Vehicle

Abstract

To provide a vehicle which surely detects occurrence of fogging of an antifogging film regardless of a degree of deterioration of an antifogging film, and can remove fogging with high energy efficiency.SOLUTION: Water absorbing antifogging films are stacked in an in-cabin side face 11a of a front window shield 11. A thin film part 131 thinner compared to a normal film thickness part in other region is stacked in a partial region. A pair of electrodes 132 and 133 is joined to an in-cabin side face of the thin film part 131 at intervals. An electric resistance value between the electrodes 132 and 133 is changed by a water absorption amount to the thin film part 131. A controller determines that fogging is generated in the thin film part 131 on the basis of the electric resistance value, and estimates a water retention amount of the thin film part 131 at that time as a full amount. The controller compares the full amount with a past full amount, and estimates a degree of deterioration of the thin film part 131. Furthermore, the controller corrects a full amount of the normal film thickness part in the periphery, based on the degree of deterioration of the thin film part 131.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle, and more particularly to an air conditioning control technique that takes into consideration the deterioration over time of a water-absorbent anti-fogging film laminated on the inside surface of a window. [Background technology]

[0002] In a vehicle, it is important for safety to prevent fogging of windows such as the front windshield to ensure visibility. In order to prevent fogging of the window, a water-absorbent anti-fogging film may be laminated on the inside surface of the window. The water-absorbent anti-fogging film has the function of absorbing moisture into the film to prevent the surface from fogging.

[0003] However, even when a water-absorbent anti-fog film is laminated onto the inside surface of the window in this manner, once the amount of water absorbed by the anti-fog film exceeds a specified amount (full amount), the film will not be able to retain any more moisture, and condensation will adhere to the film surface, causing fogging.

[0004] A technique for suppressing fogging on a window formed by laminating the above-mentioned water-absorbent anti-fogging film is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the saturated water vapor amount corresponding to the surface temperature of the anti-fogging film surface and the saturated water vapor amount corresponding to the temperature in the vehicle cabin are calculated based on the surface temperature of the anti-fogging film, the temperature in the vehicle cabin, and a saturated water vapor amount map, and a threshold value is set as the ratio between them. In addition, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the humidity in the vehicle cabin is corrected to a corrected humidity of the anti-fogging film based on the moisture content of the anti-fogging film, and when this corrected humidity reaches or exceeds the threshold value, the air conditioner is operated to dehumidify the anti-fogging film.

[0005] The corrected humidity in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is calculated using a constant corresponding to the water absorption performance of the anti-fogging film. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-26046 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The anti-fog film laminated on the inside surface of the window deteriorates over time when exposed to high temperatures and ultraviolet rays, and as a result, the amount of water that the surface can absorb decreases just before it fogs up.

[0008] In contrast, the technology disclosed in the above Patent Document 1 does not take into account the factor of deterioration of the anti-fogging film over time, so even if the corrected humidity is calculated using the above method and compared with the threshold value, fogging may occur before the defroster is operated. Specifically, in the technology disclosed in the above Patent Document 1, as described above, the corrected humidity used in determining whether to operate the air conditioner is calculated using a constant corresponding to the water absorption performance of the anti-fogging film, but the deterioration of the anti-fogging film over time is not taken into account, and the corrected humidity is calculated using a constant regardless of deterioration. Therefore, if the anti-fogging film deteriorates over time and its water absorption performance decreases, fogging may occur before the corrected humidity reaches or exceeds the threshold value.

[0009] From the viewpoint of preventing fogging of the windows, it is possible to run the vehicle while constantly dehumidifying the windows with the air conditioner in the outside air introduction mode, but constantly operating the air conditioner in the outside air introduction mode results in low energy efficiency. For example, in cold regions or in winter where the outside air temperature is low, low-temperature, low-humidity outside air is introduced to defog the windows, but in this case, it is necessary to heat the introduced outside air so that the temperature inside the vehicle cabin does not drop too much. In this way, when heating the introduced outside air, a vehicle equipped with an engine can use the exhaust heat from the engine, but an electric vehicle (BEV) that does not have an engine and is driven by an electric motor needs to use the power of the battery to generate heat and heat the outside air. Therefore, in cold regions or in winter, it is difficult to constantly dehumidify the windows (anti-fogging film).

[0010] The present invention has been made to solve the problems described above, and aims to provide a vehicle that can reliably detect the occurrence of fogging on an anti-fogging film regardless of the degree of deterioration of the anti-fogging film, and can remove fogging with high energy efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention includes a window that separates the inside and outside of a vehicle compartment, a water-absorbent anti-fogging film laminated on an interior side surface of the window on the inside of the vehicle compartment side, a detection unit that detects an electrical characteristic amount of the anti-fogging film, and a deterioration estimation unit that estimates a degree of deterioration of the anti-fogging film related to a decrease in a full tank amount, which is a maximum amount of water that the anti-fogging film can hold. The deterioration estimation unit performs a process of determining that fogging has occurred on the anti-fogging film based on detection information obtained from the detection unit, and a process of estimating the degree of fogging on the anti-fogging film based on the detection information obtained from the detection unit. The system performs the following processes: estimating the amount of water retention in the anti-fogging film when fogging occurs or immediately before fogging occurs, and estimating the estimated water retention amount as the full tank amount of the anti-fogging film; storing information about the estimated full tank amount in a memory unit; and retrieving past information about the full tank amount from the memory unit and comparing the past information with the information about the estimated full tank amount.The system estimates the degree of deterioration of the anti-fogging film, and performs a process of correcting the full tank amount of the anti-fogging film based on the estimated degree of deterioration.

[0012] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the deterioration estimation unit estimates the deterioration degree of the anti-fogging film by comparing the full tank amount at or immediately before the occurrence of fogging with the full tank amount related to the past information.The deterioration estimation unit then corrects the full tank amount at or immediately before the occurrence of fogging in the anti-fogging film based on the estimated deterioration degree.Therefore, in the vehicle according to the above aspect, since the full tank amount of the anti-fogging film is corrected based on the deterioration degree estimated by the deterioration estimation unit, it is possible to perform window dehumidification based on the corrected full tank amount, and even if the full tank amount of the anti-fogging film decreases due to deterioration over time, it is possible to remove fogging from the anti-fogging film in a timely manner.

[0013] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the detection unit may include a pair of electrodes joined to the interior surface of the anti-fogging film at a distance from each other, and a power supply unit that supplies power between the pair of electrodes, and the deterioration estimation unit may perform a process of calculating an electrical resistance value between the pair of electrodes based on detection information from the detection unit, and determine that fogging has occurred on the anti-fogging film based on a change in the electrical resistance value, and estimate the amount of water retention of the anti-fogging film at the time fogging occurred on the anti-fogging film or immediately before fogging occurred.

[0014] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the electrical resistance value between the electrodes joined on the anti-fogging film is set as an electrical feature, and the deterioration estimation unit uses the electrical resistance value to determine whether the anti-fogging film has fogging and to estimate the amount of water retention at or immediately before the occurrence of fogging. Therefore, the deterioration estimation unit can estimate the degree of deterioration of the anti-fogging film with high accuracy based on the extent to which the amount of water retention of the anti-fogging film at or immediately before the occurrence of fogging has decreased compared to the past.

[0015] In the vehicle of the above-mentioned aspect, each of the pair of electrodes may be a long conductor extending parallel to each other on the interior side of the anti-fogging film, and at least one of the pair of electrodes may have a power supply path connected to both longitudinal ends so that a current flows between one end and the other end of the electrode.

[0016] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, at least one of the pair of electrodes has a power supply path connected to both ends, so that the electrode generates heat due to the current flowing between one end and the other end of the electrode due to the supplied power. This is advantageous in removing fogging at the location where the electrode is located on the anti-fogging film and its surrounding area. If a switching unit is provided on one of the power supply paths connected to both ends of the electrodes and the power supply path is configured to be connectable and disconnectable, it becomes possible to supply power to the at least one electrode to generate heat at or just before the anti-fogging film starts to fog up, which is excellent in terms of energy saving.

