Vehicle heater control device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle heater control device capable of improving passenger comfort even when a vehicle interior temperature is high.SOLUTION: A vehicle heater control device 1 controls a drive state of a seat heater 23 based on a vehicle interior temperature Tc indicating an air temperature in a vehicle interior and a heater surround temperature Th indicating a temperature of an area surrounding the seat heater 23 heating a seat cushion 21 so that the heater surrounding temperature Th decreases as the vehicle interior temperature Tc increases when the vehicle interior temperature Tc is within a predetermined range.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there are known seats for vehicles such as automobiles that are provided with a heater disposed near the seat surface. The heater is provided with a heat-generating member such as a copper wire that generates heat when electricity is passed through it. In a seat provided with such a heater, when the temperature inside the vehicle cabin is low, the heat-generating member is made to generate heat to warm the seat surface, thereby increasing the temperature felt by the occupant.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a heater device that includes a heater for warming vehicle members that the driver touches, and operates the heater to warm the vehicle members before the vehicle use start time set by the driver. This heater device operates the heater to warm the vehicle members based on a target surface temperature calculated from the temperature inside the vehicle cabin and the surface temperature of the vehicle members, thereby increasing the temperature felt by the driver and improving the comfort of the driver. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-203704 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above-mentioned control of the vehicle heater, when the temperature inside the vehicle cabin is high, the vehicle occupant (driver) may feel uncomfortable when touching a vehicle member heated by the heater because the contact part is too hot. However, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 does not disclose specific details regarding the setting of the target surface temperature according to the temperature inside the vehicle cabin. For this reason, it is difficult to adequately deal with the discomfort felt by the occupant when the temperature inside the vehicle cabin is high, and there is room for improvement in terms of improving the comfort of the occupant.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and has an object to provide a vehicle heater control device that can improve the comfort of passengers even when the temperature inside the vehicle cabin is high. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle heater control device including a control means for controlling a driving state of the heater based on an interior temperature indicating the temperature of the air in the vehicle interior and a heater surrounding temperature indicating the temperature around a heater that warms vehicle components. When the interior temperature is within a predetermined range, the control means in this vehicle heater control device controls the driving state of the heater such that the higher the interior temperature is, the lower the heater surrounding temperature is. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the vehicle heater control device of the present invention, when the temperature inside the vehicle cabin becomes high, the temperature of the vehicle components heated by the heater is kept low, thereby improving the comfort of the occupants even when the temperature inside the vehicle cabin is high. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle heater control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example of a seat cushion in the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 4 is a graph showing an example of a temperature control characteristic referred to in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 5 is a graph showing changes over time in the temperature inside the vehicle compartment and the temperature around the heater in the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of heater control in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a graph showing an example of a temperature control characteristic referred to in the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 is a graph showing changes over time in the temperature inside the vehicle compartment and the temperature around the heater in the second embodiment. [Figure 8] 13 is a graph showing temperature control characteristics referred to in a modification related to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 13 is a graph showing temperature control characteristics referred to in another modification related to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] 13 is a graph showing an example of a temperature control characteristic referred to in the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 13 is a graph showing changes over time in the temperature inside the vehicle compartment and the temperature around the heater in the third embodiment. [Figure 12] 1 is a graph showing the relationship between temperature, humidity, and perceived temperature. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle heater control device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 13 is a graph showing an example of a temperature control characteristic referred to in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 15] 13 is a graph showing changes over time in the vehicle interior temperature, the vehicle interior humidity, and the heater surrounding temperature in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle heater control device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] 13 is a graph showing an example of a temperature control characteristic referred to in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle heater control device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [First embodiment] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle heater control device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In each of the drawings described below, the arrow F direction indicates the front in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the arrow U direction indicates the upper side in the vehicle vertical direction. The arrow R direction and the arrow L direction indicate the right and left when looking at the front of the vehicle from inside the vehicle cabin.

[0011] In FIG. 1, a vehicle heater control device 1 of the first embodiment controls the driving state of a seat heater 23 arranged in a seat 2 of a vehicle such as an automobile. The seat 2 includes a seat cushion 21 on which an occupant sits, and a seat back 22 arranged above the rear of the seat cushion 21 and supporting the upper body of the occupant seated on the seat cushion 21. The seat heater 23 spreads so as to cover a seat surface 21A of the seat cushion 21. The seat heater 23 can be manually turned on / off and its operation setting switched by an occupant using a heater switch (SW) 4 installed on an instrument panel 3 of the vehicle. In the first embodiment, the seat cushion 21 corresponds to the "vehicle member" of the present invention, and the seat heater 23 corresponds to the "heater" of the present invention.

[0012] An interior temperature sensor 5 is provided on the instrument panel 3 to detect the temperature Tc of the air inside the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as the "interior temperature Tc"). However, an air conditioning temperature sensor (not shown) mounted on the vehicle may also be used as the interior temperature sensor 5. A temperature sensor 6 is provided near the seat heater 23 to detect the temperature Th around the seat heater 23 (hereinafter referred to as the "heater surrounding temperature Th"). The heater surrounding temperature Th corresponds to the temperature of the seat surface 21A of the seat cushion 21. In the following, the temperature sensor 6 is referred to as the "seat surface temperature sensor 6" and will be described to be distinguished from the interior temperature sensor 5.

[0013] Here, a specific example of the seat cushion 21 in which the seat heater 23 and the seat surface temperature sensor 6 are provided will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example of the seat cushion 21. As shown in Fig. 2, the seat cushion 21 has a cushion material 211 on which the seat heater 23 is placed, and a cushion cover 212 that covers the cushion material 211 and the seat heater 23. A seat surface temperature sensor 6 is inserted between the seat heater 23 and the cushion cover 212.

[0014] The cushion material 211 is installed on the upper part of a cushion frame (not shown), has elastic properties, and serves as a base that forms the seat surface 21A of the seat cushion 21. The lower surface of the seat back 22 in an upright position is in pressure contact with the upper rear end of the cushion material 211 via the seat heater 23 and the cushion cover 212 (FIG. 1).

[0015] The cushion cover 212 is a trim that covers the cushion material 211, the seat heater 23, and the seat surface temperature sensor 6 from above (FIG. 2). The cushion cover 212 covers the upper part, front part, rear part, and both left and right sides of the cushion material 211. In other words, the seat cushion 21 is configured such that the seat heater 23 and the seat surface temperature sensor 6 are interposed at predetermined positions between the cushion material 211 and the cushion cover 212.

[0016] The seat heater 23 extends in the front-rear and left-right directions so as to cover the upper surface of the cushion material 211 (FIG. 2). A heating element made of a heater wire or the like is installed inside the seat heater 23. The heating element is disposed around the seat surface 21A of the seat cushion 21. The heating element heats the surroundings by receiving power from an on-board battery (not shown) via electrical connector wiring 23A.

