CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE'S HEATING, VENTILATION AND / OR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND VEHICLE INCLUDING SUCH A SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) for controlling a heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning (HVAC) system (3) in a motor vehicle, said HVAC system (3) comprising a plurality of air outlets, characterized in that said system (1) comprises: – a touchscreen (5); – a module (7) for detecting unoccupied vehicle seats; – a control module (9) for said air outlets of the HVAC system (3); said system (1) being configured to display a button which, when pressed, triggers the closing of one or more air outlets depending on the number of unoccupied seats, the button being displayed if the HVAC system (3) is running and if the detection module (7) has detected unoccupied seats in the vehicle. [Fig. 1]

Description

Title of the invention: SYSTEM FOR ADJUSTING A HEATING, VENTILATION AND / OR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM OF A MOTOR VEHICLE AND VEHICLE COMPRISING SUCH A SYSTEM

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, and more particularly to the field of adjusting the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system of a motor vehicle.

[0002] Most motor vehicles include a passenger compartment supplied with air by means of a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system comprising a plurality of air outlets opening into the passenger compartment of the vehicle, generally opposite one or more seats or places, this type of ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning system also being designated by the acronym HVAC (for "Heating, Ventilation and / or Air-Conditioning System" in English).

[0003] As autonomy and ecological constraints become increasingly important, a mode of operation for the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system has been developed, generally referred to by the English term "OCCUPANT ONLY" mode or in French "Air conditioning for occupied seats only", a mode which consists of being able to selectively close the air outlets which are not located opposite an occupied seat (or an occupied space) in the motor vehicle.

[0004] This mode of operation has the advantage of reducing energy consumption, generally between 25% and 40%, of the vehicle's heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system, while maintaining thermal comfort similar to the normal operating mode for the vehicle's passengers.

[0005] Typically, this "OCCUPANT ONLY" operating mode is generally activated via a manual control, such as a physical button, located in the vehicle's passenger compartment, which is only triggered by manual activation.

[0006] However, the manual control of this operating mode is often located in places that are difficult to access or see for the occupants of the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0007] Moreover, this mode of operation is little known to motor vehicle users, and the signaling of this physical button, for example by means of a pictogram or words, is not always explicit and clear to the occupants of the vehicle.

[0008] In addition, such a physical button is one button among others located in the vehicle's interior, and can be easily confused with other physical buttons and / or be difficult to find.

[0009] For all these reasons, the "OCCUPANT ONLY" operating mode is very little used, or not used at all, by motor vehicle users, despite the fact that it allows for low fuel consumption and low emission driving, as well as increased vehicle range.

[0010] It is therefore necessary to find a way to promote the use of this operating mode of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system by the vehicle user.

[0011] The present invention thus proposes to remedy at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a new type of control system for a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system of a motor vehicle, said heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system comprising a plurality of air outlets, characterized in that said system comprises: - a touch screen; - a module for detecting unoccupied seats in the vehicle; - a control module for said air outlets of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system; said system being configured to display a button which, when pressed, triggers the closing of one or more air outlets depending on the unoccupied seats, the display of the button being triggered if the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system is in operation and if the detection module has detected unoccupied seats in the vehicle.

[0012] The system according to the invention makes it possible to encourage, in a simple and effective manner, the use of the "OCCUPANT ONLY" operating mode by a vehicle occupant. Furthermore, said system is inexpensive, as it can use elements already present in the vehicle, for example the touchscreen of the dashboard and / or infotainment system, the various sensors that detect whether a seat in the vehicle's passenger compartment is occupied, etc., and avoids the need to add a physical button in the passenger compartment to activate this particular operating mode of said heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system.

[0013] Said system according to the invention allows differentiation of the vehicle brand among users, while encouraging a reduction in the vehicle's energy consumption, and therefore a gain in autonomy.

[0014] Furthermore, said system allows for quick and intuitive activation of said operating mode, without the need to search for a physical button located in the passenger compartment, or to take one's eyes off the road in the case of the driver of the vehicle, the activation of such a button being done by simple contact of the hand with the part of the touch screen where said button is displayed.

[0015] According to one possible feature, when said button is activated, the air outlets located opposite an unoccupied seat are then blocked. Advantageously, one or more air outlets located opposite an unoccupied space (or an unoccupied seat) are blocked (or closed), in order to reduce the energy consumption of said heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system, without degrading the thermal comfort of the occupied spaces.

[0016] According to another possible feature, the displayed button occupies at least 25% of the touch screen area. The dimensions of the displayed button are advantageously as large as possible, so that a vehicle occupant, for example the driver, can activate the button without needing to look at the screen and / or aim precisely at a specific area of ​​said touch screen.

[0017] According to another possible feature, the size of the displayed button can be pre-set to have dimensions that occupy between 25% and 100% of the surface of the touch screen.