[0017] In the vehicle relating to the above-mentioned aspect, a long-shaped another electrode separate from the pair of electrodes may be provided on the interior side of the anti-fogging film, and a power supply path may be connected to both longitudinal ends of the another electrode so that a current flows between one end and the other end of the another electrode.

[0018] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, since the power supply path is connected to both ends of the other electrode, heat is generated by the current flowing between one end and the other end of the other electrode due to the supplied power. Therefore, it is advantageous in removing fogging at the location of the other electrode and its surrounding area in the anti-fogging film. Note that, in this aspect as well, if a switching unit is provided in one of the power supply paths connected to both ends of the other electrode, and the power supply path can be disconnected, it becomes possible to supply power to the other electrode to generate heat at or just before the anti-fogging film starts to fog up, which is excellent in terms of energy saving.

[0019] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the pair of electrodes may each have a comb shape, and may be arranged such that the comb teeth of one of the pair of electrodes enter into the gap between the comb teeth of the other of the pair of electrodes.

[0020] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, each of the pair of electrodes has a comb shape and is arranged such that the comb teeth of one electrode enter the gap between the comb teeth of the other electrode, so that the opposing area of ​​the electrodes can be made large while keeping the area occupied by the pair of electrodes small. Therefore, in the vehicle according to the above aspect, the amount of water absorption of the second anti-fogging film can be detected with high accuracy.

[0021] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the detection unit may further have an electrode other than the pair of electrodes provided within the anti-fogging film or at the boundary between the anti-fogging film and the windshield, the power supply unit may also supply the power between one of the pair of electrodes and the other electrode, the voltage detection unit may also detect the voltage between the one electrode and the other electrode, and the deterioration estimation unit may execute a process of calculating an electrical resistance value between the one electrode and the other electrode, and a process of calculating the electrical resistance value between the pair of electrodes by referring to the electrical resistance value between the one electrode and the other electrode.

[0022] In the vehicle of the above-mentioned embodiment, the other electrode is arranged at the boundary between the anti-fog film and the windshield, and the electrical resistance value between the pair of electrodes is calculated by referring to the electrical resistance value between one of the pair of electrodes and the other electrode, which is advantageous in calculating the electrical resistance value between the pair of electrodes with high accuracy.

[0023] In the vehicle of the above-mentioned aspect, the deterioration estimation unit may estimate that the point at which the degree of change in the electrical resistance value between the pair of electrodes in response to the amount of water absorbed by the anti-fogging film changes is the point at which the water retention amount of the anti-fogging film reaches the full amount.

[0024] In the vehicle of the above-described embodiment, the point at which the degree of change in electrical resistance value relative to the amount of water absorbed changes is estimated to be the point at which the anti-fogging film's water retention capacity reaches full capacity (the point at which fogging begins), so that the point at which the anti-fogging film's water retention capacity reaches full capacity can be determined with high accuracy regardless of the degree of deterioration of the anti-fogging film over time.

[0025] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the detection unit may include a pair of electrodes joined to the interior surface of the anti-fogging film at a distance from each other, and a power supply unit that supplies power between the pair of electrodes, and the deterioration estimation unit may perform a process of calculating a capacitance value between the pair of electrodes based on detection information from the detection unit, and determine that fogging has occurred on the anti-fogging film based on a change in the capacitance value, and estimate the amount of water retention of the anti-fogging film at the time fogging occurred on the anti-fogging film or immediately before fogging occurred.

[0026] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the capacitance value between the electrodes joined on the anti-fogging film is set as an electrical characteristic amount, and the deterioration estimation unit uses the capacitance value to determine whether the anti-fogging film has fogging and to estimate the amount of water retention at or immediately before the occurrence of fogging. Therefore, the deterioration estimation unit can estimate the degree of deterioration of the anti-fogging film with high accuracy based on the extent to which the amount of water retention of the anti-fogging film at or immediately before the occurrence of fogging has decreased compared to the past.

[0027] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the detection portion may be attached to a portion of the anti-fogging film that is more susceptible to fogging than other areas.

[0028] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, since the detector is attached to a certain area of ​​the window where fogging is likely to occur as described above, it is possible to dehumidify the window including the other areas based on the state of the certain area that starts to fog up earlier than the other areas. Therefore, it is possible to start dehumidifying the window just before the other areas fog up, and high safety can be ensured with high energy efficiency.

[0029] In the vehicle relating to the above-mentioned aspect, the deterioration estimation unit may determine that fogging has occurred on the anti-fog film based on the occurrence of fogging in the partial region, and may estimate the degree of deterioration of the partial region based on the determination that fogging has occurred in the partial region, and may perform a process of correcting the fill-up amount in the other regions.

[0030] In the vehicle of the above aspect, the above-mentioned partial area that starts to fog up relatively early is monitored, and the degree of deterioration of the partial area is estimated at the time when fogging occurs in the partial area, and the fill-up amount of the other areas is corrected based on the estimated degree of deterioration. Therefore, the fill-up amount is corrected at a time before fogging occurs in the other areas, which is advantageous in suppressing fogging in the other areas.

[0031] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the vehicle may further include a surface temperature detection unit which detects the temperature of the interior side of the window, and a humidity detection unit which detects humidity near the interior side of the window, and the deterioration estimation unit may acquire detection information from the surface temperature detection unit and the humidity detection unit, and determine the occurrence of fogging based on the occurrence of fogging in the partial region, and when fogging is detected in the partial region, execute the following processes: calculating an initial water retention rate in the partial region; calculating an initial water retention amount in the other region using the initial water retention rate of the partial region and the full tank amount in the other region; and calculating the water retention amount of the other region by adding an integrated value which is an increment value for the water retention amount calculated from the amount of water vapor in the air in the vehicle cabin based on the detection information from the surface temperature detection unit and the humidity detection unit to the initial water retention amount, thereby calculating the water retention amount of the other region as the water retention amount of the anti-fogging film.

[0032] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, when estimating the deterioration degree of the anti-fogging film, the deterioration estimation unit sequentially stores information about the full tank amount in the partial region in the memory unit and executes a process of comparing the current and past full tank amounts in the partial region, so that the deterioration degree of the anti-fogging film can be estimated with high accuracy using the information about the full tank amount stored in the memory unit in chronological order. Therefore, in the vehicle according to the above aspect, the highly accurately estimated deterioration degree of the anti-fogging film can be used to accurately correct the full tank amount.

[0033] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the window may be a front windshield, and the partial region may be a region laminated to an outer periphery of the windshield.

[0034] In the vehicle of the above-mentioned aspect, the area laminated to the outer periphery of the windshield is the above-mentioned partial area of ​​the anti-fogging film, so that the detection unit attached to the partial area can be prevented from obstructing the driver's forward visibility.