[0017] The seat temperature sensor 6 is provided at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the seat heater 23. In the example of Fig. 2, the seat temperature sensor 6 is arranged at the rear center in the vehicle width direction on the upper surface of the seat heater 23, and the temperature on the side near the seat surface 21A around the seat heater 23 is detected by the seat temperature sensor 6. Note that the seat temperature sensor 6 may be installed independently on the seat surface 21A of the seat cushion 21.

[0018] The contact state of the heater switch 4, the vehicle interior temperature Tc detected by the vehicle interior temperature sensor 5, and the heater surrounding temperature Th (seat temperature) detected by the seat temperature sensor 6 are transmitted to a vehicle heater control device 1 in an instrument panel 3 via signal wiring in the vehicle (FIG. 1). The vehicle heater control device 1 of the first embodiment has, for example, a calculation unit (CALC) 11 and a heater output adjustment unit (ADJ) 12. In the first embodiment, the calculation unit 11 and the heater output adjustment unit 12 correspond to the "control means" of the present invention.

[0019] The calculation unit 11 calculates a target temperature Tt around the seat heater 23 (seat 21A) using each signal transmitted via signal wiring from the heater switch 4, the vehicle interior temperature sensor 5, and the seat temperature sensor 6. The target temperature Tt is a target value of the heater surrounding temperature Th detected by the seat temperature sensor 6. The target temperature Tt calculated by the calculation unit 11 is transmitted to the heater output adjustment unit 12.

[0020] The heater output adjustment unit 12 controls the driving state of the seat heater 23 by adjusting the value of the current output to the seat heater 23 in accordance with the target temperature Tt from the calculation unit 11. Note that the control of the driving state of the seat heater 23 is not limited to adjusting the value of the current output to the seat heater 23, and may be, for example, by adjusting the power supply time of the seat heater 23 or by changing the power supply frequency of the seat heater 23 using an inverter or the like. Changing the power supply frequency includes increasing or decreasing the frequency and shifting (delaying or advancing) the phase.

[0021] The calculation process of the target temperature Tt by the calculation unit 11 is performed according to a temperature control characteristic that predetermines the relationship of the target temperature Tt (target value of the heater surrounding temperature Th) to the vehicle interior temperature Tc. This temperature control characteristic basically specifies the relationship of the target temperature Tt to the vehicle interior temperature Tc that enables control such that the heater surrounding temperature Th becomes lower as the vehicle interior temperature Tc becomes higher when the vehicle interior temperature Tc is within a predetermined range. Function or map information that represents the temperature control characteristic is stored in a memory (not shown) of the calculation unit 11.

[0022] Fig. 3 is a graph showing an example of a temperature control characteristic in the first embodiment. The horizontal axis of Fig. 3 represents the vehicle interior temperature Tc, and the vertical axis of Fig. 3 represents the target temperature Tt (target value of the heater surrounding temperature Th). As shown in Fig. 3, the temperature control characteristic C1 in the first embodiment specifies a relationship in which the target temperature Tt monotonically decreases with respect to the vehicle interior temperature Tc at a constant rate of change when the vehicle interior temperature Tc is within a predetermined range from Xa to Xb (Xa≦Tc≦Xb).

[0023] Specifically, in the temperature control characteristic C1, when the in-vehicle temperature Tc is lower than Xa where the in-vehicle temperature Tc is outside the predetermined range (Tc < Xa), the target temperature Tt is set to be constant at Ya (Tt = Ya). Also, when the in-vehicle temperature Tc is higher than Xb where the in-vehicle temperature Tc is outside the predetermined range (Tc > Xb), the target temperature Tt is set to be constant at Yb which is lower than Ya (Tt = Yb < Ya). On the other hand, when the in-vehicle temperature Tc is within the predetermined range from Xa to Xb (Xa ≤ Tc ≤ Xb), when the in-vehicle temperature Tc rises by ΔTc, the target temperature Tt decreases by ΔTt (ΔTc > 0, ΔTt < 0), and a relationship is set such that the rate of change (ΔTt / ΔTc) is constant.

[0024] The lower boundary value Xa on the low-temperature side in the predetermined range (Xa ≤ Tc ≤ Xb) of the in-vehicle temperature Tc can be set to the lowest temperature assumed during vehicle use when developing the vehicle (for example, -30°C, etc.). Also, the upper boundary value Xb is preferably set to a temperature at which the occupants feel comfortable without being cold or hot (for example, 25°C, etc.). Furthermore, the upper limit value Ya of the target temperature Tt corresponding to the in-vehicle temperature Tc = Xa is preferably set to a temperature at which the occupants sitting on the seat 2 are less likely to suffer from low-temperature burns (for example, 45°C, etc.). Furthermore, the lower limit value Yb of the target temperature Tt corresponding to the in-vehicle temperature Tc = Xb is preferably set to a temperature equivalent to the human body temperature and at which the occupants do not feel coldness or heat when touching the seat surface 21A (for example, 36°C, etc.). However, the set values of these respective temperatures are not limited to the above example and can be appropriately changed according to the destination area, specifications, etc. of the vehicle.

[0025] Next, the control operation by the vehicle heater control device 1 of the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the time changes of the in-vehicle temperature Tc and the temperature Th around the heater in the first embodiment. Also, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of heater control in the first embodiment.

[0026] When heater control by the vehicle heater control device 1 of the first embodiment is started, first in step S10 of Fig. 5, the arithmetic unit 11 uses a signal from the heater switch 4 to determine whether the heater switch 4 is ON. If it is determined that the heater switch 4 is ON (YES), in step S20, the arithmetic unit 11 detects the vehicle interior temperature Tc using a signal from the vehicle interior temperature sensor 5. Here, the vehicle interior temperature Tc=X0 at time t0 when the driving of the seat heater 23 is started is detected as shown in Fig. 4. In addition, the heater output adjustment unit 12 sets the current value output to the seat heater 23 to a predetermined initial value.

[0027] In the next step S30, the calculation unit 11 determines a target temperature Tt=Y0 corresponding to the vehicle interior temperature Tc=X0 with reference to the temperature control characteristic C1 in Fig. 3. In step S40, the calculation unit 11 detects the heater surrounding temperature Th (seat temperature) using a signal from the seat temperature sensor 6. The heater surrounding temperature Th at the start of driving the seat heater 23 is approximately the same as the vehicle interior temperature Tc, X0, in the example of Fig. 5.

[0028] In step S50, the arithmetic unit 11 determines whether the heater peripheral temperature Th detected in step S40 is lower than the target temperature Tt (=Y0). If the heater peripheral temperature Th is lower than the target temperature Tt (YES), the process proceeds to step S60. On the other hand, if the heater peripheral temperature Th is not lower than the target temperature Tt (NO), the process proceeds to step S70.

