Vehicular heating device

Abstract

To provide a vehicular heating device that can efficiently heat a driver.SOLUTION: A steering column (3) of a steering device (1) erecting from a floor part of a driver seat of a vehicle includes: a heater part (30) for emitting radiant heat which is installed in a position opposite to, especially, legs of a driver in the steering column (3); and an air guide part (21R) for leading warm air that is blown out from an air outlet (12R) formed in the driver seat toward, especially, the legs of the driver.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle heating system that provides radiant heat to an operator of the vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Known heating devices for vehicles include a technology for supplying warm air into the vehicle cabin through a heating duct and a technology for arranging a seat heater on the seat surface of the seat, etc. For example, the driver's toes are warmed by forming an opening of a heating duct near the footrest at the driver's feet and supplying warm air therethrough, and the driver's buttocks to thighs are warmed by a seat heater arranged on the seat surface.

[0003] It is also known to use a radiant heater that emits radiant heat as a vehicle heating device.

[0004] For example, FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1 discloses that a radiant heater is provided on the underside of an instrument panel that supports a steering wheel of a passenger vehicle so as to face the front of a passenger's thighs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-34791 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, during heating, for example, the driver's toes can be warmed by directing warm air from the heating duct, and the thighs can be heated comfortably by the seat heater, but there is an issue that the heating performance for the calf area below the knees is somewhat insufficient.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and one of its objects is to provide a vehicle heating device that can efficiently warm the driver. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve at least part of the above problems, and can be realized in the following aspects or application examples.

[0009] The vehicle heating device according to this application example is characterized in that it includes a heater section that emits radiant heat and is provided in a steering column of a steering device that is erected from the floor of the driver's seat, at a position facing the driver on the steering column, and an air guidance section that guides warm air blown out from an air outlet formed in the driver's seat toward the driver.

[0010] According to this application example, the heater unit that is provided in the steering column at a position facing the driver and emits radiant heat can warm the lower legs (calves) of the driver seated in the driver's seat. Also, the feet of the driver seated in the driver's seat can be warmed by the air guide unit that guides the warm air blown out from the air outlet formed in the driver's seat toward the driver. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle heating device capable of efficiently warming a driver. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of a driver's seat of a vehicle equipped with a steering device having a vehicle heating function according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is an enlarged view of a lower part of a steering column of the steering device shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view (view taken in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 2) illustrating the cross-sectional shape of the lower part of the steering column shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the arrangement of the steering device shown in FIG. 1 at the driver's seat. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to exclude the application of various modifications and techniques not specified in the embodiments. The configurations of the following embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the embodiments. In addition, they can be selected or combined as necessary.

[0014] In the following description, the forward direction of the vehicle is referred to as the forward direction FR, and the opposite direction (the backward direction of the vehicle) is referred to as the backward direction RR, and left and right (left LH and right RH) are defined based on the state in which the vehicle faces the forward direction FR. The forward and backward direction is also referred to as the vehicle length direction, and the left and right direction is also referred to as the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to both the vehicle length direction and the vehicle width direction is referred to as the up and down direction (up UP and down DN). The up and down direction of the vehicle may also be referred to as the vehicle height direction. The vehicle is assumed to be on a level road surface and in a position in which the up and down direction coincides with the vertical direction (the downward direction coincides with the direction of gravity). In this position, the vertical upward direction is regarded as the height direction.

[0015] [1. Configuration] Fig. 1 is a side view of a driver's seat of a vehicle equipped with a steering device 1 having a vehicle heating function according to one embodiment, and Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a steering column lower part 5 of the steering device 1 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view (view taken in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 2) showing a cross-sectional shape of the steering column lower part 5 shown in Fig. 2 in a plane perpendicular to a steering shaft 14 (see Fig. 4) passing through the steering column lower part 5. Note that the internal configuration of the steering column lower part 5 is not shown in Fig. 3.

[0016] Moreover, Fig. 4 is a top view showing the arrangement of the steering device 1 shown in Fig. 1 at the driver's seat. In Fig. 4, the steering column upper part 4, the steering wheel 2, etc. of the steering device 1 are omitted.

[0017] The steering device 1 is disposed in a driver's seat of a vehicle. Although the steering device 1 of the present embodiment will be described as being applied to a truck, the steering device 1 may be applied to other commercial vehicles such as buses and vans.

[0018] The steering device 1 is, for example, erected from the floor surface of the driver's seat, and its upper part is inclined toward the rear as illustrated in FIG. 1. The steering device 1 has a smaller inclination angle than steering devices of general passenger cars (it is erected in a state close to the vertical direction of the vehicle). As illustrated in FIG. 1, the driver drives while sitting on the seat 9 and holding the steering device 1 between his / her knees. This shortens the length of the driver's seat in the front-rear direction, and allows the space behind the driver's seat, such as a luggage box, to be used efficiently. In FIG. 1, the driver's position is shifted in order to clarify the configuration of the steering device 1.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, the steering device 1 has a steering wheel 2 and a steering column 3. A steering shaft 14 (see Fig. 4) passes through the steering column 3 in the vertical direction, and the center of the circular steering wheel 2 is fixed to the upper end of this steering shaft 14. The steering column may also be called a handle post.