[0035] In addition, in the case of the front windshield, fogging often starts from the outer periphery. Therefore, by disposing the detection unit on the outer periphery of the front windshield, it is possible to estimate the degree of deterioration of the anti-fogging film before the inner portion (other areas) starts to fog up, and it is advantageous in suppressing the occurrence of fogging by correcting the full tank amount of the other areas before the other areas start to fog up. Effect of the Invention

[0036] In the vehicle according to each of the above aspects, regardless of the degree of deterioration of the anti-fog film, the occurrence of fogging on the anti-fog film can be reliably detected and the fogging can be removed with high energy efficiency. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1] 1 is a view of a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the inside of a vehicle compartment as viewed forward. [Diagram 2] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a thin film portion laminated on the vehicle interior surface of a front windshield and its surrounding area. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a partial configuration of an air conditioning control system in a vehicle. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning control system. [Diagram 5] 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views showing the configuration of the thin film portion, where (a) shows the thin film portion in a dry state, (b) shows the thin film portion in a state where moisture has been absorbed into the film, and (c) shows the thin film portion in a state where fogging has occurred on the inside surface of the vehicle. [Figure 6] 11 is a graph showing the transition of the electrical resistance value between the electrodes when the thin film portion changes from a dry state to a cloudy state. [Figure 7]FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a method for calculating an initial water retention amount in a normal film thickness portion. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart showing an air conditioning control method executed by the controller. [Figure 9] 1 is a graph showing the change in water retention amount in a normal thickness portion over time. [Figure 10] 1 is a graph showing the change in electrical resistance between electrodes due to deterioration of an anti-fogging film over time. [Figure 11] 5 is a flowchart showing a method for correcting an initial water retention amount due to deterioration of the anti-fogging film over time, which is executed by a controller. [Figure 12] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a partial configuration of an air conditioning control system provided in a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a partial configuration of an air conditioning control system provided in a vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a partial configuration of an air conditioning control system provided in a vehicle according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a partial configuration of an air conditioning control system provided in a vehicle according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a partial configuration of an air conditioning control system provided in a vehicle according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a partial configuration of an air conditioning control system provided in a vehicle according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 13 is a graph showing a change in inter-electrode capacitance value accompanying deterioration over time of an anti-fogging film in an air conditioning control system provided in a vehicle relating to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a partial configuration of an air conditioning control system provided in a vehicle according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning control system according to a ninth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below except for the essential configuration.

[0039] In the figures used in the following explanation, "FR" indicates the front in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction, "RR" indicates the rear in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction, "LH" indicates the left in the vehicle's width direction, "RH" indicates the right in the vehicle's width direction, "UP" indicates the top in the vehicle's vertical direction, and "LO" indicates the bottom in the vehicle's vertical direction.

[0040] [First embodiment] 1. Vehicle 1 Configuration The configuration of a vehicle 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a view seen from inside a vehicle compartment 1a toward the front.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle 1 includes a seat 14 disposed at the front of the passenger compartment 1a, and an instrument panel 10 formed to extend in the vehicle width direction in front of the seat 14. A front windshield 11 is disposed in the area between the front end portion of the instrument panel 10 and the roof 1b. The front windshield 11 is a window that separates the inside and outside of the passenger compartment 1a.

[0042] A water-absorbent anti-fogging film is laminated on the interior side of the front windshield 11 (the surface facing the vehicle compartment 1a), which will be described later.

[0043] A rearview mirror 12 is disposed in the center of the vehicle width direction on the upper front side of the front windshield 11. A defroster outlet 1c is provided in the front end portion of the instrument panel 10. Air blown out from the outlet 1c flows upward along the interior side surface of the front windshield 11.

[0044] Furthermore, in the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment, a portion of the configuration of the air conditioning control system 13 is attached to a portion of the interior side surface of the front windshield 11. Specifically, a portion of the configuration of the air conditioning control system 13 is disposed in the upper left portion of the rearview mirror 12. The upper left portion of the rearview mirror 12 is selected as the location for disposing the air conditioning control system 13 because it is a position that is unlikely to obstruct the field of vision of the driver seated in the driver's seat disposed on the right side. Therefore, when the driver's seat is disposed on the left side, it is preferable that a portion of the configuration of the air conditioning control system 13 be disposed in the upper right portion of the rearview mirror 12.

[0045] 2. Configuration of Air Conditioning Control System 13 The configuration of the air conditioning control system 13 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 4. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the upper left portion of the front windshield 11 below the rearview mirror 12 and the surrounding configuration.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioning control system 13 includes a thin film portion 131 laminated on a partial area of ​​the interior side surface 11a of the front windshield 11, and a pair of electrodes (detection portions) 132, 133 joined to the interior side surface 131a of the thin film portion 131 with a gap G2 (e.g., 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm) between them.

[0047] A normal thickness portion 15 is laminated on the remaining area of ​​the interior side surface 11a of the front windshield 11 except for the above-mentioned partial area. Both the thin film portion 131 and the normal thickness portion 15 are formed of a water-absorbent anti-fogging film. The thin film portion 131 is formed so that the full tank amount, which is the maximum amount of water that can be held per unit area, is lower than that of the normal thickness portion 15, and is more likely to fog up than the normal thickness portion 15.

[0048] Specifically, in the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment, the thin film portion 131 has the same film quality as the normal film thickness portion 15 and has a film thickness T 131 is the thickness T of the normal thickness portion 15 15 It is formed to be thinner than

[0049] The thin film portion 131 is disposed with a gap G1 (e.g., 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm) between it and the surrounding normal thickness portion 15. The gap G1 is provided as a water blocking portion that prevents absorbed moisture from passing between the thin film portion 131 and the normal thickness portion 15.

[0050] Each of the pair of electrodes 132, 133 is made of a conductor (for example, a metal such as Cu or Al), and has a length of 20 mm to 40 mm in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG.

[0051] 3, a constant current circuit (power supply unit) 134 is connected to one end of each of the electrodes 132 and 133. In addition, a voltage detection unit 135 that detects the voltage between the electrodes 132 and 133 is connected between the connection wiring between the electrodes 132 and 133 and the constant current circuit 134.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 4, the air conditioning control system 13 further includes a window surface temperature sensor (surface temperature detection unit) 136, an absolute humidity sensor (humidity detection unit) 137 near the window surface, a controller (deterioration estimation unit) 138, and the air conditioner 16.

[0053] The windshield surface temperature sensor 136 is a sensor that detects the temperature of the interior side surface 11a of the windshield 11. The windshield surface vicinity absolute humidity sensor 137 is a sensor that detects the humidity in the vicinity of the interior side surface 11a of the windshield 11. The air conditioner 16 has a defroster function, and blows air from the air outlet 1c to dehumidify the windshield 11.

[0054] The controller 138 is configured to include a microprocessor including an MPU / CPU, an ASIC, a ROM, a RAM, etc., and a memory. The controller 138 executes firmware, etc., stored in advance in the memory, to estimate the degree of deterioration of the anti-fogging film (normal film thickness portion 15, thin film portion 131) based on various types of acquired detection information.

[0055] Specifically, the controller 138 has an initial water retention amount calculation unit 1381, a water absorption amount accumulating unit 1382, an electric resistance value calculation unit 1383, a full tank amount calculation unit 1384, a memory unit 1385, and a full tank amount correction unit 1386. The initial water retention amount calculation unit 1381 is a functional unit that calculates the initial water retention amount of the normal film thickness unit 15. The water absorption amount accumulating unit 1382 is a functional unit that increases or decreases an accumulated value calculated from the amount of water vapor in the air in the vehicle interior 1a with respect to the initial water retention amount.

[0056] The electrical resistance value calculation unit 1383 is a functional unit that calculates the electrical resistance value between the electrodes 132 and 133 from the current value of the power supplied by the constant current circuit 134 and the voltage value detected by the voltage detection unit 135.

[0057] The full tank amount calculation unit 1384 is a functional unit that calculates the full tank amount (maximum amount of water that can be held per unit area) of the thin film portion 131 based on the electrical resistance value. Note that the full tank amount is the amount of water that can be held at the time when the thin film portion 131 becomes cloudy or immediately before that.

[0058] The memory unit 1385 is a functional unit that stores the full amount of the thin film portion 131 over time from the past to the present. The full amount correction unit 1386 is a functional unit that estimates the degree of deterioration related to the full amount of the normal film thickness portion 15 by comparing the calculated full amount of the thin film portion 131 with the past full amounts, and corrects the full amount of the normal film thickness portion 15 based on this.

[0059] 3. Water absorption amount of the thin film portion 131 and electrical resistance value between the electrodes 132, 133 The relationship between the amount of water absorbed by the thin film portion 131 and the electrical resistance between the electrodes 132, 133 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 5(a), when the thin film portion 131 is in a dry state, the electrical resistance value between the electrodes 132, 133 is large. As shown by point P0 in Fig. 6, when the amount of water absorption is almost zero and the thin film portion 131 is in a dry state (when the amount of water absorption is W0), the electrical resistance value R between the electrodes 132, 133 is a very large value R0.

