Air-conditioning device

Abstract

To enable suppression of generation of dew condensation in a cold air duct when air-conditioning is stopped.SOLUTION: An air-conditioning device determines a blow control condition according to a vehicle state, and causes a blower device to perform blowing with the determined blow control condition after stop of air-conditioning until when an end condition of the air-conditioning is satisfied and to deliver air in a duct through which cold air cooled by a cooling device 3 passes into the vehicle through an outlet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning control device for controlling the air conditioning of a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Vehicles such as buses are equipped with a cooling unit on the upper part of the vehicle. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which air taken in from the inside air intake port in the cooling unit is cooled to cold air when passing through the evaporator, and this cold air is sent through the cold air duct and supplied to the passenger compartment from the cold air outlet formed at the lower part of the cold air duct.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, for example, in the configuration such as Patent Document 1 as described above, when the air conditioning is switched from ON to OFF in summer or the like, the air in the passenger compartment may flow into the cold air duct from the cold air outlet, and the air in the cold air duct and the air in the passenger compartment may be exchanged.

[0005] At this time, if the air in the passenger compartment is warm and cold air accumulates near the cold air outlet in the cold air duct, there is a risk of condensation due to the mixing of warm air and cold air. If condensation occurs in this way, it is conceivable that the generated water droplets may drip from the cold air outlet into the passenger compartment or be scattered by mixing with the blown air from the cold air outlet.

[0006] The present case was conceived by paying attention to such problems, and one of the objectives is to provide an air conditioning control device capable of suppressing the occurrence of condensation in the cold air duct when the cooling is stopped.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] This case is made to solve at least a part of the above problems and can be realized as the following aspects or application examples.

[0008] The air-conditioning control device according to this application example is an air-conditioning control device that controls the air-conditioning of a vehicle. It determines the air supply control conditions according to the state of the vehicle, and after the cooling is stopped, until the end condition is satisfied, it makes the air supply device supply air according to the determined air supply control conditions, so that the air in the duct through which the cold air cooled by the cooling device passes is sent into the vehicle through the air outlet.

[0009] According to this application example, after the cooling is stopped, until the end condition is satisfied, by making the air supply device supply air according to the determined air supply control conditions, the cold air in the duct is sent into the vehicle through the air outlet. Thereby, even after the cooling is stopped, the inflow (backflow) of the air in the vehicle into the air outlet can be suppressed, and the occurrence of condensation can be suppressed.

[0010] Also, by determining the air supply control conditions according to the state of the vehicle, the cold air in the duct can be efficiently sent out from the air outlet, quickly reducing the temperature difference and humidity difference between the air in the duct and the air in the vehicle, and suppressing the occurrence of condensation.

Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to this case, the occurrence of condensation in the duct when the cooling is stopped can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] With reference to the drawings, embodiments of the present case will be described. The following embodiments are merely examples, and there is no intention to exclude various modifications and applications of technologies not explicitly stated in these embodiments. Each configuration of the following embodiments can be variously modified and implemented without departing from their gist. Also, they can be selectively adopted or appropriately combined as necessary.

[0014] [1. Configuration] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle 1 equipped with an air-conditioning control device according to an application example, and FIG. 2 is a view showing the interior of the vehicle 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows a view of the vehicle 1 seen from a position substantially in the center of the passenger compartment 5 of the vehicle 1 looking forward.

[0015] In FIG. 1, the cooling device 2 mounted on the vehicle 1 is shown by a solid line, and the other parts are shown by virtual lines (two-dot chain lines). In the present embodiment, a bus is exemplified as the vehicle 1 for explanation.

[0016] In the following description, the forward direction of the vehicle 1 is defined as the front FR, the opposite direction (the reverse direction of the vehicle 1) is defined as the rear RR, and the left and right (left LH and right RH) are defined based on the state where the vehicle 1 faces the front FR. Also, the front-rear direction is also referred to as the vehicle length direction, and the left-right direction is also referred to as the vehicle width direction. Further, the direction orthogonal to both the vehicle length direction and the vehicle width direction is referred to as the up-down direction (upward UP and downward DW). It is assumed that the vehicle 1 is on a horizontal road surface and is in a posture where the up-down direction coincides with the vertical direction (the downward direction coincides with the direction of the action of gravity). In this posture, the vertically upward direction is the height direction.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, a cooling device 2 for supplying cool air into the interior is mounted on the upper part of a vehicle 1 such as a bus.

[0018] The cooling device 2 includes a cooling unit 3 that generates and sends out cool air, and a cold air duct 4 that sends the cool air into the passenger compartment 5.

