Vehicle

Abstract

To provide a vehicle that can suppress a decrease in comfort of an occupant seated on a vehicle seat.SOLUTION: A vehicle 10 includes: a vehicle seat 10 on which an occupant sits and having holes 36 on its surface 24A that communicate with the inner side; seat ventilations 32 through which air is suctioned to the inner side of the vehicle seat 10; an air conditioning unit that adjusts temperature inside a vehicle cabin by discharging warm or cool air into the vehicle cabin; a receiving unit that receives an instruction to operate heating by the air conditioning unit before the occupant gets in the vehicle; and a drive control unit that, when the instruction to operate heating is received, allows the air conditioning unit to discharge warm air into the vehicle cabin and allows the warm air to be suctioned through the seat ventilations 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle equipped with a vehicle seat having seat ventilation.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle seat that controls a seat heater and a seat ventilation mechanism based on room temperature information, solar radiation amount information, seat heater temperature information, and pad humidity information when it is recognized from a captured image of a camera that an occupant is seated on a seat cushion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the vehicle seat described in Patent Document 1, when an occupant sits on the seat, heat is transferred from the seat back side to the seat cushion side or into the seat, resulting in a decrease in the temperature of the vehicle seat and a possible decrease in the comfort of the occupant.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle capable of suppressing a decrease in the comfort of an occupant when sitting on a vehicle seat.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 1 has holes on its surface that communicate with the interior, a vehicle seat on which a passenger sits, seat ventilation that sucks air into the interior of the vehicle seat, an air conditioner that discharges warm or cold air into the vehicle interior to adjust the temperature of the vehicle interior, a receiving unit that receives an operation instruction for heating by the air conditioner before the passenger gets into the vehicle, and a drive control unit that, when receiving the operation instruction for heating, causes the air conditioner to discharge warm air into the vehicle interior and causes the seat ventilation to suck in the warm air.

[0007] In the vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 1, when the receiving unit receives an operation instruction for heating by the air conditioner before the passenger gets into the vehicle, the drive control unit causes the air conditioner to discharge warm air into the vehicle interior and causes the seat ventilation to suck in the warm air. Therefore, by sucking in the warm air generated by heating with the seat ventilation before the passenger gets into the vehicle, the interior of the vehicle seat can be warmed, so that a decrease in the temperature of the vehicle seat when the passenger sits down can be suppressed. Thereby, a decrease in the comfort when the passenger sits on the vehicle seat can be suppressed.

[0008] The vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 2 has, in the configuration described in claim 1, a seat heater that warms the surface of the vehicle seat on the side where the passenger sits, and the drive control unit switches from the operation of the seat ventilation to the operation of the seat heater when detecting that the passenger has boarded the vehicle.

[0009] In the vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 2, since the seat heater is operated when the passenger boards the vehicle, the vehicle seat is warmed by the seat heater, so that the comfort of the passenger when sitting on the vehicle seat can be further improved.

[0010] The vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 3 has, in the configuration described in claim 1 or claim 2, an electric register capable of electrically changing the direction of the warm air and the cold air, and the drive control unit controls the electric register so that the direction of the air faces the vehicle seat when receiving the operation instruction for heating.

[0011] In the vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 3, when the receiving unit receives the operation of the heating by the air conditioning unit before the occupant gets on the vehicle, the drive control unit controls the electric resistor so that the direction of the warm air faces the vehicle seat, so that the inside of the vehicle seat can be heated more efficiently.

[0012] The vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 4 has the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and when the drive control unit receives the operation instruction of the heating, the drive control unit sets at least one of the air volume and the temperature of the air conditioning unit to the maximum.

[0013] In the vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 4, when the receiving unit receives the operation of the heating by the air conditioning unit before the occupant gets on the vehicle, the drive control unit sets at least one of the air volume and the temperature of the air conditioning unit to the maximum, so that the inside of the vehicle seat can be heated more efficiently.

[0014] The vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 5 has the configuration according to claim 4, and when the drive control unit detects that the occupant has got on the vehicle, the drive control unit returns the air volume and the temperature of the warm air to normal.

[0015] In the vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 5, when the drive control unit detects that the occupant has got on the vehicle, the drive control unit returns the air volume and the temperature of the warm air to normal, so that when the occupant gets on the vehicle, the setting operation by the occupant can be made unnecessary, and the excessive air volume and the excessive temperature can be prevented, and the comfort of the occupant can be ensured.

Effect of the Invention

[0016] The vehicle according to the present invention has an excellent effect of being able to suppress a decrease in comfort when the occupant sits on the vehicle seat.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, a vehicle 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. Also, in each figure, the arrows UP, FR, LH, and RH shown as appropriate indicate the upward direction, forward direction, left side direction, and right side direction in the left - right direction (vehicle width direction) of the vehicle seat 20 mounted on the vehicle, respectively.