[0020] A tilt mechanism 6 for arbitrarily adjusting the angle of the steering shaft 14 is disposed near the center of the steering column 3 in the vehicle height direction. In the steering column 3, the portion above the tilt mechanism 6 may be referred to as the steering column upper part 4, and the portion below the tilt mechanism 6 may be referred to as the steering column lower part 5.

[0021] 4, a footrest 13 is disposed near the floor to the left of the steering column 3. In addition, a brake pedal 8 and an accelerator pedal 7 are disposed side by side near the floor to the right of the steering column 3.

[0022] Further, in the driver's seat, for example, heating ducts 11L and 11R are arranged which form a flow path for air (hot air) that is heated by a heater unit (not shown) and blown out.

[0023] A heating duct 11L is disposed in a position forward of the footrest 13. A heating outlet 12L that opens rearward is formed in the heating duct 11L near a position that faces the toes of the driver when the driver places his / her left foot on the footrest 13.

[0024] A heating duct 11R is disposed in front of the steering column 3. A heating outlet 12R (described in detail later) that opens toward the lower part 5 of the steering column is formed in the heating duct 11R.

[0025] That is, in the driver's seat, as shown in Fig. 4, a heater air outlet 12L is formed at the lower left position of the steering column 3, and a heater air outlet 12R is formed at approximately the center of the steering column 3. These heater air outlets 12L, 12R each blow out warm air toward the rear (driver) during heating. The heater air outlet 12L and the heater air outlet 12R are each an example of an air outlet formed in the driver's seat.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, an airflow guide surface 21L is formed at the front left position of the steering column lower part 5, and an airflow guide surface 21R is formed at the front right position of the steering column lower part 5.

[0027] The air guide surface 21L straightens the hot air blown out from the heating air outlet 12R so as to guide it toward the left rear of the steering column lower part 5. The left lower leg of the driver seated in the seat 9 is located at the left rear of the steering column lower part 5. The air guide surface 21L is an example of an air guide section that guides the hot air blown out from the heating air outlet 12R formed in the driver's seat toward the driver.

[0028] The air guide surface 21L may be configured, for example, as a surface that is parallel to the steering shaft 14, located forward of the steering shaft 14, and curved along an arc centered on an axis virtually located to the left of the lower part 5 of the steering column.

[0029] In addition, the air guide surface 21R straightens the hot air blown out from the heating air outlet 12R so as to guide it toward the right rear of the steering column lower part 5. The right lower leg of the driver seated in the seat 9 is located at the right rear of the steering column lower part 5. The air guide surface 21R is also an example of an air guide part that guides the hot air blown out from the heating air outlet 12 formed in the driver's seat toward the driver.

[0030] The air guide surface 21R may be configured, for example, as a surface that is parallel to the steering shaft 14, located forward of the steering shaft 14, and curved along an arc centered on an axis virtually located to the right of the lower part 5 of the steering column.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, a panel attachment surface 20L is formed on the rear left side of the steering column lower part 5, and a panel attachment surface 20R is formed on the rear right side of the steering column lower part 5.

[0032] The panel attachment surface 20L is formed at a position facing the front or inner side of the lower leg (calf) of the driver's left leg in the steering column lower part 5, and the panel attachment surface 20R is formed at a position facing the front or inner side of the lower leg (calf) of the driver's right leg in the steering column lower part 5. The panel attachment surfaces may be called handle post trim surfaces.

[0033] A radiant heater panel 30 is attached to each of the panel attachment surfaces 20L and 20R.

[0034] The radiant heater panel 30 is an electric heater that generates heat when powered from a power source (not shown), such as a battery or a generator, and is configured in a plate shape. The radiant heater panel 30 generates heat when power is supplied. The radiant heater panel 30 radiates radiant heat mainly in a direction perpendicular to its surface in order to heat an object positioned in a direction perpendicular to its surface. The radiant heater panel 30 is an example of a heater unit that emits radiant heat.

[0035] Furthermore, the radiant heater panel 30 may be provided with a function for suppressing heat generation when contact with an object, such as the driver's hand or foot, is detected, thereby improving safety.

[0036] The panel attachment surface 20L may be configured, for example, as a surface that is parallel to the steering shaft 14, located rearward of the steering shaft 14, and curved along an arc centered on an imaginary axis located to the left of the lower part 5 of the steering column.

