Vehicle control system

Abstract

To provide a vehicle control system which determines the content of air conditioning based on information of various sensors even when there is no indication of air conditioning control from an occupant.SOLUTION: A vehicle control system includes a passenger detection part 38 which receives information from a sensor 16 for detecting a passenger and detects the presence or absence of a passenger in a vehicle, an air temperature measurement part 40 which receives air temperature information measured at each of inner part / outer part air temperature sensors 18, 20, calculates an air temperature difference between the inner part and the outer part, and compares the air temperature difference with a prescribed value and an air conditioning part 46 which controls the air conditioning an inner part of the vehicle based on the information from the detection part 38 and the air temperature measurement part 40. The air conditioning part 46 controls air conditioning based on the instruction when there is the instruction after ignition switch-off and, when there is not the instruction and the air temperature difference is the above mentioned value or more, determines the content of the air conditioning and performs control.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle control system. [Background technology]

[0002] A vehicle is provided with an air conditioning device that controls the environment inside the vehicle, such as the temperature. The operation of the air conditioning device is controlled by the vehicle's control system, but this control is not limited to when the user is inside the vehicle. For example, vehicles have been developed that are equipped with a remote air conditioning function and a function that operates the vehicle's air conditioning device before the occupant gets into the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as "pre-air conditioning").

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle ventilation control system that controls ventilation inside the vehicle after a user gets off. This vehicle ventilation control system controls the air conditioning based on an instruction signal input after the user gets off so that the temperature inside the vehicle will be comfortable the next time the user gets in. In addition, this vehicle ventilation control system changes the ventilation content based on information from various sensors, making it possible to increase user comfort and is considered to be a system with a high degree of flexibility. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Publication 2020-124936 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the situation where a technology for automatically operating an air conditioner under certain conditions, such as pre-air conditioning, is necessary is not limited to before a passenger gets into the vehicle. For example, in order to prevent a person in the vehicle (in this case, the child) from becoming ill when a child or the like is left behind in the vehicle, the air conditioner needs to be automatically operated even after the ignition switch is turned off. When a child is left behind in the vehicle, the user who is the driver may not notice that the child has been left behind in the vehicle. In addition, the passengers in the vehicle, including children, may not be able to operate the air conditioner themselves. Therefore, a vehicle control system that automatically operates the air conditioner or performs ventilation when certain conditions are met is required. Note that "air conditioning" means air conditioning, and therefore, hereinafter, expressions such as "operation of the air conditioner" and "operation of the air conditioner" also include "ventilation" that replaces air for air conditioning.

[0006] In this specification, a vehicle control system is realized that determines and controls the air conditioning content based on information received from various sensors even when there is no instruction for air conditioning control from the occupant. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The vehicle control system disclosed in this specification comprises an occupant detection unit that receives information from a sensor that detects an occupant and detects whether or not there is an occupant in the vehicle; a temperature measurement unit that receives temperature information measured by an internal air temperature sensor and an external air temperature sensor, calculates the temperature difference between the internal air temperature and the external air temperature, and compares the temperature difference with a predetermined value; and an air conditioning control unit that receives air conditioning control instructions from the occupant and controls the air conditioning inside the vehicle based on the information from the occupant detection unit and the temperature measurement unit, wherein after the ignition switch is turned off, if there is an instruction, the air conditioning control unit controls the air conditioning based on the instruction, and if there is no instruction and the temperature difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the air conditioning control unit determines and controls the content of the air conditioning based on the difference between the temperature difference and the predetermined value. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the vehicle control system disclosed in this specification, even if there is no instruction for air conditioning control from the occupant, the content of air conditioning can be determined and controlled based on information received from various sensors. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle control system. [Diagram 2] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process in the vehicle control system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, a vehicle control system will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, the vehicle control system will be described as being mounted on a vehicle, but the vehicle control system disclosed in this specification is not limited to this, and a part of the vehicle control system may be installed outside the vehicle. For example, the vehicle can transmit detection values ​​of various sensors to an external center, and the external center can transmit an air conditioning control signal to the vehicle, thereby controlling the air conditioning in the vehicle.