[0061] 5(b), in a state in which moisture MS is contained in the film of the thin film portion 131 due to water absorption, the presence of moisture MS in the film makes it easier for a current to flow between the electrodes 132, 133 than in the state shown in Fig. 5(a). Therefore, an electrical resistance value Rmin smaller than the value R0 is detected between the electrodes 132, 133.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 5(c), when the thin film portion 131 absorbs moisture exceeding the full tank amount, condensed water CW adheres to the surface (interior side) of the thin film portion 131, causing fogging. In this case, a current also flows between the electrodes 132, 133 on the surface of the thin film portion 131, and an electrical resistance value Rw is also detected. In this case, the electrical resistance value R between the electrodes 132, 133 is OVER is expressed by the following equation. (1 / R OVER ) = (1 / Rmin + 1 / Rw) (1)

[0063] As shown in FIG. 6, the relationship between the amount of water absorbed by the thin film portion 131 W and the electrical resistance value R between the electrodes 132 and 133 is as follows: BP ), the electrical resistance R changes from R0 to R BP It gradually decreases to.

[0064] On the other hand, when the water absorption amount W of the thin film portion 131 exceeds the full tank amount (water absorption amount W BP When the electrical resistance R is greater than R BP From R OVER That is, the degree of change in the electrical resistance value R between the electrodes 132, 133 changes depending on whether the water absorption amount W is equal to or less than the full tank amount or exceeds the full tank amount.

[0065] The controller 138 of this embodiment determines that clouding has occurred in the thin film portion 131 based on a change in the degree of change in the electrical resistance value R relative to the amount of absorbed water W shown in FIG.

[0066] 4. Method for estimating the amount of water retained in the normal thickness portion 15 A method for estimating the water retention capacity of normal thickness portion 15 using thin film portion 131 will be described with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Note that, although the reference numerals of the thin film portion and normal thickness portion are omitted in Fig. 7, "thin film portion" in Fig. 7 indicates thin film portion 131, and "normal thickness portion" indicates normal thickness portion 15.

[0067] As described above, the thin film portion 131 is formed to have a smaller full tank amount than the normal film thickness portion 15. For this reason, as shown in Fig. 7, the thin film portion reaches the full tank amount at an earlier stage than the normal film thickness portion 15. When the thin film portion reaches the full tank amount, water particles CW adhere to the interior side surface 131a, causing fogging.

[0068] As shown in Fig. 8, the controller 138 monitors whether or not fogging has occurred in the thin film portion 131 since the ignition was turned on (step ST1). Then, as shown in Fig. 7, if fogging has occurred in the thin film portion 131 (step ST1: YES), the controller 138 calculates the initial water retention of the thin film portion 131 (step ST2). Note that the initial water retention is the same for the thin film portion 131 and the normal film thickness portion 15, which are made of the same material.

[0069] Here, when the full capacity of the thin film portion 131 is F131 and the water absorption integral value is IV131, the initial water retention rate M131 of the thin film portion 131 is expressed by the following formula. M131=(F131-IV131) / F131 ·(2)

[0070] The initial water retention calculation unit 1381 of the controller 138 calculates the initial water retention amount of the normal thickness portion 15 based on the initial water retention rate calculated as described above (step ST3). The calculation of the initial water retention amount of the normal thickness portion 15 is performed based on the relationship between the initial water retention rate of the thin film portion 131 and the full amount of the normal thickness portion 15. Specifically, when the full amount of the normal thickness portion 15 is F15, the initial water retention calculation unit 1381 of the controller 138 calculates the initial water retention amount IW15 of the normal thickness portion 15 based on the following formula. IW15=F15×M131 (3)

[0071] Next, the water absorption amount calculation unit 1382 of the controller 138 calculates the amount of water vapor in the air in the vehicle interior 1a based on the detection information from the window surface temperature sensor 136 and the absolute humidity sensor 137 near the window surface, and calculates the amount of water absorption from the calculated amount of water vapor (step ST4).

[0072] The controller 138 estimates the amount of water retained in the normal film thickness portion 15 by executing the above-mentioned process.

[0073] 5. Defroster operation and water retention in normal film thickness section 15 The relationship between the operation of the defroster in the vehicle 1 and the amount of water retained in the normal film thickness portion 15 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0074] As shown in Fig. 9, in normal film thickness portion 15, the amount of water retention in the film increases and decreases starting from the initial water retention amount. When the defroster is not in operation, the amount of water retention in normal film thickness portion 15 gradually increases depending on the humidity in the vehicle interior 1a. Note that, although Fig. 9 illustrates the amount of water retention in normal film thickness portion 15 increasing and decreasing in a substantially linear relationship, there may be cases where the change is not necessarily linear due to changes in the amount of water vapor and temperature in the vehicle interior 1a.

[0075] As described above, the controller 138 estimates the amount of water retained in the normal membrane thickness portion 15 and issues a command to the air conditioner 16 to activate the defroster when the amount of retained water reaches the full tank amount or just before that.

[0076] When the defroster is operated, the amount of water retained in normal film thickness portion 15 gradually decreases to an amount of water retained that corresponds to the degree of dryness caused by the defroster (the humidity of the air blown out by the defroster). In vehicle 1, the amount of water retained in normal film thickness portion 15 increases or decreases depending on whether the defroster is activated or deactivated. In addition, by turning on the defroster, the amount of water retained in thin film portion 131 also gradually decreases to an amount of water retained that corresponds to the degree of dryness caused by the defroster.

[0077] 6. Estimation of deterioration level and correction of full tank amount The estimation of the degree of deterioration of the thin film portion 131 and the normal film thickness portion 15 by the controller (deterioration estimation unit) 138 and the correction of the full amount of the normal film thickness portion 15 based on the degree of deterioration will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

[0078] 10, the electrical resistance value R between the electrodes 132, 133 changes depending on the amount of water absorbed by the thin film portion 131. As described above, the degree of change in the electrical resistance value R changes at the point (points P1, P3) when the amount of water held by the thin film portion 131 reaches the full tank amount.

[0079] Here, in the initial undegraded thin film portion 131, as the amount of absorbed water W gradually increases from W0, the electrical resistance value R changes from a value R0 to R BP0 , and even R OVER (changes from point P0 to point P1 to point P2).

[0080] On the other hand, when the thin film portion 131 deteriorates over time due to exposure to ultraviolet light or high temperatures, the initial water absorption amount W BP0 Less water absorption than W BPx At this time, fogging occurs (point P3). That is, when the thin film portion 131 deteriorates with age, the full tank amount of the thin film portion 131 decreases. When the thin film portion 131 deteriorates with age in this manner, the water retention amount reaches the full tank amount (point P3) earlier than in the initial stage, and the degree of change in the electrical resistance value R from point P3 to point P4 changes relative to the degree of change from point P0 to point P3.

[0081] When the thin film portion 131 deteriorates over time, it is considered that the normal thickness portion 15 also deteriorates over time in a similar manner.

[0082] In this embodiment, the degree of deterioration of the thin film portion 131 and the normal film thickness portion 15 is estimated based on the change in the full amount in the thin film portion 131 (the change in the amount of water retained at the time when fogging occurs), and the full amount of the normal film thickness portion 15 is corrected based on the estimated degree of deterioration.

[0083] 11, when the ignition is turned on, the controller 138 starts acquiring detection information from the voltage detection unit 135 (step ST11). The electrical resistance value calculation unit 1383 of the controller 138 sequentially calculates the electrical resistance value R between the electrodes 132, 133 based on the detection information acquired from the voltage detection unit 135. While calculating the electrical resistance value R, the controller 138 determines whether or not fogging has occurred in the thin film portion 131 (step ST12).

[0084] When the controller 138 determines that fogging has occurred in the thin film portion 131 (step ST12: YES), the full tank amount calculation unit 1384 of the controller 138 calculates the water retention amount (full tank amount W BPx ) is calculated (step ST13).