[0037] In addition, the panel attachment surface 20R may be configured, for example, as a surface that is parallel to the steering shaft 14, is located rearward of the steering shaft 14, and is curved along an arc centered on a virtual axis located to the right of the lower part 5 of the steering column.

[0038] In this way, by configuring the panel attachment surfaces 20L, 20R as curved surfaces, the left and right lower legs of the driver seated in the seat 9 can be prevented from interfering with the lower part of the steering column 5 or the radiant heater panel 30.

[0039] A panel attachment surface 22L is formed at a rear left position in the steering column upper part 4, and a panel attachment surface 22R is formed at a rear right position in the steering column upper part 4, respectively.

[0040] The panel attachment surface 22L is formed at a position on the steering column upper part 4 facing the left front knee of a driver seated in the seat 9 or its inner side, and the panel attachment surface 22R is formed at a position on the steering column upper part 4 facing the right front knee of a driver seated in the seat 9 or its inner side.

[0041] A radiant heater panel 30 is attached to each of the panel attachment surfaces 22L and 22R.

[0042] The panel attachment surface 22L may be configured similarly to the panel attachment surface 20L. That is, the panel attachment surface 22L may be configured as a surface that is parallel to the steering shaft 14, is located rearward of the steering shaft 14, and curves along an arc centered on an axis that is imaginarily provided to the left of the upper part 4 of the steering column.

[0043] The panel attachment surface 22R may be configured similarly to the panel attachment surface 20R. That is, the panel attachment surface 22R may be configured as a surface that is parallel to the steering shaft 14, is located rearward of the steering shaft 14, and curves along an arc centered on an axis that is virtually provided to the right of the steering column upper portion 4.

[0044] In this way, by configuring the panel attachment surfaces 22L, 22R as curved surfaces, the left and right front knees of the driver seated in the seat 9 can be prevented from interfering with the upper part of the steering column 4 or the radiant heater panel 30.

[0045] [2. Actions and Effects] In the steering device 1 having the vehicle heating function described above, the radiant heater panels 30 attached to the panel attachment surfaces 20R, 20L of the steering column lower portion 5 are energized, whereby the radiant heater panels 30 radiate radiant heat. As a result, the left and right lower legs (calf regions) of the driver seated in the seat 9 are warmed by the radiant heat.

[0046] In addition, by energizing the radiant heater panels 30 attached to the panel attachment surfaces 22R, 22L of the steering column upper portion 4, the radiant heater panels 30 radiate radiant heat. As a result, the areas around the left and right front knees of the driver seated in the seat 9 are warmed by the radiant heat.

[0047] Furthermore, by turning on the heating switch, warm air is blown out from the heating air outlets 12L, 12R disposed at the left and right lower positions across the steering column 3.

[0048] The warm air blown out from the heating air outlet 12R hits the air guide surface 21L of the steering column lower part 5, moves along the surface of this air guide surface 21L, flows toward the left rear of the steering column lower part 5, and warms the area around the driver's left lower leg.

[0049] In addition, the warm air blown out from the heating air outlet 12R hits the air guide surface 21R of the steering column lower part 5, moves along the surface of this air guide surface 21R, and flows toward the right rear of the steering column lower part 5, warming the area around the driver's right lower leg.

[0050] In other words, the warm air blown out from the heating outlet 12R branches out on either side of the lower part of the steering column 5 and is guided by the air guide surfaces 21L, 21R toward the driver's lower legs, warming the driver's calves and improving heating performance below the driver's knees.

[0051] In this way, by combining the radiant heater panel 30 and the hot air from the heating outlets 12L, 12R, it is possible to obtain low airflow and immediate heating comfort for the driver's knees without switching the vehicle heating to high mode. In addition, by reducing the rotation speed of the heating fan, it is possible to reduce noise and achieve energy saving effects.

[0052] [3.Other] The steering column 3 shown in the above embodiment is an example. For example, at least one of the panel attachment surfaces 20L, 20R, 22L, and 22R may have a shape other than a curved surface. In addition, instead of the radiant heater panel 30, another heat generating device may be provided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 Steering device 2 Steering wheel 3. Steering column 4. Upper part of steering column 5 Lower part of steering column 6 Tilt mechanism 7. Accelerator Pedal 8. Brake pedal 9 seats 11R, 11L Heating duct 12R,12L Heating outlet 13 Footrest 14 Steering shaft 20R, 20L, 22R, 22L Panel attachment surface 21R,21L Wind guide surface 30 Radiant heater panel

Claims

[Claim 1] In a steering column of a steering device installed upright from a floor portion of a driver's seat, a heater unit that emits radiant heat and is provided in a position on the steering column facing the legs of a driver; and an air guide section that guides the warm air blown out from an air outlet formed in the driver's seat toward the driver. A vehicle heating device comprising:

Images