[0019] The cooling unit 3 may be a well-known one used in a vehicle air conditioner. For example, it may include a refrigeration cycle configured by annularly connecting known refrigeration devices such as a compressor, a condenser, a receiver, an expansion valve, and an evaporator (not shown) with a refrigerant pipe. The cooling unit 3 is an example of a cooling device. The cooling unit 3 generates cool air when the air conditioning is on and stops generating cool air when the air conditioning is off. The cooling unit 3 also has a dehumidifying function.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, an air conditioner unit suction port 31 is formed in the ceiling of the passenger compartment 5 below the cooling unit 3. The cooling unit 3 cools the air in the passenger compartment 5 sucked from the air conditioner unit suction port 31 to generate cool air, and supplies the generated cool air into the passenger compartment 5 through the cold air duct 4. The cold air duct 4 is an example of a duct through which the cool air cooled by the cooling unit 3 passes.

[0021] The cooling unit 3 includes a blower 30 (see FIG. 5), and uses this blower 30 to send out cool air or dehumidified air to the cold air duct 4. The blower 30 may be referred to as a blower. Hereinafter, the cool air may include dehumidified air.

[0022] In addition, the cooling unit 3 also has a blowing function of blowing air that has not been cooled or dehumidified by the blower 30. When the cooling unit 3 blows air by the blower 30, the air in the cold air duct 4 is blown out into the passenger compartment 5 from the air outlet 41 of the service set 40. The air outlet 41 may be referred to as an air outlet grille. Also, during blowing, the air in the passenger compartment 5 is inhaled into the cooling unit 3 from the air conditioner unit suction port 31 and blown out into the cold air duct 4 as it is without being cooled or dehumidified.

[0023] In addition, an internal air humidity sensor 32 (see Fig. 2) is provided at the air conditioner unit suction port 31, and this internal air humidity sensor 32 measures the humidity of the air (internal air) in the passenger compartment 5 inhaled from the air conditioner unit suction port 31. The internal air humidity sensor 32 transmits the measurement result to the air conditioner ECU 10 (see Fig. 5).

[0024] As shown in Fig. 1, the cold air duct 4 extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1 near the ceiling on each of the left and right sides of the vehicle 1. Also, as shown in Fig. 2, a plurality of service sets 40 are arranged on the ceiling of the passenger compartment 5 at the lower part of each cold air duct 4.

[0025] The service set 40 is formed at the upper position of each of a plurality of seats (not shown) arranged in the vehicle 1.

[0026] Fig. 3 is an external view of the service set 40, and Fig. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the service set 40.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 3, the service set 40 has an air outlet 41 composed of a reading light 43, a light switch 44, a speaker 42, a movable louver, etc., irradiates light from the reading light 43, and supplies services to passengers by sending out cold air from the air outlet 41. The passenger can turn on / off the reading light 43 by operating the light switch 44.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 4, a speaker 42 and a reading light 43 are arranged inside the service set 40.

[0029] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the service set 40 is attached so as to close the opening 4a formed on the lower surface of the cold air duct 4, and the internal space of the service set 40 communicates with the cold air duct 4. Thus, the cold air etc. sent out from the cooling unit 3 is sent in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1 through the cold air duct 4, enters the inside of the service set 40, and is blown out from the air outlets 41 of each service set 40 toward the head positions of the respective passengers in the passenger compartment 5. The temperature of the air in the passenger compartment 5 is higher than the temperature of the cold air in the cold air duct 4 and inside the service set 40. The air in the passenger compartment 5 may be referred to as warm air.

[0030] The cooling unit 3 is controlled by an air conditioner ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 10. The air conditioner ECU 10 is an example of an air conditioning control device that controls the air conditioning of the vehicle 1.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the air conditioning control device (air conditioner ECU 10) according to the application example.

[0032] Information representing the input operations performed by the operator on various operation switches (not shown) provided in the vehicle 1 is input to the air conditioner ECU 10. For example, various information such as the content of the on / off operation of the air conditioner switch, the set values of the air conditioning mode, temperature adjustment, air volume adjustment, and the switching setting between internal air circulation and outside air introduction, which the driver performs using the air conditioner operation switch, is input to the air conditioner ECU 10. The air conditioning mode represents any one of the cooling / dehumidifying / warming modes.

[0033] Also, information representing the operations performed by the driver etc. on the main key of the vehicle 1 and the battery switch which is the main switch of the electric circuit is input to the air conditioner ECU 10.