[0018] The size of the button can vary depending on the ergonomics sought for the activation of said button; the larger the button, the simpler it will be to activate (for example, without looking at the screen) by a simple contact with the touch screen.

[0019] According to another possible feature, after pressing the displayed button, the system is configured to display, via the touch screen, a message indicating the closure of one or more air outlets. Advantageously, the touchscreen displays a message indicating the successful activation of the operating mode of said heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system, said message advantageously including pictograms and / or words for the attention of at least one occupant of the vehicle.

[0020] According to another possible feature, said system is configured to retrieve information relating to the level of autonomy, the display of said button being a function of the vehicle's level of autonomy. The system according to the invention is therefore advantageously configured to encourage the vehicle user to trigger the "OCCUPANT ONLY" operating mode when the vehicle's autonomy level is below a predetermined threshold, in particular to increase the vehicle's autonomy.

[0021] According to another possible feature, said system is configured to retrieve information relating to the charge level of a vehicle battery, the display of said button being a function of the charge level of said battery.

[0022] The system according to the invention has a particularly advantageous application in the context of vehicles with an electric traction battery, such as an electric or hybrid vehicle, in order to promote the use of said operating mode and thus optimize the electrical consumption of the vehicle, for example when the charge level of said battery is below a predetermined threshold.

[0023] According to another possible feature, said system includes a microphone, said system being configured, when said button is displayed, to trigger the closing of one or more air outlets by voice command.

[0024] The system is advantageously configured so that once the button is displayed, said button can be activated by alternative means, such as a voice command, in order to facilitate the activation of said operating mode and / or to avoid, in the case of the driver of the vehicle, the need to divert his attention from the road to activate said operating mode.

[0025] According to another possible feature, said system is configured to retrieve information relating to the geolocation of said vehicle, the display of said button being a function of the geolocation of the vehicle.

[0026] The system is advantageously linked to the vehicle's geolocation system, in order to be able to determine the geographical position of the vehicle, for example whether the vehicle is located in an urban area and / or in a low emission zone (or LEZ), and thus reduce the vehicle's energy consumption, and therefore decrease the vehicle's pollutant emissions, by activating said operating mode of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system.

[0027] The invention also relates to a method for adjusting a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system of a motor vehicle, said heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system comprising a plurality of air outlets, characterized in that said system comprises a touch screen, a module for detecting unoccupied seats in the vehicle, a module for controlling said air outlets of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system, characterized in that said method comprises a display, by the touch screen, of a button which, when pressed, triggers the closing of one or more air outlets depending on the unoccupied seats, the display of the button being triggered if the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system is running and if the detection module has detected unoccupied seats in the vehicle.

[0028] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle, for example a thermal, electric or hybrid vehicle, said vehicle comprising a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system, characterized in that said vehicle comprises a system as defined above.

[0029] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given solely by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Fig. 1 illustrates a very schematic view of a system, according to the invention, for adjusting a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system in a motor vehicle; - Fig. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method, according to the invention, for adjusting a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system in a motor vehicle.

[0030] In the following description, the term "include" is synonymous with "include" and is not limiting in that it permits the presence of other elements in the vehicle, or the structure to which it relates. It is understood that the term "include" includes the terms "consist of".

[0031] Fig. 1 illustrates a very schematic view of a control system 1 for a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system of a motor vehicle, said control system 1 being intended to equip a motor vehicle (not shown), for example a thermal, electric or hybrid vehicle.

[0032] Said heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning installation 3 is also integrated into said motor vehicle and includes a plurality of air outlets (not shown) configured to blow air from said installation 3 to one or more places or seats located in a motor vehicle passenger compartment.

[0033] Said adjustment system 1 comprises as follows: - a 5-inch touchscreen, for example a 5-inch screen integrated into one of the vehicle's systems or components, such as the vehicle's dashboard and / or infotainment console; - a detection module 7 for unoccupied vehicle spaces (i.e. a module allowing control of the closing and opening of said exits); - a control module 9 for said air outlets of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system.

[0034] Said system 1 is thus configured to display on said touch screen 3, a button which, when pressed, triggers, by means of said control module 9, the closing of one or more air outlets depending on the unoccupied seats, advantageously closing the air outlets located opposite an unoccupied seat in the vehicle.

[0035] It should be noted that by activation of the button, we mean the fact that contact with the touch screen 5, or pressure of a finger on said screen 5, allows the activation of said button to be validated (and therefore the triggering of said operating mode).

[0036] In addition, there is a display of said button if the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning installation 3 is in operation and if the detection module 7 detects unoccupied seats in the vehicle.

[0037] It should be noted that the selective closing of the air outlets of the installation 3 is a specific operating mode of said installation 3, an operating mode generally designated under the term "OCCUPANT ONLY" mode or in French "Air conditioning for occupied seats only".

[0038] The unoccupied place (or unoccupied seat) detection module 7 is advantageously a module connected directly or indirectly, for example by a vehicle on-board computer, to one or more sensors configured to determine whether a place (or seat) is occupied by a human being.