[0085] The controller 138 reads from the memory unit 1385 the full tank amount W BP0 (step ST14). Then, the controller 138 reads out the information about the full tank amount W calculated in step ST13. BPx and the initial full tank amount W read in step ST14 BPx The controller 138 compares the measured value with the measured value to estimate the degree of deterioration of the thin film portion 131 (step ST15). The estimation performed by the controller 138 uses the change from point P1 to point P3 described with reference to FIG.

[0086] Based on the degree of deterioration estimated as described above, the full tank amount correction unit 1386 of the controller 138 executes correction of the full tank amount of the normal film thickness portion 15. In this case, the degree of deterioration of the thin film portion 131 and the normal film thickness portion 15 may be the same, or may be differentiated in consideration of the difference in the laminated region in the front windshield 11.

[0087] The controller 138 calculates the full tank amount W of the thin film portion 131 calculated in step ST13. BPx The information about this is associated with the execution date and time of this process and is additionally stored in the storage unit 1385 (step ST17).

[0088] In this manner, the controller 138 estimates the degree of deterioration and corrects (updates) the full tank amount of the normal film thickness portion 15. Note that such processing may be performed every time the ignition is turned on, and in addition, may be performed every time the defroster operation is stopped.

[0089] 7.Effects In the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment, the controller (deterioration estimation unit) 138 detects the full tank amount W BPx The full tank amount W related to the past information read from the storage unit 1385 BP0 to estimate the degree of deterioration of the thin film portion 131. Then, the controller 138 corrects the full tank amount in the normal film thickness portion 15 based on the estimated degree of deterioration. Therefore, in the vehicle 1, the controller 138 corrects the full tank amount of the normal film thickness portion 15 based on the degree of deterioration estimated by the controller 138, so that it is possible to dehumidify the front windshield 11 based on the corrected full tank amount, and even if the full tank amount of the anti-fogging film (thin film portion 131, normal film thickness portion 15) decreases due to deterioration over time, it is possible to timely remove fogging from the anti-fogging film laminated on the front windshield 11.

[0090] In the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, the electrical resistance value R between the electrodes 132, 133 joined on the vehicle interior side surface 131a of the thin film portion 131 is used as an electrical characteristic amount, and the controller 138 uses the electrical resistance value R to determine whether the thin film portion 131 has fogged up and to calculate the water retention amount (full tank amount W) at or immediately before the fogged up occurrence. BPx For this reason, the controller 138 estimates the full tank amount W BPx The degree of deterioration of the thin film portion 131 can be estimated with high accuracy based on the degree to which the thickness of the thin film portion 131 has decreased compared to the past (for example, the initial state before deterioration). This makes it possible to estimate the degree of deterioration of the normal thickness portion 15 as well.

[0091] In the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment, the points at which the rate of change in the electrical resistance value R with respect to the amount of absorbed water W changes (points P1 and P3 in FIG. 10) are defined as the points at which the amount of water retained in the thin film portion 131 reaches the full tank amount W BPx ,W BP0 Therefore, regardless of the degree of deterioration of the thin film portion 131 over time, the water retention amount of the thin film portion 131 is equal to the full water retention amount W BPx ,W BP0 The times P1 and P3 at which these values ​​are reached can be determined with high accuracy.

[0092] Furthermore, in the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment, the thin film portion 131 is laminated on the outer periphery of the front windshield 11 where fogging is likely to occur, and the electrodes 132, 133 are joined to the thin film portion 131, so that it is possible to dehumidify the front windshield 11 including the area where the normal thickness portion 15 is laminated, based on the state of the thin film portion 131, which begins to fog up earlier than the area where the normal thickness portion 15 is laminated. Therefore, it is possible to start dehumidifying the front windshield 11 just before fogging occurs in the area where the normal thickness portion 15 is laminated, and high safety can be ensured with high energy efficiency.

[0093] Furthermore, in the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment, the thin film portion 131, which starts to fog up relatively quickly, is monitored, and the degree of deterioration of the thin film portion 131 is estimated at the time when fogging occurs in the thin film portion 131, and the full amount of the normal thickness portion 15 is corrected based on the estimated degree of deterioration. Therefore, the full amount is corrected before fogging occurs in the area where the normal thickness portion 15 is layered, which is advantageous in preventing fogging in the portion where the normal thickness portion 15 is layered.

[0094] In the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, when estimating the deterioration degree of the thin film portion 131, the controller 138 stores the full tank amount W BPx The information on the amount of the full tank W in the thin film portion 131 is stored in association with the estimated date and time. BPx The full tank capacity W in the initial state before deterioration BP0 Since the process of comparing the full tank amount WBPx Using the information on the above, it is possible to estimate with high accuracy the degree of deterioration of the thin film portion 131. Therefore, in the vehicle 1, it is possible to accurately correct the full tank amount of the normal film thickness portion 15 using the degree of deterioration of the thin film portion 131 estimated with high accuracy.

[0095] Furthermore, in the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment, the thin film portion 131 is laminated on the outer periphery of the front windshield 11 (in this embodiment, as an example, the upper portion), so that the electrodes 132, 133 joined onto the interior side surface 131a of the thin film portion 131 can be prevented from blocking the driver's forward visibility.

[0096] Moreover, in the front windshield 11, fogging often starts from the outer periphery. For this reason, by laminating a thin film portion 131 on the outer periphery of the front windshield 11 and joining electrodes 132, 133 for detecting fogging to the thin film portion 131, it is possible to estimate the degree of deterioration of the anti-fogging film (thin film portion 131, normal film thickness portion 15) before the normal film thickness portion 15 laminated on other areas of the front windshield 11 starts to fogging, and correcting the full amount of the normal film thickness portion 15 before the normal film thickness portion 15 starts to fogging is advantageous in suppressing the occurrence of fogging.

[0097] As described above, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, regardless of the degree of deterioration of the anti-fogging film (thin film portion 131, normal film thickness portion 15), it is possible to reliably detect the occurrence of fogging on the anti-fogging film and remove the fogging with high energy efficiency.

[0098] [Second embodiment] An air conditioning control system 23 mounted on a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 shows only a schematic diagram of a portion of the configuration of the air conditioning control system 23 mounted on the vehicle. The same configuration as in the first embodiment is adopted for the configuration not shown in Fig. 12. Therefore, in the following, descriptions that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0099] 12, the air conditioning control system 23 has switching units 231, 232 in addition to the electrodes 132, 133, the constant current circuit 134, and the voltage detection unit 135. As in the first embodiment, the electrodes 132, 133 are each formed from an elongated conductor and are joined to the vehicle interior surface of the thin film portion so as to be parallel to each other.

[0100] One end of the electrode 132 is connected to the constant current circuit 134 by a wiring 235. The other end of the electrode 132 is connected to the other pole of the constant current circuit 134 by a wiring 236. The switching unit 232 is provided on the wiring 236, and performs connection and disconnection between the other end of the electrode 132 and the constant current circuit 134.

[0101] One end of the electrode 133 is connected to the constant current circuit 134 by a wiring 233. The other end of the electrode 133 is connected to the other pole of the constant current circuit 134 by a wiring 234. The switching unit 231 is provided on the wiring 234, and performs connection and disconnection between the other end of the electrode 133 and the constant current circuit 134.

[0102] It should be noted that the voltage detection unit 135 is connected to the wiring 233 and the wiring 235, as in the first embodiment, and detects the voltage between the electrode 132 and the electrode 133.

[0103] In the air conditioning control system 23 of this embodiment, when the switching unit 231 is in a connected state, a current flows between one end and the other end of the electrode 133, which causes the electrode 133 to heat up. Similarly, when the switching unit 232 is in a connected state, a current flows between one end and the other end of the electrode 132, which causes the electrode 132 to heat up.

[0104] In this embodiment, the circuit configuration for the electrodes 132, 133 joined to the vehicle interior side surface of the thin film portion is different from that of the first embodiment described above, but the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, so that the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained in this embodiment as well.