[0019] In the present embodiment, the vehicle 10 is, for example, any one of a gasoline vehicle, a hybrid vehicle (HEV; Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a plug - in hybrid vehicle (PHEV; Plug - in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a fuel cell vehicle (FCEV; Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle), an electric vehicle (BEV; Battery Electric Vehicle), and the like. Also, a vehicle seat 20 is mounted on the vehicle 10.

[0020] (Configuration of Vehicle Seat 20) The vehicle seat 20 of this embodiment is a seat installed in the vehicle 10. As shown in FIG. 1 as an example, it includes a seat cushion 22 on which an occupant sits (supporting the occupant's buttocks and thighs), a seat back 24 that supports the occupant's back, that is, constitutes a headrest, and a headrest 26 that supports the occupant's head.

[0021] The seat cushion 22 includes a cushion pad (not shown), a seat pan (not shown), and a seat skin (not shown). The cushion pad constitutes the seating surface portion of the vehicle seat 20 and is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin material having elasticity such as polyurethane foam (foamed polyurethane). The occupant sits on the upper side (seat surface) of the seat cushion 22. The seat pan is a frame that constitutes the skeleton of the seat cushion 22. The seat skin is formed of a flexible seat member such as cloth, leather, and synthetic leather.

[0022] The seat back 24 constitutes the backrest portion of the vehicle seat 20 and supports the back of the occupant sitting on the seat cushion 22 at the front side (seat surface) of the seat back 24. The seat back 24 includes a seat back frame (not shown), a seat back pad (not shown), and a seat skin 30. Further, in this embodiment, the seat back 24 includes a seat ventilation 32 and a seat heater 34.

[0023] The seat back frame constitutes the skeleton of the seat back 24. The seat back pad is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin material having elasticity such as polyurethane foam (foamed polyurethane).

[0024] The seat skin 30 has holes 36 that communicate with the interior on the surface. Specifically, the seat skin is made of a breathable material, such as fabric (cloth), natural leather with a large number of small holes, synthetic leather, etc. Here, in FIG. 1, the holes 36 are shown with exaggerated sizes and shapes, but actually the holes 36 are composed of smaller holes. Specifically, the holes 36 are, for example, holes formed by the meshes of a mesh-like material such as fabric, or the above-mentioned small holes in natural leather and synthetic leather.

[0025] The seat ventilation 32 is provided inside the seat back 24 as an example, and is composed of, for example, a fan, a blower, etc., and is a device that sucks air from the holes 36 of the seat skin 30 into the inside of the seat back 24. The seat ventilation 32 is configured to be able to switch the air volume in stages.

[0026] The seat heater 34 is a heater such as a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater, and as shown in FIG. 2, it is a heating device that uses heat generation by an electric current to warm the surface 24A on the side where the occupant of the seat back 24 sits, that is, the front side. The seat heater 34 is disposed, for example, on the surface 24A side inside the seat back 24, and is configured to be able to adjust the heating output in stages. In this embodiment, the seat heater 34 and the seat ventilation 32 are arranged at different positions in the front view, that is, so as not to overlap.

[0027] (Configuration of Vehicle 10) Next, the configuration of the vehicle 10 will be described. The vehicle 10 of this embodiment includes a vehicle ECU 50, a seat ventilation 32, a seat heater 34, an air conditioning unit 40, and an electric register 42, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0028] The vehicle ECU 50 is configured to include a CPU (Central Processing Unit: processor) 50A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 50B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 50C, a storage 50D, a communication interface (communication I / F) 50E, and an input / output interface (input / output I / F) 50F. Each component uses known technologies and is communicably connected to each other via a bus 50G.

[0029] Connected to the input / output I / F 50F are the above-described seat ventilation 32 and seat heater 34, the air conditioner unit 40, the electric resistor 42, and the like.

[0030] The air conditioner unit 40 is a device that discharges temperature-adjusted air such as warm air or cold air into the vehicle interior to adjust the temperature of the vehicle interior. In the present embodiment, the air conditioner unit 40 is configured to be able to adjust the temperature of the discharged air step by step and is also configured to be able to adjust the air volume of the discharged air step by step. Since the air conditioner unit 40 can use known technologies such as an air conditioning unit, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

[0031] As an example, as shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner unit 40 is disposed inside (on the vehicle front side) of an instrument panel 12 (hereinafter referred to as the "IP 12") provided at the front part of the vehicle interior of the vehicle 10. On the vehicle rear side with respect to the IP 12, a vehicle seat 20, which is a front seat (front seat), is provided. Further, on the outer side (vehicle rear side) of the IP 12, an air outlet (not shown) for discharging the air temperature-adjusted by the air conditioner unit 40 into the vehicle interior is provided.

