Air-conditioning system

Abstract

To prevent children from being in poor health even if the children are left in a cabin.SOLUTION: An air-conditioning system comprises a temperature sensor 135 and an air conditioner 125. The temperature sensor 135 detects temperature in a cabin of a vehicle 10. The air conditioner 125 adjusts temperature in the cabin. The air conditioner 125 starts so as to adjust the temperature in the cabin in reference range if prescribed condition that indicates that it is possible for the children CH to being left in the cabin is established and the temperature in the cabin detected by the temperature sensor 135 is deviated from the reference range.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning system.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-510855 (Patent Document 1) discloses a system for preventing a child from being left unattended in a vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In particular, in seasons such as summer or winter, if a child is left unattended and undetected and left behind in the vehicle interior, it may lead to poor physical condition of the child.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an air conditioning system for preventing poor physical condition of a child even if the child is left behind in the vehicle interior.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The air conditioning system of the present disclosure includes a temperature sensor and an air conditioner. The temperature sensor detects the temperature in the vehicle interior of the vehicle. The air conditioner adjusts the temperature in the vehicle interior. When a predetermined condition indicating that there is a possibility that a child has been left behind in the vehicle interior is satisfied and the temperature in the vehicle interior detected by the temperature sensor deviates from a reference range, the air conditioner starts to adjust the temperature in the vehicle interior within the reference range.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, even if a child is left behind in the vehicle interior, it is possible to prevent the child from having a poor physical condition.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the figures are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a vehicle system including a vehicle equipped with an air conditioning system according to the present embodiment. The vehicle system 1 includes a vehicle 10 and a mobile terminal 20.

[0011] The vehicle 10 includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) 110, an ignition switch (IG-SW) 115, and an air conditioner (air conditioning device) 125. The vehicle 10 further includes a communication device 130, a temperature sensor 135, a tag 140, a car navigation device 145, and an ECU 150.

[0012] The GPS 110 acquires position information indicating the current position of the vehicle 10. The IG-SW 115 is turned on and off by the user U of the vehicle 10 to switch the start and stop of the driving system of the vehicle 10. The air conditioner 125 can adjust the temperature inside the vehicle interior of the vehicle 10.

[0013] The communication device 130 is configured to wirelessly communicate with a mobile terminal 20 (described later) through short-range communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication device 130 transmits a command INS to the mobile terminal 20 and receives signals S1 and S2 from the mobile terminal 20. These commands and signals will be described in detail later. The temperature sensor 135 detects the temperature inside the vehicle cabin and outputs the temperature detection value TV.

[0014] The tag 140 is attached to the dashboard of the vehicle 10 or the back of the front seat (not shown). A code image such as a QR code (registered trademark) is printed on the tag 140. The code image contains information for the mobile terminal 20 to access the server 30. The car navigation device 145 receives a user operation for setting the destination of the vehicle 10.

[0015] The ECU 150 controls various devices such as the air conditioner 125 and the communication device 130. The ECU 150 acquires signals indicating the position information of the GPS 110, the operation result of the IG-SW 115, the operating state of the communication device 130, the temperature detection value TV, or the setting result of the destination of the vehicle 10. The ECU 150 detects the user U's boarding when receiving a signal indicating the ON operation of the IG-SW 115. The operating state of the communication device 130 includes whether short-range communication between the communication device 130 and the mobile terminal 20 is established and whether this communication has been interrupted.

[0016] The mobile terminal 20 is, for example, a smartphone and is operated by the user U. The mobile terminal 20 includes a camera 202, an HMI device 204, a communication device 206, a storage device 207, and a processing device 209.

[0017] The camera 202 is configured to be able to read the code image on the tag 140. The HMI device 204 is, for example, a touch screen, which receives various user operations and displays various screens. The communication device 206 wirelessly communicates with the vehicle 10 by short-range communication or wirelessly communicates with the server 30. When the camera 202 reads the code image, the application 208 described below is launched, and the communication device 206 starts communicating with the server 30.

[0018] The application 208 is installed in the storage device 207. The application 208 is a dedicated application for the vehicle 10, and provides various functions to the user U while the application 208 is launched and the mobile terminal 20 is communicating with the server 30. The functions include a function of operating various devices, a function of customizing the settings of the devices (for example, a function of customizing the set temperature and air volume of the air conditioner 125), and a function of enabling various notifications to the user U. The processing device 209 can determine whether the short-range communication between the communication device 206 and the vehicle 10 is interrupted.