[0105] Furthermore, in the air conditioning control system 23 of this embodiment, the electrodes 132, 133 can be heated by connecting the switching units 231, 232. Therefore, when fogging occurs in the thin film portion, the electrodes 132, 133 can be heated by connecting the switching units 231, 232, thereby promoting dehumidification of the thin film portion and the surrounding normal film thickness portion.

[0106] Although the switching units 231 and 232 are not essential components, it is desirable to include them as components from the viewpoint of energy saving of the vehicle. In other words, it is desirable to make it possible to heat the electrodes 132 and 133 only when necessary.

[0107] [Third embodiment] An air conditioning control system 33 mounted on a vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 shows only a schematic diagram of a portion of the configuration of the air conditioning control system 33 mounted on the vehicle. The same configuration as in the first embodiment is adopted for the configuration not shown in Fig. 13. Therefore, in the following, descriptions that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0108] 13, the air conditioning control system 23 has an electrode 332 and a switching unit 331 in addition to the electrodes 132 and 133, the constant current circuit 134, and the voltage detection unit 135. Note that the shape of the electrode 332 in plan view is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, as an example, the electrode 332 is an elongated electrode.

[0109] One end of the electrode 332 is connected to the constant current circuit 134 by a wiring 333. The other end of the electrode 332 is connected to the other pole of the constant current circuit 134 by a wiring 334. The switching unit 331 is provided on the wiring 334, and performs connection and disconnection between the other end of the electrode 332 and the constant current circuit 134.

[0110] This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, in addition to electrodes 132 and 133, an electrode 332 is arranged on the vehicle interior side of the thin film portion. However, the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, so that the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained with this embodiment as well.

[0111] In the air conditioning control system 33 of this embodiment, the electrodes 132, 133 are provided as electrodes for calculating the electrical resistance value R as in the first embodiment, and the electrode 332 is provided as an electrode capable of generating heat to promote dehumidification. That is, when the switching unit 331 is in a connected state, a current flows between one end and the other end of the electrode 332, which causes the electrode 332 to generate heat, thereby promoting dehumidification of the thin film portion and its surroundings.

[0112] Although the switching unit 331 is not an essential component, it is desirable to include it as a component from the viewpoint of energy saving of the vehicle. In other words, it is desirable to make it possible to heat the electrode 332 only when necessary.

[0113] Moreover, the electrode 332 does not necessarily have to be joined to the vehicle interior surface of the thin film portion. In other words, it is sufficient that the electrode 332 is disposed so as to generate heat as necessary and transmit the heat to the thin film portion and its surroundings.

[0114] [Fourth embodiment] An air conditioning control system 43 mounted on a vehicle according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 shows only a schematic diagram of a portion of the configuration of the air conditioning control system 43 mounted on the vehicle. The same configuration as in the first embodiment is adopted for the configuration not shown in Fig. 14. Therefore, in the following, descriptions that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0115] 14, in the air conditioning control system 43, one end of one of the electrodes 132, 133 (in this embodiment, the electrode 132 as an example) is connected to one pole of a constant current circuit, and the other end is connected to the other pole of the constant current circuit 134 by a wiring 431. Therefore, in this embodiment, during the period when the constant current circuit 134 is operating, a current flows between one end and the other end of the electrode 132, and the electrode 132 generates heat.

[0116] In this embodiment, the circuit configuration for the electrodes 132, 133 joined to the vehicle interior side surface of the thin film portion is different from that of the first embodiment described above, but the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, so that the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained in this embodiment as well.

[0117] Furthermore, in the air conditioning control system 43 of this embodiment, the electrode 132 generates heat upon receiving power supply from the constant current circuit 134, so that defogging can be promoted at the portion where the electrode 132 is joined and its surroundings.

[0118] [Fifth embodiment] An air conditioning control system 53 mounted on a vehicle according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 shows only a schematic diagram of a portion of the configuration of the air conditioning control system 53 mounted on the vehicle. The same configuration as in the first embodiment is adopted for the configuration not shown in Fig. 15. Therefore, in the following, descriptions that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0119] As shown in Figure 15, in the vehicle of this embodiment, the front windshield 11 is equipped with thin film coating portions 11c in which thin film portions 131 are laminated on the outer periphery of each of the left and right sides, and normal film coating portions 11b in which normal film thickness portions 15 are laminated between the thin film coating portions 11c in the vehicle width direction.

[0120] Air conditioning control system 53 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of electrode pairs 532(1)-532(N), 533(1)-533(N) and circuits 534(1)-534(N) connected to each of electrode pairs 532(1)-532(N), 533(1)-533(N). Of the plurality of electrode pairs 532(1)-532(N), 533(1)-533(N), electrode pairs 532(1)-532(N / 2), 533(1)-533(N / 2) are joined to thin film portion 131 laminated on the left portion of front windshield 11. The remaining electrode pairs 532((N / 2)+1) to 532(N) and 533((N / 2)+1) to 533(N) are joined to a thin film portion 131 laminated on the right side portion of the front windshield 11.

[0121] Each of the circuits 534(1) to 534(N) includes a constant current circuit and a voltage detection unit. The voltage detection unit of each of the circuits 534(1) to 534(N) transmits detection information to the controller.

[0122] In the air conditioning control system 53 of this embodiment, based on detection information from each circuit 534(1) to 534(N), an electrical resistance value calculation unit of the controller calculates the electrical resistance value of each part in the thin film portion 131. Then, the controller determines the occurrence of fogging for each part of the thin film portion 131 from the calculated electrical resistance value, and calculates the full tank amount at or immediately before the occurrence of fogging.

[0123] The controller, having calculated the full tank amount as described above, compares it with past information regarding the full tank amount to estimate the degree of deterioration, and corrects the full tank amount of the normal thickness portion 15.

[0124] In estimating the degree of deterioration, weighting may be performed for each portion of thin film portion 131 where electrode pairs 532(1)-532(N) and 533(1)-533(N) are joined, or a calculation average may be performed to execute the process.

[0125] This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a plurality of electrode pairs 532(1)-532(N), 533(1)-533(N) are joined to thin film portion 131. However, the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore this embodiment can also provide the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0126] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the occurrence of fogging is determined at multiple locations on thin film portion 131 using multiple electrode pairs 532(1)-532(N), 533(1)-533(N) and multiple circuits 534(1)-534(N). This makes it possible to estimate the degree of deterioration of the anti-fogging film and correct the full tank amount with higher accuracy than when the occurrence of fogging is determined at a single location.

[0127] In this embodiment, the thin film portions 131 are laminated on the outer periphery of the left and right sides of the front windshield 11, but the thin film portions may be laminated on the outer periphery of the top and bottom sides.

[0128] [Sixth embodiment] An air conditioning control system 63 mounted on a vehicle according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 shows only a schematic diagram of a portion of the configuration of the air conditioning control system 63 mounted on the vehicle. The same configuration as in the first embodiment is adopted for the configuration not shown in Fig. 16. Therefore, in the following, descriptions that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0129] 16, an air conditioning control system 63 of the present embodiment includes a pair of electrodes 632, 633 each having a comb shape in a plan view. Comb teeth 633a of electrode 633 are disposed to enter into gaps between comb teeth 632a of electrode 632.

[0130] In this embodiment, the planar shape of the electrodes 632, 633 differs from that of the first embodiment, but the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, so that the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained in this embodiment as well.

[0131] In addition, in this embodiment, by using the electrodes 632, 633 each having a comb shape, it is possible to increase the opposing area of ​​the electrodes 632, 633 while keeping the area of ​​the joint area of ​​the electrodes 632, 633 small. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to determine the occurrence of fogging of the anti-fogging film and calculate the full tank amount at or just before the occurrence of fogging with high accuracy.