[0029] In step S60, in response to the determination in the calculation unit 11 that the heater peripheral temperature Th is lower than the target temperature Tt, the heater output adjustment unit 12 increases the current value output to the seat heater 23. This controls the driving state of the seat heater 23 in a direction that increases the amount of heat generated, and the heater peripheral temperature Th rises and approaches the target temperature Tt. When the process of step S60 is completed, the process proceeds to step S100.

[0030] In step S70, the arithmetic unit 11 determines whether the heater peripheral temperature Th is higher than the target temperature Tt (=Y0). If the heater peripheral temperature Th is higher than the target temperature Tt (YES), the process proceeds to step S80. On the other hand, if the heater peripheral temperature Th is not higher than the target temperature Tt, that is, if the heater peripheral temperature Th is equal to the target temperature Tt (NO), the process proceeds to step S90.

[0031] In step S80, in response to the determination in the calculation unit 11 that the heater peripheral temperature Th is higher than the target temperature Tt, the heater output adjustment unit 12 reduces the current value output to the seat heater 23. This controls the driving state of the seat heater 23 in a direction that reduces the amount of heat generated, and the heater peripheral temperature Th drops and approaches the target temperature Tt. When the process of step S80 is completed, the process proceeds to step S100.

[0032] In step S90, in response to the determination in the calculation unit 11 that the heater peripheral temperature Th is equal to the target temperature Tt, the heater output adjustment unit 12 maintains the current value output to the seat heater 23. This controls the driving state of the seat heater 23 so that the amount of heat generated is constant, and the heater peripheral temperature Th is maintained equal to the target temperature Tt.

[0033] In step S100, the arithmetic unit 11 uses a signal from the heater switch 4 to determine whether the heater switch 4 has been switched OFF. If it is determined that the heater switch 4 is OFF (YES), in step S110, the heater output adjustment unit 12 sets the current value output to the seat heater 23 to 0 and ends the heater control. On the other hand, if the heater switch 4 remains ON (NO in step S100), the process returns to step S10, and the series of processes from step S10 to S90 are repeatedly executed to continue the heater control.

[0034] During the continuation of heater control, for example, as the in-vehicle temperature Tc changes with the passage of time t0, t1, t2... as shown on the lower side of FIG. 4, the temperature Th around the heater (seat surface temperature) changes as shown on the upper side of FIG. 4. Specifically, in the example of FIG. 4, while the time from t0 to t1 elapses, the in-vehicle temperature Tc rises from X0 to X1 (X0 < X1). In response to this rise in the in-vehicle temperature Tc, the target temperature Tt around the heater is lowered from Y0 to Y1 (Y0 > Y1) according to the temperature control characteristic C1 in FIG. 3. As a result, the in-vehicle temperature Tc rapidly rises from the ON of the heater switch 4 at time t0 (start of driving of the seat heater 23) and reaches the target temperature Tt (= Y1) at time t1 (FIG. 4).

[0035] At times t1 to t2, the in-vehicle temperature Tc continues to rise from X1 to X2 (X1 < X2), and the target temperature Tt around the heater is lowered from Y1 to Y2 (Y1 > Y2), so that the temperature Th around the heater drops from Y1 to Y2. On the other hand, at times t2 to t3, the in-vehicle temperature Tc once drops from X2 to X3 (X2 > X3), and the target temperature Tt around the heater is raised from Y2 to Y3 (Y2 < Y3), so that the temperature Th around the heater rises from Y2 to Y3.

[0036] Then, at times t3 to t4, the in-vehicle temperature Tc rises again from X3 to X4 (the boundary value Xb on the high-temperature side of the predetermined range described above) (X3 < X4 = Xb), and the target temperature Tt around the heater is lowered from Y3 to Y4 (the lower limit value Yb) (Y3 > Y4 = Yb), so that the temperature Th around the heater drops from Y3 to Y4. After the passage of time t4, the in-vehicle temperature Tc becomes constant at X4 (= Xb), and the target temperature Tt around the heater is maintained at Y4 (= Yb), so that the temperature Th around the heater stabilizes at Y4.

[0037] As described above, according to the vehicle heater control device 1 of the first embodiment, when the vehicle interior temperature Tc is within a predetermined range (Xa≦Tc≦Xb), the driving state of the seat heater 23 is controlled so that the heater surrounding temperature Th decreases as the vehicle interior temperature Tc increases. This makes it possible to prevent a situation in which a vehicle occupant feels that the contact part is too hot when the vehicle interior temperature Tc is high and the occupant comes into contact with the seat cushion 21 heated by the seat heater 23, thereby improving the comfort of the occupant.

[0038] [Second embodiment] Next, a vehicle heater control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, for example, when the operation setting of the seat heater 23 in the above-mentioned first embodiment can be switched to three levels, namely, "high temperature (Hi)", "medium temperature (Mid)" and "low temperature (Low)" using the heater switch 4, an application example will be described in which heater control corresponding to the operation setting of the seat heater 23 is performed.

[0039] In the vehicle heater control device 1 of the first embodiment described above, the arithmetic unit 11 sets the target temperature Tt around the heater corresponding to the vehicle interior temperature Tc by referring to one temperature control characteristic C1. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the arithmetic unit 11 sets the target temperature Tt around the heater corresponding to the vehicle interior temperature Tc by referring to three temperature control characteristics C21, C22, and C23 corresponding to the operation settings of the seat heater 23. Note that the configuration of the vehicle heater control device 1 in the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, except that the temperature control characteristics C21 to C23 referred to by the arithmetic unit 11 are different. Therefore, the following will mainly describe in detail the differences from the first embodiment.

[0040] 6 is a graph showing an example of temperature control characteristics C21 to C23 referred to by the arithmetic unit 11 in the second embodiment. The temperature control characteristic C21 shown by a solid line in FIG. 6 is referred to when the operation setting of the seat heater 23 is high temperature (Hi), the temperature control characteristic C22 shown by a dashed line is referred to when the operation setting of the seat heater 23 is medium temperature (Mid), and the temperature control characteristic C23 shown by a dashed line is referred to when the operation setting of the seat heater 23 is low temperature (Low). The temperature control characteristic C22 corresponding to the operation setting of medium temperature (Mid) specifies a relationship in which, as with the temperature control characteristic C1 in the first embodiment described above, when the vehicle interior temperature Tc rises by ΔTc within a predetermined range (Xa≦Tc≦Xb) of the vehicle interior temperature Tc, the target temperature Tt falls by ΔTt2 (ΔTc>0, ΔTt2<0), and the rate of change (ΔTt2 / ΔTc) is constant.