[0034] Furthermore, the air conditioner ECU 10 receives the detection result (indoor humidity) of the indoor humidity sensor 32 and information indicating the open / closed state of the doors (not shown) of the vehicle 1. The information indicating the open / closed state of the doors may be, for example, the detection result of a door sensor (not shown) that detects the opening and closing of the doors, or may be information indicating the selected state of a door open / close switch (not shown) operated by the driver.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 5, the air conditioner ECU 10 has functions as a confirmation unit 11 and a blower control unit 12.

[0036] The confirmation unit 11 performs various confirmations as criteria for the blower control unit 12 to perform control.

[0037] For example, the confirmation unit 11 confirms whether the air conditioning mode is cooling / dehumidifying / heating. The confirmation unit 11 also confirms whether it is outside air introduction or indoor air circulation. Furthermore, the confirmation unit 11 confirms whether the open / closed state of the doors is in the open or closed state.

[0038] In addition, the confirmation unit 11 compares the indoor humidity detected by the indoor humidity sensor 32 with a preset threshold value, and confirms whether the indoor humidity is equal to or higher than the threshold value. The confirmation unit 11 stores each confirmation result in a storage area of the memory or the like.

[0039] The blower control unit 12 controls the blowing of air by the blower 30 of the cooling unit 3. For example, during cooling and dehumidifying, the blower control unit 12 controls the rotational speed of the fan motor (not shown) of the blower 30 so that air is blown at the air volume (blower air volume) set by the operation switch.

[0040] In addition, the blower control unit 12 controls the blowing of air by the blower 30 even after the stop of cooling and dehumidifying. Hereinafter, when simply referring to cooling, dehumidifying is included. For example, when the air conditioner switch is turned off (air conditioner switch off), when the main key is turned off (key off), or when the battery switch is turned off (battery switch off), the air conditioner ECU 10 stops the cooling by the cooling unit 3.

[0041] Even after the cooling is stopped in this way, the air supply control unit 12 controls the blower 30 to perform air supply until the end condition described later is satisfied.

[0042] Note that the time point when any of the input operations of air conditioner off, key off, and battery switch off is performed may be referred to as the air conditioner off input time.

[0043] When the cooling is stopped, the air supply control unit 12 controls the blower 30 to perform air supply, so that the cold air in the cold air duct 4 is blown out from the air outlet 41 of the service set 40, and the air (warm air) in the passenger compartment 5 can be prevented from flowing into (backflowing) the air outlet 41.

[0044] In addition, the air (cold air) sent out from the cold air duct 4 into the passenger compartment 5 is sucked from the air conditioner unit suction port 31 provided on the ceiling of the passenger compartment 5 and sent into the cooling unit 3, so as to circulate inside the vehicle 1. In the process of such circulation inside the vehicle 1, the temperature difference and humidity difference between the air in the cold air duct 4 and the air in the passenger compartment 5 are reduced. Thereby, it is possible to prevent dew condensation from occurring due to the mixing of cold air and warm air inside the service set 40 or in the cold air duct 4.

[0045] The air supply control unit 12 may start the air supply by the blower 30 at the weakest air volume after the cooling is stopped.

[0046] In addition, the air supply control unit 12 controls the air supply by the blower 30 according to the result of the confirmation by the confirmation unit 11. The result of the confirmation by the confirmation unit 11 represents the state of the vehicle 1.

[0047] Here, for example, when comparing the humidity inside the vehicle 1 immediately before turning off the air conditioner between outside air introduction and internal air circulation, the humidity in the passenger compartment 5 is higher in the case of outside air introduction. Therefore, it is considered that dew condensation is more likely to occur when the warm air in the passenger compartment 5 is mixed with the cold air in the case of outside air introduction. Therefore, the air supply control unit 12 increases the blower air volume when it is outside air introduction at the time of air conditioner off input.

[0048] Also, for example, when the door of vehicle 1 is open, there is a high possibility that humid air outside vehicle 1 flows into the passenger compartment 5 through this door. Therefore, it is considered that condensation is more likely to occur when the warm air in the passenger compartment 5 is mixed with cold air when the door is open. Thus, the air supply control unit 12 increases the blower air volume when the door is open.

[0049] Furthermore, condensation is likely to occur when the internal humidity of the passenger compartment 5 is equal to or higher than the threshold value. Thus, the air supply control unit 12 increases the blower air volume when the internal humidity of the passenger compartment 5 is equal to or higher than the threshold value.

[0050] Also, when increasing the blower air volume, the air supply control unit 12 may perform the same control as when an input to increase the blower air volume by one step is made by, for example, an air conditioner operation switch.

