, and the intensity of the outside rain and / or fog.

[0051] The third step is a data generation step related to climate control by the AD AS 2 front-facing camera. The front camera 2 itself generates climate control data after processing the weather conditions observed in the weather images acquired during the first step. The generated climate control data includes an outside solar radiation level, an outside humidity level, and an indication of the temperature of the vehicle's windshield 1.

[0052] The fourth step of the process is a step of transmitting the air conditioning data generated during the third step to the air conditioning control unit 6. Indeed, the AD AS 2 front driving camera transmits the air conditioning data to the air conditioning control unit 6 via the fourth data transmission device 04.

[0053] External solar radiation is estimated based on the amount of sunlight. A percentage ranging from 0% to 100% is transmitted to the climate control unit 6 regarding the presence of external sunlight. When there is no sun, the front camera 2 transmits an external solar radiation percentage of 0% to the climate control unit 6, and when there is strong sunlight, the front camera 2 transmits an external solar radiation percentage of 100% to the climate control unit 6. The level of external solar radiation ensures adequate cooling power is generated inside the vehicle. If external solar radiation is high, a significant amount of cooling needs to be distributed throughout the vehicle.

[0054] The humidity level is estimated based on the intensity of the rain and / or fog, also providing an indication of the outside humidity. The front camera 2 transmits a humidity level to the climate control unit 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's occupants and helps prevent fogging inside the vehicle. The humidity level is particularly useful for adjusting the parameters of the air conditioning compressor 9. Indeed, the more humid the environment, the greater the amount of cold air that needs to be circulated in the passenger compartment to dry the air. To demist the passenger compartment, the cold air also helps eliminate fog and prevent its formation. The demisting function can be automatic and / or manual 19 via the Human-Machine Interface 10.

[0055] The indication of the temperature of the windscreen 1 of the vehicle is estimated according to the degree of frost detected by the front camera 2. If there is frost, the front camera 2 indicates to the air conditioning control unit 6 the need to diffuse hot air in particular at the level of the demister vents in order to melt the film of ice which is on the outside of the windscreen 1.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the air conditioning computer 6 does not use the windshield temperature indication but estimates the risk of fogging based on 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 in the air conditioning data transmitted to the air conditioning control unit 6 by the front camera 2 is between 20% and 50%. This margin of variation depends in particular on the image processing accuracy and the ability of the front camera 2 to detect elements in the image.

[0058] The process includes a fifth step, which is a vehicle air conditioning step. Indeed, once the air conditioning control unit 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 automatic windscreen defrosting according to the outside frost level detected by the AD AS 2 front driving camera.

[0060] The architecture just described is advantageous, particularly with regard to the cost of the vehicle including the necessary equipment as well as assembly and maintenance said equipment. This architecture facilitates the integration of an automatic climate control system into a motor vehicle.

[0061] Using the front camera 2 to adjust the automatic climate control allows an automatic climate control function to be added to a vehicle that does not initially include this function, simply by updating the vehicle's software. This architecture allows the vehicle to be upgraded during its lifecycle from a manual climate control system to an automatic climate control system 5 without adding any additional sensors.

[0062] On a motor vehicle initially comprising two RLS 3 sensors placed in two separate locations, and in which the RLS 3 sensor containing the air conditioning data is removed, the anticipated savings are approximately ten euros. On a motor vehicle initially comprising one RLS 3 sensor, and in which the individual RLS 3 sensors containing the air conditioning data are removed, the anticipated savings are one or two euros.

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

[0064] In addition, it is entirely possible to consider 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

Demands

1. Automatic air conditioning system (5) for a motor vehicle, comprising a blower (7), air distribution flaps (8), a compressor (9), an air conditioning control unit (6) capable of controlling the blower (7), the flaps (8) and the compressor (9), the system further comprising a front-facing AD AS driving camera (2), and a human-machine interface control unit (11) which communicates with the air conditioning control unit (6), characterized in that it comprises a data transmission element (04) serving as a communication channel between the front camera (2) and the air conditioning control unit (6), said data transmission element being capable of carrying air conditioning-related data identified by the front camera (2) to the air conditioning control unit (6), the air conditioning-related data including an outside solar radiation rate,an outside humidity level and an indication of the windscreen temperature (1) of the vehicle.

2. Air conditioning system (5) according to claim 1, comprising an outside temperature sensor (12), an outside temperature sensor control unit (13) and a data transmission unit (02) which transmits data from the outside temperature sensor control unit (13) to the air conditioning control unit (6).

3. Air conditioning system (5) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, comprising a presence detector (14) in the vehicle, a safety computer (15) which retrieves the data from the presence detector (14), and a data transmission unit (03) which transmits the data from the safety computer (15) to the air conditioning computer (6).

4. Air conditioning system (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein communications between the components of said air conditioning system (5) are carried out via an Ethernet and / or Can network.

5. Air conditioning system (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the AD AS front driving camera (2) is capable of analyzing detected meteorological images to deliver air conditioning-related data.

6. Method of automatic air conditioning for motor vehicle, implemented by an automatic air conditioning system (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, 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 air conditioning, • transmission of the data relating to air conditioning from the front camera (2) to the air conditioning control unit (6) via a data transmission element (04), and • automatic air conditioning of the vehicle.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the front camera (2) processes the weather conditions observed on the acquired weather images in order to generate data relating to air conditioning.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the weather conditions observed on the weather images include outdoor sunshine, outdoor frost rate, and intensity of outdoor rain and / or fog.

9. A method according to any one of claims 7 and 8, wherein the air conditioning system (5) is capable of triggering automatic defrosting of the windshield (1) according to the outside frost level detected by the AD AS front driving camera (2).

10. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the climate control data generated by the front camera (2) includes an outside solar radiation rate, an outside humidity rate and an indication of the temperature of the vehicle's windshield (1).

Images