[0041] In contrast to the temperature control characteristic C22 with a constant rate of change (ΔTt2 / ΔTc), the temperature control characteristic C21 corresponding to the high temperature (Hi) operation setting specifies a relationship in which the absolute value |ΔTt1 / ΔTc| of the rate of change of the target temperature Tt relative to the vehicle interior temperature Tc gradually decreases as the vehicle interior temperature Tc decreases within a predetermined range (Xa≦Tc≦Xb). In other words, the temperature control characteristic C21 specifies a relationship in which the absolute value |ΔTt1 / ΔTc| of the rate of change gradually increases as the vehicle interior temperature Tc increases within a predetermined range (Xa≦Tc≦Xb). In other words, the temperature control characteristic C21 specifies a relationship in which the change in the target temperature Tt relative to the change in the vehicle interior temperature Tc monotonically decreases along an upwardly convex curve within the predetermined range (Xa≦Tc≦Xb) of the vehicle interior temperature Tc.

[0042] On the one hand, the temperature control characteristic C23 corresponding to the low-temperature (Low) operation setting stipulates that the absolute value of the change rate of the target temperature Tt with respect to the vehicle interior temperature Tc, |ΔTt3 / ΔTc|, gradually increases as the vehicle interior temperature Tc decreases within a predetermined range (Xa ≤ Tc ≤ Xb). In other words, the temperature control characteristic C23 stipulates that the absolute value of the change rate, |ΔTt3 / ΔTc|, gradually decreases as the vehicle interior temperature Tc increases within the predetermined range (Xa ≤ Tc ≤ Xb). That is, the temperature control characteristic C23 stipulates that within the predetermined range (Xa ≤ Tc ≤ Xb) of the vehicle interior temperature Tc, the change in the target temperature Tt with respect to the change in the vehicle interior temperature Tc monotonically decreases along a downward convex curve.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a graph showing the time changes of the vehicle interior temperature Tc and the temperature Th around the heater in the second embodiment. In the heater control in the second embodiment executed with reference to the three temperature control characteristics C21 to C23 as described above, in step S30 (FIG. 5) in the case of the first embodiment described above, when the arithmetic unit 11 determines the target temperature Tt corresponding to the vehicle interior temperature Tc, it uses the signal from the heater switch 4 to determine which of the high-temperature (Hi), medium-temperature (Mid), and low-temperature (Low) operation settings the seat heater 23 corresponds to, and refers to the temperature control characteristic corresponding to the determination result. The flow of the heater control in the second embodiment other than this is the same as that in the case of the first embodiment described above.

[0044] Here, the time change of the temperature Th around the heater will be described assuming that the vehicle interior temperature Tc shown in the lower part of FIG. 7 changes in the same manner as in the case of the first embodiment described above. In such a situation, when the temperature control characteristic C22 corresponding to the medium-temperature (Mid) operation setting is referred to, the temperature Th around the heater, similar to the case of the first embodiment described above, rapidly rises to Y12 from time t0 to t1, then decreases to Y22 from time t1 to t2 (Y12 > Y22), once rises to Y32 from time t2 to t3 (Y22 < Y32), and decreases to Y4 from time t3 to t4.

[0045] When the temperature control characteristic C21 corresponding to the high temperature (Hi) operation setting is referred to, the target temperature Tt = Y11 corresponding to the in-vehicle temperature Tc = X1 is set at time t1, the target temperature Tt = Y21 corresponding to the in-vehicle temperature Tc = X2 is set at time t2, and the target temperature Tt = Y31 corresponding to the in-vehicle temperature Tc = X3 is set at time t3 (Fig. 6). Each value Y11, Y21, Y31 of the target temperature Tt set with reference to these temperature control characteristics C21 is higher than each value Y12, Y22, Y32 of the target temperature Tt set with reference to the temperature control characteristic C22 corresponding to the medium temperature (Mid) (Y11>Y12, Y21>Y22, Y31>Y32). Therefore, the heater peripheral temperature Th (solid line in the upper part of Fig. 7) by the heater control with reference to the temperature control characteristic C21 corresponding to the high temperature (Hi) becomes higher than the heater peripheral temperature Th (dashed line in the upper part of Fig. 7) by the heater control with reference to the temperature control characteristic C22 corresponding to the medium temperature (Mid).

[0046] On the other hand, when the temperature control characteristic C23 corresponding to the low temperature (Low) operation setting is referred to, the target temperature Tt = Y13 corresponding to the in-vehicle temperature Tc = X1 is set at time t1, the target temperature Tt = Y23 corresponding to the in-vehicle temperature Tc = X2 is set at time t2, and the target temperature Tt = Y33 corresponding to the in-vehicle temperature Tc = X3 is set at time t3 (Fig. 6). Each value Y13, Y23, Y33 of the target temperature Tt set with reference to these temperature control characteristics C23 is lower than each value Y12, Y22, Y32 of the target temperature Tt set with reference to the temperature control characteristic C22 corresponding to the medium temperature (Mid) (Y13<Y12, Y23<Y22, Y33<Y32). Therefore, the heater peripheral temperature Th (dotted line in the upper part of Fig. 7) by the heater control with reference to the temperature control characteristic C23 corresponding to the low temperature (Low) becomes lower than the heater peripheral temperature Th (dashed line in the upper part of Fig. 7) by the heater control with reference to the temperature control characteristic C22 corresponding to the medium temperature (Mid).

[0047] In the second embodiment, the heater control executed with reference to the three temperature control characteristics C21 to C23 corresponds to the "multiple control modes" of the present invention. The heater control executed with reference to the temperature control characteristic C21 corresponding to high temperature (Hi) corresponds to the "first control mode" of the present invention, and the heater control executed with reference to the temperature control characteristic C23 corresponding to low temperature (Low) corresponds to the "second control mode" of the present invention.

[0048] In the heater control of the second embodiment as described above, when high temperature (Hi) is selected as the operation setting of the seat heater 23, it is considered that the occupant desires that the seat surface 21A of the seat cushion 21 be maintained in a warmer state. The temperature of the seat surface 21A tends to be lower as the vehicle interior temperature Tc decreases. For this reason, by controlling the driving state of the seat heater 23 with reference to the temperature control characteristic C21 that reduces the amount of decrease in the target temperature Tt according to the decrease in the vehicle interior temperature Tc, it becomes easier to maintain the seat surface around the seat heater 23 in a warm state, and the comfort of the occupant can be further improved. In addition, by performing heater control by switching the temperature control characteristics C21 to C23 according to each operation setting of medium temperature (Mid) and low temperature (Low) as well as the operation setting of high temperature (Hi), the temperature of the seat surface 21A can be appropriately adjusted according to the occupant's desire, and the comfort of the occupant can be further improved.

[0049] [Variation 1] Here, a modification related to the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, an example has been described in which heater control is performed with reference to three temperature control characteristics C21 to C23 that have different tendencies of increasing and decreasing the rate of change of the target temperature Tt relative to the vehicle interior temperature Tc within a predetermined range (Xa≦Tc≦Xb) of the vehicle interior temperature Tc. In contrast, in the first modification, as shown in Fig. 8, heater control is performed with reference to temperature control characteristics C21', C22', and C23' in which the target temperature Tt corresponding to the low-temperature boundary value Xa within the predetermined range of the vehicle interior temperature Tc is set to different values ​​Ya1, Ya2, and Ya3, and the target temperature Tt corresponding to the high-temperature boundary value Xb is set to a common value Yb.