[0051] Note that the conditions for the air supply control unit 12 to determine whether to increase the blower air volume may be referred to as determination conditions. The above-mentioned being outside air introduction, the door being open, and the internal humidity being equal to or higher than the threshold value are each an example of a determination condition. The determination conditions are an example of the state of vehicle 1. Also, the blower air volume determined by the air supply control unit 12 based on these determination conditions may be referred to as an air supply control condition.

[0052] The air supply control unit 12 causes the cooling unit 3 to be supplied with air at the set blower air volume. That is, the air supply control unit 12 causes the blower 30 to be supplied with air under the determined air supply control conditions.

[0053] The air supply control unit 12 may terminate the air supply when the time for which the air supply has been performed after the stop of the cooling becomes equal to or longer than a predetermined time. That is, the air supply control unit 12 may continue to perform the air supply for a predetermined time (fixed time) after the stop of the cooling. Also, the air supply control unit 12 may terminate the air supply when the internal humidity becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined value.

[0054] Note that the conditions (end conditions) for the air supply control unit 12 to terminate the air supply after the cooling is finished are not limited to the time of air supply after the cooling stops or the internal air humidity. For example, temperature sensors and humidity sensors are provided in the cold air duct 4, and the air supply control unit 12 may terminate the air supply when the difference between the temperature and humidity in the cold air duct 4 and the temperature and humidity in the passenger compartment 5 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value. Also, there may be a plurality of end conditions, and the air supply control unit 12 may, for example, terminate the air supply when at least any one of the plurality of end conditions is satisfied.

[0055] Also, after the air supply after the cooling stops is terminated, the air volume of the blower 30 may be reset. When the cooling is turned on again, the air supply control unit 12 may start the cooling with the air volume set by, for example, the air conditioner operation switch.

[0056] [2. Control] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a control example by the air conditioner control device of FIG. 5.

[0057] The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 may be started, for example, when the air conditioner switch is turned off (air conditioner switch off), when the main key is turned off (key off), or when the battery switch is turned off (battery switch off).

[0058] In step S1, the confirmation unit 11 of the air conditioner ECU 10 confirms the air conditioning mode. When the air conditioning mode is cooling or dehumidifying (in "Cooling or dehumidifying" in step S1), in step S2, the air supply control unit 12 stops the cooling by turning off the condenser and the compressor of the cooling unit 3, and continues the air supply by maintaining the blower 30 in the on state.

[0059] In step S3, the confirmation unit 11 checks whether the cooling unit 3 was in the state of outside air introduction or internal air circulation when the air conditioner was turned off. If it was in the state of outside air introduction (in "outside air introduction" of step S3), in step S4, the blower control unit 12 increases the blower air volume. Then, it proceeds to step S5.

[0060] Also, as a result of the check in step S3, even if it was in the state of internal air circulation (in "internal air circulation" of step S3), it proceeds to step S5.

[0061] In step S5, the blower control unit 12 checks the door state of the vehicle 1. If the door state is open (in "open" of step S5), in step S6, the blower control unit 12 increases the blower air volume. Then, it proceeds to step S7.

[0062] Also, as a result of the check in step S5, even if the door state is closed (in "closed" of step S5), it proceeds to step S7.

[0063] In step S7, the blower control unit 12 checks the internal air humidity of the passenger compartment 5. If the internal air humidity is equal to or higher than the threshold value (in "equal to or higher than the threshold value" of step S7), in step S8, the blower control unit 12 increases the blower air volume. Then, it proceeds to step S9.

[0064] Also, as a result of the check in step S7, even if the internal air humidity is less than the threshold value (in "less than the threshold value" of step S7), it proceeds to step S9.

[0065] In step S9, the blower control unit 12 checks whether the end condition is satisfied. The end condition may be, for example, that the time for which the blower has been operating after the cooling has stopped is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, or that the internal air humidity is less than a predetermined value.

[0066] If the end condition is not satisfied (NO in step S9), in step S10, the blower control unit 12 maintains the blower 30 in the on state and continues to perform blowing. Further, after waiting for a predetermined time while continuing the blowing, the blower control unit 12 returns to step S9.

[0067] If the end condition is satisfied (YES in step S9), in step S11, the blower control unit 12 turns off the blower 30 to end the blowing. Then, the process ends.

[0068] Also, as a result of the confirmation in step S1, if the air conditioning mode is heating ( "heating" in step S1), in step S12, the blower control unit 12 turns off the air conditioner and ends the process.

[0069] [3. Operational Effects] The present embodiment described above has the following operational effects.