[0019] When the user U rides in the vehicle 10 with the child CH, there is a possibility that the user U forgets the child CH in the vehicle compartment and gets out of the vehicle after driving. In this case, the child CH may be left in the vehicle compartment. In particular, in seasons such as summer or winter, the ambient temperature can rise or fall excessively. If the abandonment of the child is not detected under such circumstances and the child is left in the vehicle compartment, it may cause the child's physical discomfort.

[0020] The vehicle 10 according to the embodiment has a configuration for addressing the above problems. Specifically, when a predetermined condition indicating that there is a possibility that the child CH has been left in the vehicle compartment is satisfied and the temperature detection value TV deviates from the reference range (for example, 10 °C or higher and less than 30 °C), the ECU 150 starts the air conditioner 125 to adjust the temperature in the vehicle compartment within the reference range.

[0021] With such a configuration, even if a child CH is left behind in the vehicle interior, the air conditioner 125 starts and the temperature in the vehicle interior is automatically adjusted to an appropriate temperature within the reference range. As a result, it is possible to avoid the temperature in the vehicle interior from rising or falling excessively in a situation where the child CH is left behind. As a result, it is possible to prevent the child from having a poor physical condition (for example, heat stroke).

[0022] Hereinafter, a specific example of a method (the aforementioned predetermined condition) for determining whether or not there is a possibility that a child CH has been left behind in the vehicle interior will be described.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed on the HMI device 204 of the mobile terminal 20. Referring to FIG. 2(A), the screen 305 is displayed as the initial screen when the application 208 is started, and includes a message 310 and buttons 320 and 325.

[0024] The message 310 asks the user U whether or not there is a child CH in the vehicle interior. The button 320 is operated when the user U confirms that there is a child CH in the vehicle interior. In response to the operation of the button 320, a signal S1 (FIG. 1) is transmitted from the communication device 206 of the mobile terminal 20 to the vehicle 10. The signal S1 indicates that there is a child CH in the vehicle interior. When the communication device 130 receives the signal S1 from the mobile terminal 20, the ECU 150 determines that there is a child CH in the vehicle interior. When it is confirmed that there is no child CH in the vehicle interior, the button 325 is operated by the user U. In this case, the signal S1 is not transmitted.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 2(B), when there is a child CH in the vehicle interior (the button 320 has been operated and the signal S1 has been received) and the vehicle 10 has reached the destination, the ECU 150 controls the communication device 130 to transmit a command INS (FIG. 1) for displaying the screen 405 to the mobile terminal 20. When the mobile terminal 20 receives the command INS, it displays the screen 405. The ECU 150 may control the communication device 130 to transmit the command INS to the mobile terminal 20 when the condition that the IG-SW 115 has been turned off is further satisfied.

[0026] The screen 405 includes a message 410 and a button 420. The message 410 queries the user U whether the child CH has gotten off the vehicle from the passenger compartment. The button 420 is operated when the user U confirms that the child CH has gotten off the vehicle from the passenger compartment. In response to the operation of the button 420, a signal S2 (FIG. 1) is transmitted from the communication device 206 of the mobile terminal 20 to the vehicle 10. The signal S2 indicates that the child CH has gotten off the vehicle from the passenger compartment.

[0027] After transmitting the command INS, when the communication device 130 has not received the signal S2 from the mobile terminal 20 and the short-range communication between the communication device 130 and the mobile terminal 20 has been interrupted, the ECU 150 determines that the aforementioned predetermined condition is satisfied and determines that there is a possibility that the child CH has been left behind in the passenger compartment.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 2(C), when the mobile terminal 20 detects the interruption of the short-range communication, the mobile terminal 20 displays a screen 505 on the HMI device 204. The screen 505 includes a message 510. The message 510 alerts the user U to confirm whether there is a child CH in the passenger compartment when returning to the vehicle 10. The mobile terminal 20 may emit a warning sound for alerting.

[0029] As described above, in the embodiment, by the display of the screen 405, the user U is motivated to confirm that the child CH has gotten off the vehicle from the passenger compartment. When the communication device 130 of the vehicle 10 receives the signal S2 from the mobile terminal 20 (when the button 420 is operated), the user U has surely confirmed that the child CH has gotten off the vehicle from the passenger compartment. Therefore, the child CH is not left behind in the passenger compartment. On the other hand, when the communication device 130 has not received the signal S2 (the button 420 has not been operated yet) and the short-range communication has been interrupted, that is, when the aforementioned predetermined condition is satisfied, it is highly possible that the user U has gotten off the vehicle 10 and gone far away without noticing the query by the screen 405. Therefore, the above condition accurately indicates the possibility that the child CH may be left behind in the passenger compartment. Based on the fact that this condition is satisfied, the ECU 150 can accurately determine that there is such a possibility.