[0050] Specifically, the temperature control characteristic C21' in the first modification has the same characteristic as the temperature control characteristic C1 of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 3. The target temperature Tt=Ya2 corresponding to the vehicle interior temperature Tc=Xa in the temperature control characteristic C22' is set lower than the target temperature Tt=Ya1 corresponding to the vehicle interior temperature Tc=Xa in the temperature control characteristic C21', and the target temperature Tt=Ya3 corresponding to the vehicle interior temperature Tc=Xa in the temperature control characteristic C23' is set even lower (Ya1>Ya2>Ya3). The target temperature Tt=Yb corresponding to the vehicle interior temperature Tc=Xb, which is common to each of the temperature control characteristics C21' to C23', is set lower than the target temperature Tt=Ya3 of the temperature control characteristic C23' (Ya3>Yb).

[0051] Depending on the differences in the set values ​​Ya1, Ya2, Ya3 of the target temperature Tt, the absolute value |ΔTt / ΔTc| of the rate of change of the target temperature Tt relative to the interior temperature Tc within a predetermined range of the interior temperature Tc (Xa≦Tc≦Xb) is smaller for temperature control characteristic C22' than for temperature control characteristic C21', and furthermore, is smaller for temperature control characteristic C23' than for temperature control characteristic C22' (|ΔTt1' / ΔTc|>|ΔTt2' / ΔTc|>|ΔTt3' / ΔTc|).

[0052] In the first modification in which heater control is performed with reference to the temperature control characteristics C21' to C23' as described above, when the operational setting of the seat heater 23 is high temperature (Hi), the temperature control characteristic C21' is referenced, when the operational setting of the seat heater 23 is medium temperature (Mid), the temperature control characteristic C22' is referenced, and when the operational setting is low temperature (Low), the temperature control characteristic C23' is referenced. By performing heater control by switching the temperature control characteristics C21' to C23' according to the operational setting of the seat heater 23 in this way, the heater surrounding temperature Th (seat temperature) can be appropriately adjusted in accordance with the desires of the occupant.

[0053] [Variation 2] In the above-mentioned variant 1, an example was shown in which the absolute value |ΔTt / ΔTc| of the rate of change of the target temperature Tt relative to the interior temperature Tc within a predetermined range (Xa≦Tc≦Xb) of the interior temperature Tc is different for each of the temperature control characteristics C21' to C23'. In contrast to this, in variant 2, as shown in FIG. 9, the characteristics of the temperature control characteristics C22" and C23" are modified so that the absolute value |ΔTt / ΔTc| of the rate of change in each of the temperature control characteristics C21", C22", and C23" is the same.

[0054] Specifically, in the temperature control characteristic C22'', the target temperature Tt corresponding to the low temperature boundary value Xa in a predetermined range of the vehicle interior temperature Tc is set to Ya2, and the target temperature Tt=Ya2 is maintained until the vehicle interior temperature Tc=Xc at which the target temperature Tt is equal to Ya2 in the temperature control characteristic C21". Similarly, in the temperature control characteristic C23", the target temperature Tt corresponding to the low temperature boundary value Xa is set to Ya3, and the target temperature Tt=Ya3 is maintained until the vehicle interior temperature Tc=Xd at which the target temperature Tt is equal to Ya3 in the temperature control characteristic C21". By switching between such temperature control characteristics C21"-C23" to perform heater control, the heater surrounding temperature Th (seat temperature) can be appropriately adjusted in accordance with the needs of the occupant.

[0055] In the above second embodiment and variants 1 and 2, an example has been described in which the operation setting of the seat heater 23 is switched by the occupant manually operating the heater switch 4, but the present invention is also effective in cases where the operation setting of the seat heater 23 is automatically switched using an auto mode or the like.

[0056] [Third embodiment] Next, a vehicle heater control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the above-described first embodiment, the temperature control characteristic C1 (FIG. 3) referred to in the control of the seat heater 23 has a characteristic that when the vehicle interior temperature Tc rises by ΔTc within a predetermined range (Xa≦Tc≦Xb) of the vehicle interior temperature Tc, the target temperature Tt falls by ΔTt and the rate of change (ΔTt / ΔTc) is constant. In contrast, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the driving state of the seat heater 23 is controlled by referring to a temperature control characteristic C3 in which the absolute value |ΔTt / ΔTc| of the rate of change of the target temperature Tt with respect to the vehicle interior temperature Tc changes from increasing to decreasing with respect to the change in the vehicle interior temperature Tc rising within the predetermined range (Xa≦Tc≦Xb). Note that the configuration of the vehicle heater control device 1 in the third embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, except that the temperature control characteristic C3 referred to by the arithmetic unit 11 is different.

[0057] Specifically, in the temperature control characteristic C3 shown by the solid line in Fig. 10, like the temperature control characteristic C1 (the two-dot chain line in Fig. 10) of the first embodiment described above, the target temperature Tt corresponding to the boundary value Xa on the low temperature side of the predetermined range of the interior temperature Tc is set to Ya, and the target temperature Tt corresponding to the boundary value Xb on the high temperature side is set to Yb. The temperature control characteristic C3 differs from the temperature control characteristic C1 in that the absolute value |ΔTt / ΔTc| of the rate of change of the target temperature Tt with respect to the interior temperature Tc tends to gradually increase with increasing change of the interior temperature Tc on the low temperature side within the predetermined range, and the absolute value |ΔTt / ΔTc| of the rate of change of the target temperature Tt with respect to the interior temperature Tc tends to gradually decrease with increasing change of the interior temperature Tc on the high temperature side within the predetermined range. In other words, the temperature control characteristic C3 has a characteristic in which, on the low temperature side within a specified range of the interior cabin temperature Tc, the change in the target temperature Tt in response to the change in the interior cabin temperature Tc monotonically decreases along an upward convex curve, and, on the high temperature side within the specified range of the interior cabin temperature Tc, the change in the target temperature Tt in response to the change in the interior cabin temperature Tc monotonically decreases along a downward convex curve.

[0058] In the temperature control characteristic C3 as described above, when the vehicle interior temperature Tc is in the range of Xa to Xc (the target temperature Tt is Ya to Yc), the vehicle interior temperature Tc is very low and the heater surrounding temperature Th (seat surface temperature) is likely to drop. Therefore, the change in the target temperature Tt in response to the change in the vehicle interior temperature Tc is made gentler to suppress the drop in the heater surrounding temperature Th, making it easier to maintain the seat surface 21A of the seat cushion 21 in a warm state.