[0132] [Seventh embodiment] An air conditioning control system 73 mounted on a vehicle according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 17. Fig. 17 shows only a schematic diagram of a portion of the configuration of the air conditioning control system 73 mounted on a vehicle. The same configuration as in the first embodiment is adopted for the configuration not shown in Fig. 17. Therefore, in the following, descriptions that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0133] 17, an air conditioning control system 73 of this embodiment includes electrodes 132, 133 joined onto the interior side surface 131a of the thin film portion 131, as well as an electrode 731 disposed on the interior side surface 11a of the front windshield 11 at the boundary with the thin film portion 131. The air conditioning control system 73 also includes a first voltage detection unit 732 that detects the voltage between the electrodes 132, 133, as well as a second voltage detection unit 733 that detects the voltage between the electrodes 133, 731.

[0134] Each of the first voltage detection unit 732 and the second voltage detection unit 733 sends detection information to an electrical resistance value calculation unit of the controller. The electrical resistance value calculation unit calculates the electrical resistance value between the electrodes 133, 731 based on the detection information acquired from the second voltage detection unit 733, and calculates the electrical resistance value between the electrodes 132, 133 based on the detection information acquired from the first voltage detection unit 732 by referring to the calculated electrical resistance value between the electrodes 133, 731.

[0135] Here, the electrical resistance value between the electrodes 133, 731 changes only depending on the amount of water retained in the film of the thin film portion 131, and is therefore not affected even if condensation occurs on the interior side surface 131a of the thin film portion 131. For this reason, the lower limit of the electrical resistance value between the electrodes 133, 731 can be referred to as an indication of the full water amount of the thin film portion 131.

[0136] This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, in addition to electrodes 132, 133, an electrode 731 is provided at the boundary between the front windshield 11 and the thin film portion 131. However, since the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, this embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0137] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an electrode 731 is disposed at the boundary between the front windshield 11 and the thin film portion 131, and the electrical resistance value between the pair of electrodes 132, 133 is calculated by referring to the electrical resistance value between one of the pair of electrodes 132, 133 and electrode 731, which is advantageous in calculating the electrical resistance value between the pair of electrodes 132, 133 with high accuracy.

[0138] The location of the electrode 731 does not necessarily have to be the boundary between the front windshield 11 and the thin film portion 131, but may be, for example, within the film of the thin film portion.

[0139] [Eighth embodiment] An air conditioning control system mounted on a vehicle according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 18. Fig. 18 is a graph for explaining a deterioration estimation method by a controller. Note that the configurations whose explanations are omitted below are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0140] 18, in this embodiment, the amount of water absorbed W in the thin film portion is estimated using the capacitance value C between the electrodes. That is, in this embodiment, the occurrence of fogging in the thin film portion is determined and the full tank amount at or immediately before the occurrence of fogging is estimated using the capacitance value C as an electrical feature.

[0141] When the amount of water absorbed by the thin film is W on the horizontal axis and the capacitance C between the electrodes is C on the vertical axis, the capacitance C is C0 (point P10) when the amount of water absorbed by the thin film is W0. BPx When the amount of absorbed water W increases to C BPx (point P13). After the water content of the thin film reaches the full tank, the change in capacitance C relative to the water absorption amount W increases rapidly, and the water absorption amount W becomes W OVER In this state, the capacitance value C is C OVER (point P14).

[0142] In this way, the capacitance value C increases with an increase in the amount of water absorbed W of the thin film portion. Then, when the amount of water absorbed by the thin film portion exceeds the full tank amount, the degree of change in the capacitance value C relative to the amount of water absorbed W changes. That is, when the amount of water absorbed exceeds the full tank amount, condensation occurs on the inside surface of the thin film portion, and in addition to the capacitance value in the film, the capacitance value of the film surface, which is in a parallel relationship with the capacitance value in the film, is detected, and this causes the degree of change in the value to change. In this way, the degree of change changes once the amount of water absorbed reaches the full tank amount, which is the same as when the determination is made using the electrical resistance value in the first embodiment and the like.

[0143] Here, even when the capacitance value C is used, the point at which the degree of change changes due to deterioration of the anti-fogging film over time changes from P11 to P13, and the point at which condensation occurs on the surface of the anti-fogging film also changes from P12 to P14.

[0144] In this embodiment, the degree of deterioration of the anti-fogging film and the full tank level are estimated and corrected using the capacitance value C between the electrodes based on the characteristics shown in FIG.

[0145] This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it uses the capacitance value between electrodes as the electrical feature. However, other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, so that the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained with this embodiment.

[0146] [Ninth embodiment] An air conditioning control system 83 mounted on a vehicle according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 19 and 20. Fig. 19 shows only a schematic diagram of a portion of the configuration of an air conditioning control system 83 mounted on a vehicle. The same configuration as in the first embodiment is adopted for the configuration not shown in Fig. 19. Therefore, in the following, descriptions that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0147] 19, an air conditioning control system 83 of this embodiment includes, in addition to the configuration of the air conditioning control system 13 of the first embodiment, electrodes 832, 833 joined to the interior side surface 15a of the normal film thickness portion 15, and a second constant current circuit 834 and a second summer detection unit 835 connected to the electrodes 832, 833. Note that in this embodiment, the constant current circuit 134 of the first embodiment will be referred to as the "first constant current circuit 134", and the voltage detection unit 135 will be referred to as the "first voltage detection unit 135".

[0148] The electrodes 832 and 833 are arranged with a gap (for example, 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm) between them. The second constant current circuit 834 supplies a current between the electrodes 832 and 833. The second voltage detection unit 835 detects the voltage between the electrodes 832 and 833.

[0149] 20, in addition to the detection information of the first voltage detection unit 135, the detection information of the second voltage detection unit 835 is also input to the controller 138. Then, the controller 138 issues a command regarding the current supply to the electrodes 832, 833 not only to the first constant current circuit 134 but also to the second constant current circuit 834.

[0150] In the air conditioning control system 83 of this embodiment, the initial water retention amount calculation unit 1381 of the controller 138 performs the process up to calculation of the initial water retention amount in the normal film thickness portion 15 (the process up to step ST3 in FIG. 8) based on the detection information from the first voltage detection unit 135.

[0151] Meanwhile, in the air conditioning control system 83, the process related to the accumulation of the water absorption amount by the controller 138 (step ST4 in FIG. 8) is performed based on the detection information from the second voltage detection unit 835. In this way, the process related to the accumulation of the water absorption amount is performed based on the electrical characteristic amount of the normal film thickness portion 15, which is the target for calculating the water retention amount, so that the water retention amount can be calculated more accurately.

[0152] Except for the above differences, the air conditioning control system 83 of this embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment, and therefore can obtain the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0153] [Variations] In the first to seventh and ninth embodiments, the electrical resistance value was used as the electrical characteristic of the anti-fogging film, and in the eighth embodiment, the capacitance value was used. However, in the present invention, it is also possible to use reactance (inductive reactance, capacitive reactance) as the electrical characteristic.

[0154] In the first to ninth embodiments, the thin film portion 131 is provided to estimate the degree of deterioration of the anti-fogging film, which is thinner than the normal film thickness portion 15 and more likely to cause fogging. However, the present invention does not necessarily require the provision of a thin film portion. Instead of the thin film portion, a region having the same film thickness and a high elastic modulus may be provided. In this case, fogging will occur earlier in the region with a high elastic modulus.

[0155] It is also possible to employ a film portion that has the same thickness as the normal thickness portion 15 and is formed using an anti-fogging material that has a relatively low affinity for water. Even in this case, it is possible to provide an area that is more likely to fog than the normal thickness portion.

[0156] Also, the film quality and thickness of the area where the electrical feature is detected can be the same as other areas. In this case, if fogging occurs in the area only once after the ignition is turned on, the degree of deterioration can be estimated from this and the full tank amount of the anti-fogging film can be corrected, so that thereafter, the window can be dehumidified just before the anti-fogging film fogs up.