[0011] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle control system. The vehicle control system 10 includes a control unit 12 and various sensors 14, and is a system in which the control unit 12 determines and controls the content of air conditioning based on information from the various sensors 14. As described above, "air conditioning" means air regulation, so "contents of air conditioning" also include "ventilation" to replace air for air conditioning. In other words, "contents of air conditioning" also include cases where the air conditioning device is not operated and only ventilation is performed by opening the windows.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the various sensors 14 include an occupant detection sensor 16, an internal air temperature sensor 18, an external air temperature sensor 20, and an external environment sensor 22. The occupant detection sensor 16 is a sensor used to detect whether or not an occupant is present in the vehicle. The occupant detection sensor 16 includes, for example, a seating sensor 24, a weight detection sensor 26, a belt buckle sensor 30, and a door sensor 32. The seating sensor 24, the weight detection sensor 26, and the belt buckle sensor 30 are installed on the vehicle seat and are used to detect whether an occupant is seated or at least on the seat. The door sensor 32 detects whether the door is opened or closed.

[0013] An interior air temperature sensor 18 measures the air temperature inside the vehicle compartment, and an exterior air temperature sensor 20 measures the air temperature outside the vehicle compartment.

[0014] The external environment sensor 22 may be any of a variety of existing sensors, such as a sensor that detects objects outside the vehicle, or a sensor that detects the weather or snowfall outside the vehicle, but in this example, a sensor that detects the weather outside the vehicle is used. For example, the external environment sensor 22 includes a solar radiation sensor 34 and a raindrop sensor 36. The solar radiation sensor 34 is disposed, for example, near the windshield inside the vehicle cabin and measures the intensity of solar radiation inside the vehicle cabin. The raindrop sensor 36 is disposed on the windshield and measures the amount of raindrops adhering to the windshield.

[0015] Information detected by the various sensors 14 is passed to the control unit 12. The control unit 12 includes an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that is made up of a microcomputer and the like, and controls the operation of each part of the vehicle control system 10. The control unit 12 also has an occupant detection unit 38, an air temperature measurement unit 40, a communication unit 42, a storage unit 44, and an air conditioning control unit 46. Each of these parts will be described later.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle control system 10 is configured to be able to communicate with an ignition switch 48 via the communication unit 42. The ignition switch 48 is provided near the driver's seat. When the ignition switch 48 is turned to the on state by a user, the vehicle is ready to run. Note that power is supplied to the vehicle control system 10 by the secondary power source even after the ignition switch 48 is turned to the off state. Information on the on / off state of the ignition switch 48 is also passed to the control unit 12, similar to information detected by the various sensors 14.

[0017] Next, each part of the control unit 12 will be described. The occupant detection unit 38 receives information from the occupant detection sensor 16 and detects the presence or absence of an occupant in the vehicle. For example, when the seating sensor 24 detects that an occupant is sitting in the seat after the ignition switch 48 is turned off, the occupant detection unit 38 determines that an occupant is present in the vehicle. Also, for example, when the door sensor 32 does not detect the opening or closing of the door after the ignition switch 48 is turned off, the occupant detection unit 38 determines that an occupant is present in the vehicle.

[0018] The temperature measurement unit 40 receives temperature information measured by the internal air temperature sensor 18 and the external air temperature sensor 20. The temperature measurement unit 40 then calculates the temperature difference between the received internal air temperature and the external air temperature, and compares the temperature difference with a predetermined value. Here, the predetermined value may be set for each season or weather, such as a certain degree or more in midsummer or a certain degree or more on a sunny day, or may simply be set to a value greater than 0 (i.e., the internal air temperature of the vehicle is equal to or greater than the external air temperature). The control unit 12 stores the predetermined value in the memory unit 44 in advance.

[0019] The communication unit 42 is a communication interface, and transmits and receives data between the vehicle control system 10 and the outside via a communication network (not shown). When an occupant instructs air conditioning control, the control unit 12 receives the instruction and stores it in the memory unit 44.

[0020] Under the control of the control unit 12, the memory unit 44 stores information such as information detected by the various sensors 14 described above, the results of the determination of the presence or absence of an occupant made by the occupant detection unit 38, and the results of the comparison made by the temperature measurement unit 40 between the air temperature difference and a predetermined value.

[0021] The air conditioning control unit 46 controls the air conditioning inside the vehicle based on information from the occupant detection unit 38 and the temperature measurement unit 40 under the control of the control unit 12. Each piece of information may be directly supplied to the air conditioning control unit 46, or may be temporarily stored in the storage unit 44 and then supplied to the air conditioning control unit 46. For example, if an occupant issues an instruction to control the air conditioning after the ignition switch 48 is turned off, the air conditioning control unit 46 controls the air conditioning based on the instruction. On the other hand, if an occupant issues an instruction to control the air conditioning after the ignition switch 48 is turned off and the temperature difference between the internal temperature and the external temperature of the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the air conditioning control unit 46 determines and controls the content of the air conditioning based on the difference between the temperature difference and the predetermined value. As an example of air conditioning control, for example, the air conditioning control unit 46 opens a window and activates the blowing function of the air conditioner. Alternatively, the air conditioning control unit 46 simply opens a window without activating the air conditioner. With regard to the above-mentioned "instructions on air conditioning control from the occupant," in addition to cases where the occupant gives a direct instruction, such as pressing a switch to operate the air conditioning system, instructions may also be given from the occupant when pre-air conditioning is set.