[0059] Furthermore, in the range where the interior temperature Tc is Xc to Xd (the target temperature Tt is Yc to Yd), the interior temperature Tc is low and the heater surrounding temperature Th is still likely to drop. For this reason, the change in the target temperature Tt relative to the change in the interior temperature Tc is made somewhat gradual to suppress the drop in the heater surrounding temperature Th and make it easier to maintain the seating surface 21A of the seat cushion 21 in a warm state. However, compared to the range where the interior temperature Tc is Xa to Xc, the amount of change in the target temperature Tt relative to the change in the interior temperature Tc is greater, so it is possible to suppress the occupant from feeling that the seating surface 21A is too warm.

[0060] Furthermore, in the region where the interior temperature Tc is between Xd and Xe (the target temperature Tt is between Yd and Ye), the interior temperature Tc rises slightly. Therefore, the change in the target temperature Tt relative to the change in the interior temperature Tc is increased to prevent the occupant from feeling that the seat surface 21A is too warm.

[0061] In addition, when the vehicle interior temperature Tc is in the range of Xe to Xb (the target temperature Tt is in the range of Ye to Yb), the vehicle interior temperature Tc is high and the heater surrounding temperature Th (seat temperature) approaches the body temperature of the occupant. For this reason, the target temperature Tt is changed according to the change in the vehicle interior temperature Tc.

[0062] Fig. 11 is a graph showing the time variations of the vehicle interior temperature Tc and the heater surrounding temperature Th in the third embodiment. Here, too, the time variations of the heater surrounding temperature Th will be described assuming a situation in which the vehicle interior temperature Tc shown in the lower part of Fig. 11 changes in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above.

[0063] In such a situation, when the temperature control characteristic C3 is referred to, the temperature Th around the heater rapidly rises to Y1 from time t0 to t1 as shown by the solid line in the lower part of FIG. 11, then decreases to Y2 from time t1 to t2 (Y1 > Y2), once rises to Y3 from time t2 to t3 (Y2 < Y3), and decreases to Y4 from time t3 to t4. This time change of the temperature Th around the heater progresses on the lower temperature side compared to the time change of the temperature Th around the heater when the temperature control characteristic C1 is referred to in the above-described first embodiment (the two-dot chain line in FIG. 11). Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occupant from feeling that the seat surface 21A is too warm.

[0064] [Fourth Embodiment] Next, a vehicle heater control device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the fourth embodiment, an application example in the case of performing heater control taking into account the influence of the perceived temperature by humidity will be described.

[0065] Generally, as shown in FIG. 12, the relationship among the air temperature, humidity, and perceived temperature is such that when the air temperature is relatively low (about 10°C or less), the perceived temperature becomes lower as the humidity is higher, and the perceived temperature becomes higher as the humidity is lower. On the other hand, when the air temperature is relatively high (about 10°C or more), the perceived temperature becomes higher as the humidity is higher, and the perceived temperature becomes lower as the humidity is lower. Utilizing such a relationship among the air temperature, humidity, and perceived temperature, in the fourth embodiment, heater control is performed while switching the temperature control characteristic according to the humidity inside the vehicle.

[0066] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle heater control device 1 according to the fourth embodiment. Further, FIG. 14 is a graph showing an example of the temperature control characteristic referred to in the fourth embodiment. 13 and 14, the configuration of the vehicle heater control device 1 of the fourth embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that an interior humidity sensor 7 for detecting the humidity Hc of the air inside the vehicle compartment (hereinafter referred to as "interior humidity Hc") is provided on the instrument panel 3, and the temperature control characteristics C41, 42 referenced by the calculation unit (CALC) 11 are switched according to the detection result of the interior humidity sensor 7. Since the configuration of the vehicle heater control device 1 of the fourth embodiment other than the above is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used to denote corresponding elements and the description thereof will be omitted here.

[0067] The temperature control characteristic C41 shown by the solid line in Figure 14 is referenced when the vehicle interior humidity Hc is in a humid state exceeding a predetermined threshold value Hth, and the temperature control characteristic C42 shown by the dashed line in Figure 14 is referenced when the vehicle interior humidity Hc is in a dry state below the threshold value Hth.

[0068] Specifically, the temperature control characteristic C41 corresponding to the high humidity state, like the temperature control characteristic C3 of the third embodiment (FIG. 10), has a tendency that the absolute value |ΔTt / ΔTc| of the rate of change of the target temperature Tt with respect to the interior temperature Tc gradually increases with increasing change of the interior temperature Tc on the low side within a predetermined range, and has a tendency that the absolute value |ΔTt / ΔTc| of the rate of change of the target temperature Tt with respect to the interior temperature Tc gradually decreases with increasing change of the interior temperature Tc on the high side within a predetermined range. In other words, the temperature control characteristic C41 has a characteristic that the absolute value |ΔTt / ΔTc| of the rate of change changes from increasing to decreasing with increasing change of the interior temperature Tc within a predetermined range. In other words, the temperature control characteristic C41 has a characteristic in which, on the low temperature side within a specified range of the interior cabin temperature Tc, the change in the target temperature Tt in response to the change in the interior cabin temperature Tc monotonically decreases along an upward convex curve, and, on the high temperature side within the specified range of the interior cabin temperature Tc, the change in the target temperature Tt in response to the change in the interior cabin temperature Tc monotonically decreases along a downward convex curve.

[0069] On the other hand, the temperature control characteristic C42 corresponding to the dry state has a tendency that the absolute value |ΔTt / ΔTc| of the rate of change of the target temperature Tt with respect to the interior temperature Tc gradually decreases with respect to the rising change of the interior temperature Tc on the low side within the predetermined range, and the absolute value |ΔTt / ΔTc| of the rate of change of the target temperature Tt with respect to the interior temperature Tc gradually increases with respect to the rising change of the interior temperature Tc on the high side within the predetermined range. In other words, the temperature control characteristic C42 has a characteristic that the absolute value |ΔTt / ΔTc| of the rate of change of the target temperature Tt with respect to the interior temperature Tc changes from a decrease to an increase with respect to the rising change of the interior temperature Tc within the predetermined range. In other words, the temperature control characteristic C42 has a characteristic that the change of the target temperature Tt with respect to the change of the interior temperature Tc on the low side within the predetermined range of the interior temperature Tc monotonically decreases along a downward convex curve, and the change of the target temperature Tt with respect to the change of the interior temperature Tc monotonically decreases along an upward convex curve on the high side within the predetermined range of the interior temperature Tc.

[0070] The inflection points in the temperature control characteristics C41 and C42 overlap when the vehicle interior temperature Tc is Xc. The vehicle interior temperature Tc=Xc is set according to the temperature (about 10° C.) at which the relationship between the air temperature, humidity, and sensible temperature changes.