[0030] To determine the possibility of a child CH being left in the vehicle interior, it is conceivable to attach a dedicated sensor for detecting the presence of the child CH in the vehicle interior to the vehicle. However, the detection accuracy of the sensor may decrease due to changes in the posture of the child or changes in body size accompanying the growth of the child. In this case, a child may be left in the vehicle interior. In the embodiment, since such a sensor is not required, such a situation can be avoided at low cost and reliably.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the processing executed by the ECU 150. This flowchart is started in response to the ON operation (activation of the driving system) of the IG-SW 115. At the start of this flowchart, it is assumed that the short-range communication between the communication device 130 and the mobile terminal 20 and the communication between the communication device 130 and the server 30 have been established and the activation of the application 208 has been completed. Hereinafter, the steps are also abbreviated as "S".

[0032] Referring to FIG. 3, the ECU 150 determines whether a child CH is riding in the vehicle interior according to whether a signal S1 transmitted from the mobile terminal 20 to the vehicle 10 is received after the display of the initial screen (screen 305) of the application 208 (S120).

[0033] If the child CH is not riding, specifically, if the ECU 150 has not received the signal S1 (NO in S120), the ECU 150 determines whether the vehicle 10 has reached the destination according to the position information of the GPS 110 (S130). Until the vehicle 10 reaches the destination (NO in S130), the user U can customize the set temperature and air volume of the air conditioner 125 using the application 208. When the vehicle 10 reaches the destination (YES in S130), the ECU 150 terminates the process after detecting the OFF operation (stopping of the driving system) of the IG-SW 115.

[0034] When the child CH is in the vehicle, specifically, when the ECU 150 receives the signal S1 (YES in S120), the ECU 150 determines whether the vehicle 10 has reached the destination (S140). Until the vehicle 10 reaches the destination (NO in S140), the user U uses the app 208 to customize the set temperature and air volume of the air conditioner 125 to adjust the temperature inside the vehicle to a suitable temperature. When the vehicle 10 reaches the destination (YES in S140), the air conditioner 125 is stopped by the user U, and the ECU 150 causes the screen 405 to be displayed by transmitting the command INS to the mobile terminal 20. Then, according to whether the signal S2 is received, it is determined whether the child CH has gotten off the vehicle (S150).

[0035] When the child CH has gotten off the vehicle, specifically, when the ECU 150 receives the signal S2 (YES in S150), the ECU 150 ends the process after detecting the off operation of the IG-SW 115. When the child CH has not gotten off the vehicle, specifically, when the ECU 150 has not yet received the signal S2 (NO in S150), after the off operation of the IG-SW 115, the ECU 150 switches the process according to whether the interruption of the short-range communication is detected (S160).

[0036] When the short-range communication has not been interrupted (NO in S160), the process returns to S150. When the short-range communication has been interrupted (YES in S160), the process proceeds to S180. In this case, the mobile terminal 20 displays a message 510 for attention or emits a warning sound.

[0037] After S160, the ECU 150 determines whether or not the temperature inside the vehicle cabin has deviated from the reference range according to the temperature detection value TV (S180). If the temperature inside the vehicle cabin is within the reference range (NO in S180), the process returns. If the temperature inside the vehicle cabin has deviated from the reference range (YES in S180), the ECU 150 starts the air conditioner 125 so as to adjust the temperature inside the vehicle cabin within the reference range (S190), and then ends the process. In this example, until the user U who has gotten out of the vehicle notices the message 510 for alert and returns to the vehicle 10 and the child CH is rescued, the temperature inside the vehicle cabin is adjusted to an appropriate temperature.

[0038] As described above, according to the embodiment, even if a child CH is left behind inside the vehicle cabin, it is possible to prevent a child's physical condition from deteriorating such as heat stroke.

[0039] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the claims, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0040] 1 Vehicle system, 10 Vehicle, 20 Portable terminal, 125 Air conditioner, 130, 206 Communication device, 135 Temperature sensor.

Claims

【Claim 1】 A temperature sensor that detects the temperature inside the vehicle cabin of a vehicle, and an air conditioner for adjusting the temperature inside the vehicle cabin, wherein when a predetermined condition indicating that there is a possibility that a child has been left behind in the vehicle cabin is satisfied and the temperature inside the vehicle cabin detected by the temperature sensor deviates from a reference range, the air conditioner starts to adjust the temperature inside the vehicle cabin within the reference range. An air conditioning system.

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