[0157] In the first to ninth embodiments, a metal electrode such as Cu or Al is used as the electrode bonded to the inside surface of the anti-fogging film, but in the present invention, a transparent electrode such as ITO (indium tin oxide), IZO (indium zinc oxide), or TNO (Nb-doped titanium oxide) can also be used. By using such a transparent electrode, it is possible to prevent the driver's view from being obstructed regardless of the region where the electrode is formed on the window.

[0158] In the first to ninth embodiments, the gap G1 is provided between the thin film portion 131 and the normal film thickness portion 15 to prevent moisture from passing between them, but in the present invention, instead of providing a gap, a water blocking layer made of a hydrophobic material may be formed. As the hydrophobic material, for example, a fluorine-based resin material may be used.

[0159] Furthermore, in the first to ninth embodiments, an anti-fogging film is laminated on the front windshield 11, but the present invention can also be applied to various windows such as side windows and rear windows.

[0160] In the first to ninth embodiments, the deterioration degree of the anti-fogging film is estimated and the full tank amount of the anti-fogging film is corrected only once when the ignition is turned on, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the deterioration degree may be estimated and the full tank amount may be corrected every time the defroster dehumidifies the windows. This allows for more accurate estimation and correction.

[0161] In addition, in the present invention, the full tank amount of the anti-fogging film to be corrected does not necessarily have to be the water retention amount at the time when fogging begins to occur, but can be the water retention amount just before fogging begins to occur. This allows the window to be dehumidified just before fogging begins, which is desirable from the viewpoint of ensuring high safety.

[0162] Although the first to ninth embodiments do not particularly mention the type of drive source equipped in the vehicle 1, the present invention can be applied to vehicles equipped with various drive sources. For example, the present invention can be widely applied to vehicles that are driven by an engine, parallel hybrid vehicles, range extender hybrid vehicles, and vehicles that run by driving a motor with electric power from a battery (BEV).

[0163] In addition, in the present invention, it is also possible to combine the respective configurations of the first to ninth embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0164] 1 vehicle 11 Front windshield (wind) 13,23,33,43,53,63,73 Air conditioning control system 15 Normal thickness area (other areas in anti-fogging film) 16 Air conditioner 131 Thin film portion (part of anti-fogging film) 132,532(1)~532(N),632 electrode 133,533(1)~533(N),633 Electrode 134 Constant current circuit (power supply section) 135,732,733 Voltage detection section 136 Window surface temperature sensor (surface temperature detection unit) 137 Absolute humidity sensor near the window surface (humidity detection section) 138 Controller (deterioration estimation unit) 231, 232, 331 Switching section 332 Electrode (another electrode) 731 Electrode (another electrode) 1383 Electrical resistance calculation unit 1386 Full tank amount correction unit

Claims

1. A window that separates the inside and outside of the vehicle compartment; a water-absorbent anti-fogging film laminated on an interior surface of the window that faces the interior of the vehicle; A detection unit that detects an electrical characteristic of the anti-fogging film; a deterioration estimation unit that estimates a deterioration degree of the anti-fogging film related to a decrease in a full tank amount, which is a maximum amount of water that can be retained in the anti-fogging film; Equipped with The deterioration estimation unit is A process of determining that fogging has occurred on the anti-fogging film based on detection information acquired from the detection unit; A process of estimating a water retention amount of the anti-fogging film when fogging occurs on the anti-fogging film or immediately before fogging occurs based on the detection information acquired from the detection unit, and estimating the estimated water retention amount as a full tank amount of the anti-fogging film; A process of storing information about the estimated fill-up amount in a storage unit; A process of retrieving past information on the fill-up amount from the storage unit and comparing the past information with information on the estimated fill-up amount; to estimate the deterioration degree of the anti-fogging film, and executing a process of correcting the full tank amount of the anti-fogging film based on the estimated degree of deterioration. vehicle.

2. The detection unit is A pair of electrodes joined to an interior surface of the anti-fogging film at a distance from each other; a power supply unit for supplying power between the pair of electrodes; Including, The deterioration estimation unit executes a process of calculating an electrical resistance value between the pair of electrodes based on the detection information from the detection unit, and determines whether fogging has occurred on the anti-fogging film based on a change in the electrical resistance value, and estimates the amount of water retention of the anti-fogging film when fogging has occurred on the anti-fogging film or immediately before fogging has occurred.

2. The vehicle of claim 1.

3. Each of the pair of electrodes is an elongated conductor extending parallel to each other on the interior side surface of the anti-fogging film, At least one of the pair of electrodes has a power supply path connected to both ends in a longitudinal direction thereof so that a current flows between one end and the other end of the electrode.

3. A vehicle as claimed in claim 2.

4. an elongated electrode separate from the pair of electrodes is provided on the vehicle interior side surface of the anti-fogging film; A power supply path is connected to both ends of the other electrode in a longitudinal direction so that a current flows between one end and the other end of the other electrode.

3. A vehicle as claimed in claim 2.

5. The pair of electrodes each have a comb shape, and are arranged such that comb teeth of one electrode of the pair of electrodes enter into a gap between comb teeth of the other electrode of the pair of electrodes.

3. A vehicle as claimed in claim 2.

6. The detection unit further includes an electrode other than the pair of electrodes, the electrode being provided in the anti-fogging film or at a boundary between the anti-fogging film and the window, The power supply unit also supplies the power between one electrode of the pair of electrodes and the other electrode, The voltage detection unit also detects a voltage between the one electrode and the other electrode, The deterioration estimation unit is A process of calculating an electrical resistance value between the one electrode and the another electrode; performing a process of calculating the electrical resistance value between the pair of electrodes by referring to the electrical resistance value between the one electrode and the other electrode; 3. A vehicle as claimed in claim 2.

7. The deterioration estimation unit estimates a time point at which a degree of change in the electrical resistance value between the pair of electrodes with respect to the amount of water absorbed by the anti-fogging film changes as a time point at which the amount of water retained by the anti-fogging film reaches the full amount.

3. A vehicle as claimed in claim 2.

8. The detection unit is A pair of electrodes joined to an interior surface of the anti-fogging film at a distance from each other; a power supply unit for supplying power between the pair of electrodes; Including, The deterioration estimation unit executes a process of calculating a capacitance value between the pair of electrodes based on the detection information from the detection unit, and determines whether fogging has occurred on the anti-fogging film based on a change in the capacitance value, and estimates the amount of water retention of the anti-fogging film when fogging has occurred on the anti-fogging film or immediately before fogging has occurred.

2. The vehicle of claim 1.

9. The detection unit is attached to a portion of the anti-fogging film that is more susceptible to fogging than other portions of the anti-fogging film.

2. The vehicle of claim 1.

10. The deterioration estimation unit is The occurrence of fogging in the anti-fogging film is judged based on the occurrence of fogging in the partial region, based on the determination that fogging has occurred in the partial region, a deterioration degree of the partial region is estimated, and a process of correcting the full tank amount in the other region is executed.

10. The vehicle of claim 9.

11. a surface temperature detection unit for detecting a temperature of the interior side surface of the window; a humidity detection unit that detects humidity in the vicinity of the vehicle interior side of the window; Further equipped with the deterioration estimation unit acquires detection information from the surface temperature detection unit and the humidity detection unit; The determination regarding the occurrence of fogging is made based on the occurrence of fogging in the partial region, A process of calculating an initial water retention rate in the partial region when cloudiness is detected in the partial region; A process of calculating an initial water retention amount in the other region using the initial water retention rate in the partial region and the full tank amount in the other region; a process of calculating the amount of retained water in the other region by adding an integrated value, which is an increment value of the amount of retained water, calculated from the amount of water vapor in the air in the vehicle cabin based on each detection information from the surface temperature detection unit and the humidity detection unit, to the initial retained water amount; to set the water retention amount in the other region to the water retention amount of the anti-fogging film.

11. The vehicle of claim 10.

12. The window is a front windshield, The partial region is a region laminated to an outer periphery of the windshield, 10. The vehicle of claim 9.

Images