[0032] The electric register 42 is a device capable of electrically changing the direction of warm air and cold air. Specifically, as an example, the electric register 42 is provided at the air outlet of the instrument panel 12 and includes a wind direction plate (not shown) capable of changing the wind direction and a motor for rotating the wind direction plate. In the present embodiment, as an example, the wind direction plate is composed of a plurality of fins arranged in parallel in the vehicle up-and-down direction (longitudinal direction). By rotating the plurality of fins about the vehicle width direction (lateral direction) by the above motor, the wind direction in the vehicle up-and-down direction is changed.

[0033] The vehicle ECU 50 realizes various functions by using the above hardware resources. As shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle ECU 50 includes a receiving unit 52 and a drive control unit 54 as functional configurations. Each functional configuration is realized by the CPU 50A reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 50B or the storage 50D.

[0034] The receiving unit 52 receives an operation instruction for heating by the air conditioning unit 40 before the occupant gets into the vehicle. Specifically, as an example, as shown in FIG. 5, the receiving unit 52 receives a heating request transmitted by a mobile terminal such as a smartphone via the communication I / F 50E.

[0035] Also, the receiving unit 52 of the present embodiment also functions as a detection unit for detecting the entry of the occupant into the vehicle 10 as an example. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the receiving unit 52 receives the approach of the occupant 62 holding the smart key corresponding to the vehicle 10, that is, the approach of the smart key, via the communication I / F 50E. The receiving unit 52 detects the entry of the occupant 62 by receiving a transmission signal transmitted from the smart key.

[0036] The receiving unit 52 of the present embodiment receives the above heating request by wireless communication and the transmission signal transmitted from the smart key via the communication I / F 50E every predetermined time.

[0037] Note that the function as a detection unit for detecting the boarding of passengers into the vehicle 10 is not limited to the above. For example, the receiving unit 52 may be configured to be able to receive a signal indicating the locking and unlocking of the door lock of the vehicle 10 from the communication I / F 50E or the input / output I / F 50F. As shown in FIG. 7, when the passenger 62 unlocks the door lock of the vehicle 10, the boarding of the passenger 62 may be detected. Further, for example, when the air-conditioning unit 40 has a timer unit that sets the operation time of the heating when the receiving unit 52 receives an operation instruction for the heating, when the set time has elapsed after the heating is operated, the receiving unit 52 may detect the boarding of the passenger 62 by receiving a signal from the timer unit. In this case, it is assumed that the heating in the vehicle interior can be completed within the set time. Further, the vehicle 10 may be provided with a plurality of the above configurations.

[0038] When the receiving unit 52 receives an operation instruction for the heating, the drive control unit 54 causes the air-conditioning unit 40 to discharge warm air into the vehicle interior and causes the seat ventilation 32 to suck in the discharged warm air. Specifically, the drive control unit 54 sets the temperature of the air discharged by the air-conditioning unit 40 to warm air (a temperature higher than the temperature in the vehicle interior), and drives and controls the air-conditioning unit 40 so that the air at the set temperature is discharged from the air outlet. In the present embodiment, as an example, when the receiving unit 52 receives an operation instruction for the heating, the drive control unit 54 sets the temperature of the air discharged by the air-conditioning unit 40 to the maximum. Further, as an example, when the receiving unit 52 receives an operation instruction for the heating, the drive control unit 54 sets the air volume of the air discharged from the air outlet to the maximum.

[0039] Further, when the receiving unit 52 receives an operation instruction for the heating, the drive control unit 54 controls the electric register 42 so that the direction of the air discharged from the air outlet faces the seat back 24. When the air-conditioning unit 40 can set a plurality of operation modes such as a face mode in which the air discharged from the air outlet is directed to the face or chest position of the passenger sitting on the vehicle seat 20 and a foot mode in which the air discharged from the air outlet is directed to the feet of the passenger, the drive control unit 54 sets the air-conditioning unit 40 to the face mode.

[0040] Further, when the reception unit 52 detects that the occupant has boarded the vehicle 10, the drive control unit 54 performs control to switch from the operation of the seat ventilation 32 to the operation of the seat heater 34.

[0041] Next, a series of processes executed in the vehicle ECU 50 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. 8. The display process executed in the vehicle ECU 50 is executed by the CPU 50A reading a program from the ROM 50B or the storage 50D, expanding it in the RAM 50C, and executing it.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 8, first, in step S11, the reception unit 52 determines whether or not it has received an operation instruction for heating by the air conditioning unit 40 before the occupant boards the vehicle. If the reception unit 52 has not received an operation instruction for heating (step S11), the reception unit 52 repeats the process of step S11 until it receives an operation instruction for heating. When the reception unit 52 receives an operation instruction for heating in step S11 (step S11; YES), in step S12, the reception unit 52 determines whether or not it has detected that the occupant has boarded the vehicle 10.