[0071] FIG. 15 is a graph showing changes over time in the vehicle interior temperature Tc, the vehicle interior humidity Hc, and the heater surrounding temperature Th in the fourth embodiment. The heater control in the fourth embodiment, which is executed with reference to the temperature control characteristics C41, C42 as described above, judges the magnitude relationship between the interior humidity Hc and the threshold value Hth using a signal from the interior humidity sensor 7 when the arithmetic unit 11 determines the target temperature Tt corresponding to the interior temperature Tc in step S30 (FIG. 5) in the case of the first embodiment described above, and refers to the temperature control characteristic corresponding to the judgment result. Other than this, the flow of the heater control in the fourth embodiment is the same as that in the case of the first embodiment described above.

[0072] Here, it is assumed that the vehicle interior temperature Tc is constant at X1 as shown in the lower part of the upper part of FIG. 15, and that the vehicle interior humidity Hc increases over time as shown in the lower part of FIG. 15, and exceeds the threshold value Hth at time t1. Note that the vehicle interior temperature Tc=X1 is higher than the vehicle interior temperature Tc=Xc corresponding to the inflection point of the temperature control characteristics C41, C42 (X1>Xc). In this situation, from time t0 to t1, the temperature control characteristic C42 corresponding to the dry state is referenced, and a target temperature Tt=Y2 corresponding to the vehicle interior temperature Tc=X1 is set. Then, after time t1 has passed, the temperature control characteristic C41 corresponding to the humid state is referenced, and a target temperature Tt=Y1 corresponding to the vehicle interior temperature Tc=X1 is set. The target temperature Tt=Y2 set before time t1 has passed is higher than the target temperature Tt=Y1 set after time t1 has passed (Y1 <Y2)。

[0073] Therefore, the heater surrounding temperature Th (the dashed line on the upper side of the upper part of FIG. 15) obtained by heater control referring to the temperature control characteristic C42 corresponding to dryness is higher than the heater surrounding temperature Th (the solid line on the upper side of the upper part of FIG. 15) obtained by heater control referring to the temperature control characteristic C41 corresponding to high humidity. As described above, when the vehicle interior temperature Tc=X1 (>Xc), the sensible temperature increases when the humidity is high and decreases when the humidity is low, so that the comfort of the occupants can be improved by performing the heater control according to the vehicle interior humidity Hc as described above.

[0074] In the fourth embodiment, an application example in which heater control is performed taking into account the effect of humidity on the sensible temperature has been described. However, the sensible temperature changes not only with humidity, but also with the volume and temperature of the conditioned air blown into the vehicle cabin. Therefore, it is possible to improve the comfort of the occupants by switching the temperature control characteristics referred to in the heater control according to the air conditioning state. In the fourth embodiment as described above, the heater control performed with reference to the temperature control characteristics C41 and C42 corresponds to the "multiple control modes" of the present invention. Moreover, the heater control performed with reference to the temperature control characteristic C41 corresponding to high humidity corresponds to the "third control mode" of the present invention, and the heater control performed with reference to the temperature control characteristic C42 corresponding to dryness corresponds to the "fourth control mode" of the present invention.

[0075] [Fifth embodiment] Next, a vehicle heater control device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the fifth embodiment, an application example will be described in which the target temperature Tt around the heater is changed based on the running state of the vehicle and the state of charge of the on-board battery.

[0076] Fig. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle heater control device 1 according to the fifth embodiment, and Fig. 17 is a graph showing an example of a temperature control characteristic referred to in the fifth embodiment. 16 and 17, the configuration of the vehicle heater control device 1 of the fifth embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that a vehicle information acquisition device (INFO) 8 is connected to the arithmetic unit 11, and the temperature control characteristics C51, 52 referenced by the arithmetic unit 11 are switched according to the vehicle information acquired by the vehicle information acquisition device 8. Since the configuration of the vehicle heater control device 1 of the fifth embodiment other than the above is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used to denote corresponding elements, and description thereof will be omitted here.

[0077] The vehicle information acquisition device 8 acquires vehicle information related to the driving state and the charging state of the vehicle battery from an ECU (not shown) mounted on the vehicle. The driving state includes the vehicle speed, acceleration, braking state, etc. The charging state of the vehicle battery may be expressed using parameters such as SOC (State Of Charge) and SOH (State of Health). The vehicle information acquired by the vehicle information acquisition device 8 is transmitted to the arithmetic unit 11 via signal wiring in the vehicle.

[0078] The computing unit 11 uses the vehicle information from the vehicle information acquisition device 8 to set a target temperature Tt corresponding to the vehicle interior temperature Tc by referring to the temperature control characteristic C52 (dashed line in FIG. 17) when, for example, the vehicle is in a driving state where the load on the vehicle battery is heavy, or when the values ​​of SOC, SOH, etc. are smaller than required reference values ​​and the remaining charge of the vehicle battery is low. The temperature control characteristic C52 is set to a target temperature Tt that is relatively lower than the temperature control characteristic C51 (solid line in FIG. 17) that is referred to in a normal driving state.

[0079] By changing the target temperature Tt based on the vehicle's driving state and the charge state of the on-board battery as described above, the operating time of the seat heater 23 can be increased, thereby further improving the comfort of the occupants.

[0080] In the above fifth embodiment, an example has been described in which the target temperature Tt is changed based on the vehicle's running state and the charging state of the on-board battery. However, it is also possible to change the target temperature Tt around the heater based on, for example, navigation information, road surface information, traffic congestion information, etc. received from a server outside the vehicle via a communication line.

[0081] [Sixth embodiment] Next, a vehicle heater control device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the sixth embodiment, an application example in which the heater surrounding temperature Th can be adjusted by controlling the driving state of a blower provided in the seat 2 will be described.

[0082] FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle heater control device 1 according to the sixth embodiment. In FIG. 18, the configuration of the vehicle heater control device 1 of the sixth embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment described above in that a fan adjustment unit (FAN ADJ) 13 capable of adjusting the driving state of the fans 24, 24' provided in the seat 2 is added, and the target temperature Tt set by the calculation unit 11 is provided to the fan adjustment unit 13 together with the heater surrounding temperature Th detected by the seat temperature sensor 6.

[0083] Specifically, the seat cushion 21 of the seat 2 in the sixth embodiment is provided with a blower 24 and an airflow path 25 in addition to the seat heater 23 and the temperature sensor 6 similar to those in the first embodiment. The blower 24 is disposed on the bottom surface of the seat cushion 21 opposite the seat surface 21A and faces the vehicle downwards. The blower 24 has a fan motor that can rotate forward and backward, and the rotation direction and rotation speed of the fan motor can be adjusted by the blower adjustment unit 13. The airflow path 25 is formed between the blower 24 and the seat surface 21A, and passes through the location where the seat heater 23 is installed. That is, the seat heater 23 is disposed on the airflow path 25 of the seat cushion 21.

[0084] In addition, the seat back 22 of the seat 2 is also provided with a seat heater 23', a temperature sensor 6', a blower 24' and an air flow path 25' similar to the seat heater 23, the temperature sensor 6, the blower 24 and the air flow path 25 on the seat cushion 21 side. The seat heater 23' extends so as to cover the backrest surface 22A of the seat back 22. A temperature sensor 6' is provided near the seat heater 23', and the temperature sensor 6' detects the temperature around the seat heater 23' and transmits the detection result to the calculation unit 11.