[0022] The air conditioning control performed by the control unit 12 will be further described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the vehicle control system. After the ignition switch 48 is turned off, for example, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 12 controls and operates the occupant detection unit 38 to detect the presence or absence of an occupant in the vehicle. When the control unit 12 detects an occupant in the vehicle (S10), it determines whether or not the air conditioning needs to be operated based on information detected by the various sensors 14 (for example, information detected by the external air temperature sensor 20 and the solar radiation sensor 34). When the air conditioning needs to be operated (for example, when it is expected that the inside of the vehicle will become hot based on the above information), the control unit 12 prompts the occupant in the vehicle to operate the air conditioning (S12). The method of prompting the occupant to operate the air conditioning in step S12 may be, for example, displaying characters, pronouncing sounds, turning on or blinking a lamp prepared in advance, or the like. Next, the control unit 12 determines whether or not there is an instruction for air conditioning control from the occupant (S14). If there is an instruction to control the air conditioning from the occupant (Yes in S14), the control unit 12 controls the air conditioning based on the instruction using the air conditioning control unit 46. On the other hand, if there is no instruction to control the air conditioning from the occupant (No in S14), the control unit 12 advances the process to step S18.

[0023] Next, the control unit 12 controls the temperature measurement unit 40 to calculate the temperature difference between the inside temperature and the outside temperature, and compares the temperature difference with a predetermined value (S18). The control unit 12 determines whether or not air conditioning control is necessary based on the comparison in step S18 (S20). If air conditioning control is not necessary (No in S20), control is not performed (S22). On the other hand, if air conditioning control is necessary (Yes in S20), the control unit 12 further checks information detected by the various sensors 14. Specifically, the control unit 12 checks information detected by the raindrop sensor 36 and information indicating a weather forecast for the current location of the vehicle obtained from the communication unit 42 via the Internet or the like (S24). The control unit 12 determines whether or not the window can be opened based on the information obtained in step S24 (S26). If the window can be opened (Yes in S26), the control unit 12 controls the air conditioning (i.e., opens the window) by the air conditioning control unit 46 (S28). On the other hand, if the windows cannot be opened (No in S26), the control unit 12 controls the air conditioning using the air conditioning control unit 46 (that is, the windows are not opened and only the air conditioner functions are operated) (S30).

[0024] The above description is merely an example, and the configuration of the vehicle control system disclosed in this specification may be changed as appropriate. The vehicle control system 10 may automatically operate the air conditioning according to the conditions inside and outside the vehicle so as to make the interior of the vehicle as cool as possible when there is an occupant in the vehicle after the ignition switch 48 is turned off and the occupant's intention to operate the air conditioning cannot be confirmed. Therefore, the information detected by the various sensors 14 and passed to the control unit 12 is not limited to the information described in the embodiment. In addition, for example, after the control unit 12 controls the air conditioning by the air conditioning control unit 46 in step S30 of FIG. 2, the control unit 12 may return to steps S18 and S20 again after a predetermined time has elapsed, and may compare the temperature difference with a predetermined value to determine whether or not the air conditioning needs to be controlled. [Explanation of symbols]

[0025] 10 vehicle control system, 12 control unit, 14 various sensors, 16 occupant detection sensor, 18 interior air temperature sensor, 20 exterior air temperature sensor, 38 occupant detection unit, 40 air temperature measurement unit, 42 communication unit, 46 air conditioning control unit.

Claims

[Claim 1] an occupant detection unit that receives information from a sensor that detects an occupant and detects the presence or absence of an occupant in the vehicle; a temperature measurement unit that receives temperature information measured by each of the internal temperature sensor and the external temperature sensor, calculates a temperature difference between the internal temperature and the external temperature, and compares the temperature difference with a predetermined value; an air conditioning control unit that receives an instruction for air conditioning control from the occupant and controls air conditioning inside the vehicle based on information from the occupant detection unit and the air temperature measurement unit; Equipped with After the ignition switch is turned off, the air conditioning control unit When the instruction is given, the air conditioning is controlled based on the instruction; When the instruction is not given and the temperature difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the content of the air conditioning is determined and controlled based on the difference between the temperature difference and the predetermined value. A vehicle control system comprising:

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