[0039] Furthermore, said button displayed on the touch screen occupies at least 25% of the surface of the touch screen 5, and for example occupies between 25 and 100% of the surface of the touch screen 5.

[0040] However, the size of the displayed button can be adjusted beforehand to have dimensions that occupy between 25% and 100% of the surface of the touch screen 5, such adjustment being made for example via said screen 5, in a settings menu relating to said system 1.

[0041] Furthermore, after pressing the button displayed by the touch screen 5, the system 1 is configured to display, via said screen 5, a message indicating the closure of one or more air outlets of said installation 3. Said message advantageously includes pictograms and / or words addressed to at least one occupant of the vehicle and confirming the activation of the "OCCUPANT ONLY" mode.

[0042] Said system 1 advantageously includes a microphone 11, said system 1 being configured, when said button is displayed on the touch screen 5, so that a voice command can trigger the closing of one or more air outlets, and thus switch the installation 3 into an "OCCUPANT ONLY" operating mode.

[0043] Furthermore, said system 1 is configured to be connected to various components or systems of the vehicle, such as the on-board computer, in order to be able to communicate with them and retrieve one or more of the following information: - the vehicle's autonomy level IFb for example when system 1 determines that the vehicle's autonomy level is not sufficient without activating "OCCUPANT ONLY" mode to reach the destination, or the autonomy level has a value lower than a predetermined threshold; - information relating to the charge level of an electric traction battery of the IF2 vehicle, for example when the battery level is below a predetermined threshold; - information relating to the geolocation of said vehicle IF3.

[0044] More specifically, the system 1 comprises an electronic unit 15, such as the vehicle's on-board computer, connected to the various components or elements mentioned above, such as the touchscreen 5, the vehicle's unoccupied seat detection module 7, the control module 9, the microphone 11, etc. This electronic unit 15 is further configured to communicate with and / or control these elements 5, 7, 9 and / or 11.

[0045] Said system 1 is also configured to communicate with various organs and elements of the vehicle via a vehicle communication bus. The communication bus 34 can be configured to transmit signals relating to vehicle states to the electronic unit 15, such as the vehicle's range level IFi, information relating to the charge level of a vehicle battery IF2, information relating to the geolocation of said vehicle IF3, etc.

[0046] It will be noted that the electronic entity 15 may include a processor 17 having one or more circuits configured to receive signals from the communication bus, as well as a memory 19 configured to store instructions for controlling the operations of system 1 and / or the information IFi, IF2 and / or IF3, the processor 17 being for example in communication with the memory 19.

[0047] Figure 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method 100 for adjusting an installation 3 of heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning of a motor vehicle which is operated by system 1, and more particularly by electronic entity 15.

[0048] Said method 100 thus comprises: - a detection that said installation 3 is in operation Ei (or in operation), for example by means of the control module 9; - detection, using the detection module 7, that one or more places are unoccupied E2; - a display, via the touch screen 5, of an E3 button which, when pressed, triggers the closing of one or more air outlets of said installation 3, depending on the unoccupied places detected; - activation of button E4 by contact with the area of ​​touch screen 5 displaying said button, and therefore the blocking of the air outlets located opposite the unoccupied seats.

Claims

Demands

1. System (1) for controlling a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (3) of a motor vehicle, said heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (3) comprising a plurality of air outlets, characterized in that said system (1) comprises: - a touch screen (5); - a module for detecting unoccupied vehicle seats; - a control module (9) for said air outlets of the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (3); said system (1) being configured to display a button which, when pressed, triggers the closing of one or more air outlets depending on the unoccupied seats, the display of the button being triggered if the heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system (3) is in operation and if the detection module (7) has detected unoccupied seats in the vehicle.

2. System (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, when the button is activated, the air outlets located opposite an unoccupied space are closed.

3. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the displayed button occupies at least 25% of the surface of the touch screen (5).

4. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the size of the displayed button can be pre-set to have dimensions that occupy between 25% and 100% of the surface of the touch screen (5).

5. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, after pressing the displayed button, the system (1) is configured to display, via the touch screen (5), a message indicating the closure of one or more air outlets.

6. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said system (1) is configured to retrieve information relating to the vehicle's autonomy level (IFI), the display of said button being a function of the vehicle's autonomy level.

7. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said system (1) is configured to retrieve information relating to the charge level of a vehicle battery (IF2), the display of said button being a function of the charge level of said battery.

8. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said system (1) is configured to retrieve information relating to the geolocation (IF3) of said vehicle, the display of said button being a function of the geolocation of the vehicle.

9. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said system (1) comprises a microphone (11), said system (1) being configured, when said button is displayed, to trigger the closing of one or more air outlets by voice command.

10. Motor vehicle, said vehicle comprising a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning installation (3), characterized in that said vehicle comprises a system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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