[0085] The blower 24' is disposed on the rear surface of the seat back 22 opposite to the backrest surface 22A, facing the rear of the vehicle. The blower 24' has a fan motor that can rotate in both forward and reverse directions, and the rotation direction and rotation speed of the fan motor can be adjusted by the blower adjustment unit 13. The airflow path 25' is formed between the blower 24' and the backrest surface 22A, and passes through the location where the seat heater 23' is installed. In other words, the seat heater 23' is disposed on the airflow path 25' of the seat back 22.

[0086] Furthermore, the instrument panel 3 in the sixth embodiment is provided with an air conditioning device (HVAC) 91 mounted on the vehicle. A part of the air (conditioned air) whose temperature and the like have been adjusted by the air conditioning device 91 is guided to an air duct 92 disposed below the seat 2.

[0087] The air duct 92 extends from the instrument panel 3 toward the rear of the vehicle, passes under the seat cushion 21 of the seat 2 while following the vehicle interior floor, and extends to the rear of the lower end of the seat back 22. A nozzle portion 92A is formed in the middle of the air duct 92 in the longitudinal direction. The nozzle portion 92A is configured to send air guided into the air duct 92 from the air conditioner 91 toward the blower 24 installed in the seat cushion 21. A rear end portion 92B of the air duct 92 is inclined upward toward the rear of the vehicle, so that the air that passes through the air duct 92 is blown out obliquely upward, and a part of the air is directed toward the vicinity of the blower 24' installed in the seat back 22.

[0088] In the vehicle heater control device 1 of the sixth embodiment as described above, similarly to the first embodiment, the calculation unit 11 sets a target temperature Tt corresponding to the vehicle interior temperature Tc, and the heater output adjustment unit 12 controls the driving states of the seat heaters 23, 23' in accordance with the target temperature Tt. In addition, linked to the heater control, the blower adjustment unit 13 controls the driving states of the blowers 24, 24' in accordance with the heater surrounding temperature Th detected by the temperature sensors 6, 6'.

[0089] In the case where the heater surrounding temperature Th becomes higher than the target temperature Tt for some reason, the blower control linked to the heater control can bring the heater surrounding temperature Th closer to the target temperature Tt by driving the blower 24, 24' to blow air around the seat heater 23, 23' or by drawing in air around the seat heater 23, 23'. In particular, since the air flow path 25, 25' is formed to guide the air blown by the blower 24, 24' to the periphery of the seat heater 23, 23', the heater surrounding temperature Th can be efficiently adjusted by the blower control. Furthermore, if the conditioned air sent from the air conditioner 91 through the air duct 92 is guided to the periphery of the seat heater 23, 23' via the blower 24, 24' and the air flow path 25, 25', the heater surrounding temperature Th can be adjusted even more efficiently.

[0090] The above describes the first to sixth embodiments and modifications of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned first to sixth embodiments and modifications, and various modifications and changes are possible based on the technical concept of the present invention.

[0091] For example, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments and variant examples, an example has been described in which the seat heaters 23, 23' provided in the seat cushion 21 or the seat back 22 are controlled, but the controlled object may also be a heater provided in a vehicle component that comes into contact with the occupant, such as an ottoman, footrest, headrest, armrest, steering wheel, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1...Vehicle heater control device 11...Calculation unit 12...Heater output adjustment unit 13...Blower adjustment unit 2. Seat 21…Seat cushion 22…Seat back 23,23'…Seat heater 24,24'...Blower 25,25'…Ventilation path 3. Instrument panel 4. Heater switch 5…Vehicle interior temperature sensor 6,6'...Seat temperature sensor 7…Vehicle interior humidity sensor 8…Vehicle information acquisition device 91...Air conditioner 92…Ventilation duct C1,C21~C22,C3,C41~C42,C51~C51...Temperature control characteristics Tc…Indoor temperature Th: Heater surrounding temperature Tt…Target temperature

Claims

1. A vehicle heater control device including a control means for controlling a driving state of a heater based on a vehicle interior temperature indicating a temperature of air inside the vehicle interior and a heater surrounding temperature indicating a temperature around a heater that warms vehicle members, The vehicle heater control device is characterized in that, when the vehicle interior temperature is within a predetermined range, the control means controls the driving state of the heater so that the heater surrounding temperature becomes lower as the vehicle interior temperature becomes higher.

2. 2. The vehicle heater control device according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the driving state of the heater so that the absolute value of the rate of change of the heater ambient temperature relative to the vehicle interior temperature gradually decreases as the vehicle interior temperature becomes lower within the predetermined range.

3. the control means is capable of setting a plurality of control modes having different tendencies of increase and decrease in a rate of change of the heater surrounding temperature relative to the vehicle interior temperature, The plurality of control modes include: a first control mode in which the driving state of the heater is controlled so that the absolute value of the rate of change gradually increases as the vehicle interior temperature becomes higher within the predetermined range; a second control mode in which the driving state of the heater is controlled so that the absolute value of the rate of change gradually decreases as the vehicle interior temperature increases within the predetermined range.

2. The vehicle heater control device according to claim 1.

4. 4. The vehicle heater control device according to claim 3, wherein the control means automatically switches between the plurality of control modes in accordance with an operation setting of the heater.

5. 2. The vehicle heater control device according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the driving state of the heater so that, when the vehicle interior temperature changes within the specified range, the absolute value of the rate of change of the heater ambient temperature relative to the vehicle interior temperature changes from an increase to a decrease, or from a decrease to an increase.

6. the control means is capable of setting a plurality of control modes having different tendencies of increase and decrease in a rate of change of the heater surrounding temperature relative to the vehicle interior temperature, The plurality of control modes include: a third control mode in which the driving state of the heater is controlled so that, in the rising change of the interior temperature within the predetermined range, the absolute value of the rate of change shifts from an increase to a decrease; a fourth control mode in which the driving state of the heater is controlled so that an absolute value of the rate of change of the interior temperature changes from a decrease to an increase in the increasing change of the interior temperature within the predetermined range.

2. The vehicle heater control device according to claim 1.

7. 7. The vehicle heater control device according to claim 6, wherein the control means automatically switches between the settings of the plurality of control modes in response to an interior humidity indicating the humidity of air inside the vehicle compartment.

8. 2. The vehicle heater control device according to claim 1, wherein the control means changes the target temperature around the heater based on a running state of the vehicle and a charging state of an on-board battery.

9. 2. The vehicle heater control device according to claim 1, wherein the control means is configured to be able to adjust the temperature around the heater by controlling a driving state of a blower provided in the vehicle member.

10. The vehicle heater control device according to claim 9, wherein the vehicle member is provided with an air passage for guiding the air blown by the blower to a periphery of the heater.

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