[0070] The air conditioning control device (air conditioner ECU 10) according to the present application example, when stopping the cooling, causes the blower control unit 12 to control the blower 30 to perform blowing, so that the cold air in the cold air duct 4 is blown out from the air outlet 41 of the service set 40. As a result, even after the cooling is stopped, it is possible to suppress the inflow (backflow) of the air (warm air) in the passenger compartment 5 into the air outlet 41. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the mixing of cold air and warm air and the occurrence of condensation inside the service set 40 and in the cold air duct 4.

[0071] Also, the air (cold air) sent out from the cold air duct 4 into the passenger compartment 5 is sucked from the air conditioner unit suction port 31 provided in the ceiling of the passenger compartment 5 and sent into the cooling unit 3, thereby circulating inside the vehicle 1. In such a circulation process inside the vehicle 1, the temperature difference and humidity difference between the air in the cold air duct 4 and the air in the passenger compartment 5 are reduced. Also by this, it is possible to suppress the mixing of cold air and warm air and the occurrence of condensation inside the service set 40 and in the cold air duct 4.

[0072] Further, after the cooling operation stops, the blower control unit 12 determines the blower air volume (blower control condition) according to the state (judgment condition) of the vehicle 1, and causes the blower 30 to blow air at the determined blower air volume. Thereby, the cold air in the cold air duct 4 can be efficiently sent out from the air outlet 41 of the service set 40, and the temperature difference and humidity difference between the air in the cold air duct 4 and the air in the passenger compartment 5 can be quickly reduced.

[0073] [4. Others] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0074] For example, in the above-described embodiment, when increasing the blower air volume, the blower control unit 12 performs the same control as when an input for increasing the blower air volume by one step is made by, for example, an air conditioner operation switch. That is, the blower control unit 12 gradually increases the blower air volume when introducing outside air, when the door state is open, and when the internal humidity is equal to or higher than the threshold value, but is not limited thereto. For example, the blower control unit 12 may use two levels of air volume, weak wind (Low) and strong wind (High), as the blower air volume during blowing.

[0075] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a modification of the control by the air conditioning control device shown in FIG. 6.

[0076] The flowchart shown in this FIG. 7 has steps S31 to S32 instead of steps S3 to S8 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6. In the figure, the processes denoted by the same reference numerals as the above-described ones represent the same processes, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0077] In this modification, the blower control unit 12 may use two levels of air volume, weak wind (Low) and strong wind (High), as the blower air volume during blowing.

[0078] In step S31, the confirmation unit 11 checks whether any of the judgment conditions are met, namely, whether the cooling unit 3 is introducing outside air when the air conditioner is turned off, whether the door state of the vehicle 1 is open, or whether the internal humidity of the passenger compartment 5 is equal to or higher than the threshold value. If any of these judgment conditions are met (YES in step S31), in step S32, the blower control unit 12 increases the blower air volume. That is, the blower control unit 12 sets the blower air volume to strong wind. Then, the process proceeds to step S9.

[0079] Also, if as a result of the check in step S31, none of the above-described judgment conditions are met (NO in step S31), the process proceeds to step S9.

[0080] Thus, also in this modification example, the blower control unit 12 determines the blower air volume (blower control condition) according to the state (judgment condition) of the vehicle 1 after the cooling stops, and causes the blower 30 to blow air at this determined blower air volume. Thereby, the cold air in the cold air duct 4 can be efficiently sent out from the air outlet 41 of the service set 40.

[0081] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the blower control unit 12 increases the blower air volume according to the judgment conditions (outside air introduction / internal air circulation, door state, internal humidity), but it is not limited to this.

[0082] The blower control unit 12 may decrease the blower air volume according to the judgment conditions, or may extend or shorten the blowing time of the blower 30, and various modifications can be implemented.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0083] 1 Vehicle 2 Cooling Device 3 Cooling Unit 4 Cold Air Duct 4a Opening 5 Passenger Compartment 10 Air Conditioner ECU (Air Conditioning Control Device) 11 Confirmation Unit 12 Blower Control Unit 30 Blower (Air blower) 31 Air conditioner unit suction port 32 Indoor humidity sensor 33 Mode changeover switch 34 Door sensor 40 Service set 41 Air outlet 42 Speaker 43 Reading light 44 Light switch

Claims

【Claim 1】 An air-conditioning control device for controlling the air-conditioning of a vehicle, determining a blowing control condition according to the state of the vehicle, after the cooling is stopped, causing the blower to blow air under the determined blowing control condition until the end condition is satisfied, and sending the air in the duct through which the cold air cooled by the cooling device passes into the vehicle through the air outlet An air-conditioning control device characterized by the above.

Images