[0043] In step S12, if the occupant has not boarded the vehicle (step S12; NO), in step S13, the drive control unit 54 heats the inside of the seat back 24 with warm air by the air conditioning unit 40 and the seat ventilation 32. Specifically, the drive control unit 54 sets the temperature and the air volume of the air discharged from the air outlet by the air conditioning unit 40 to the maximum, and discharges warm air at the set temperature in the vehicle interior from the air outlet at the maximum air volume. Further, the drive control unit 54 controls the electric register 42 so that the direction of the air discharged from the air outlet faces the seat back 24. Then, the drive control unit 54 operates the seat ventilation 32 to suck the warm air discharged into the vehicle interior into the seat back 24.

[0044] Next, in step S14, the receiving unit 52 determines whether it has detected that the occupant has boarded the vehicle 10. If, in step S14, the occupant has not boarded (step S14; NO), the vehicle ECU 50 transfers the process to step S13, and the drive control unit 54 continues to warm the interior of the seat back 24 with warm air by the air conditioner 40 and the seat ventilation 32.

[0045] On the other hand, if the occupant has boarded in step S12 (step S12; YES), and if the occupant has boarded in step S14 (step S14; YES), the vehicle ECU 50 transfers the process to step S15.

[0046] In step S15, the drive control unit 54 normally sets the air conditioning by the air conditioner 40. Specifically, the drive control unit 54 returns the temperature and the air volume of the air discharged from the air outlet by the air conditioner 40 set to the maximum to the original set values. Further, the drive control unit 54 controls the electric register 42 so as to return the direction of the air discharged from the air outlet from the direction facing the seat back 24 to the original direction.

[0047] Next, in step S16, the drive control unit 54 stops the operation of the seat ventilation 32 and activates the seat heater 34. That is, the drive control unit 54 switches from the operation of the seat ventilation 32 to the operation of the seat heater 34, and the vehicle ECU 50 ends the series of processes.

[0048] (Function and Effect) Next, the function and effect of the present embodiment will be described.

[0049] In the vehicle 10 according to this embodiment, when the receiving unit 52 receives an operation instruction for heating by the air conditioning unit 40 before the occupant gets on the vehicle, the drive control unit 54 causes the air conditioning unit 40 to discharge warm air into the vehicle interior and sucks in the warm air by the seat ventilation 32. Therefore, by sucking in the warm air by the seat ventilation 32 before the occupant gets on the vehicle, the inside of the seat back 24 can be warmed, so that a temperature drop of the vehicle seat 20 when the occupant sits down can be suppressed. Thereby, a decrease in comfort when the occupant sits on the vehicle seat 20 can be suppressed.

[0050] Further, in the vehicle 10 according to this embodiment, since the seat heater 34 is operated when the occupant gets on the vehicle, the seat back 24 is warmed by the seat heater 34, so that the comfort of the occupant when the occupant sits on the vehicle seat 20 can be further improved.

[0051] Further, in the vehicle 10 according to this embodiment, when the receiving unit 52 receives the operation of heating by the air conditioning unit 40 before the occupant gets on the vehicle, the drive control unit 54 controls the electric register so that the direction of the warm air faces the vehicle seat, so that the inside of the seat back 24 can be warmed more efficiently.

[0052] Further, in the vehicle 10 according to this embodiment, when the receiving unit 52 receives the operation of heating by the air conditioning unit 40 before the occupant gets on the vehicle, the drive control unit 54 sets at least one of the air volume and the temperature of the air conditioning unit 40 to the maximum, so that the inside of the seat back 24 can be warmed more efficiently.

[0053] Further, in the vehicle 10 according to this embodiment, when the receiving unit 52 detects that the occupant gets on the vehicle, the drive control unit 54 returns the air volume and the temperature of the warm air to normal, so that when the occupant gets on the vehicle, the setting operation by the occupant can be made unnecessary, and the comfort of the occupant can be ensured by preventing the air volume from being too large and the temperature from being too high.

[0054] [Remarks] In the above-described embodiment, when the reception unit 52 receives an operation instruction for heating, the drive control unit 54 sets the temperature of the air discharged by the air conditioner unit 40 and the air volume of the air discharged from the air outlet to the maximum. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Only the temperature of the air discharged by the air conditioner unit 40 may be set to the maximum, or only the air volume of the air discharged from the air outlet may be set to the maximum.

[0055] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the vehicle 10 includes the electric register 42. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the vehicle 10 may not include the electric register 42.

[0056] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the vehicle 10 includes the seat heater 34. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the vehicle 10 may not include the seat heater 34.

[0057] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the vehicle 10 includes the seat heater 34 in the seat back 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the seat heater 34 may be further provided in the seat cushion 22.

[0058] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the seat ventilation 32 is disposed inside the seat back 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As long as it is possible to suck air into the seat back 24, it may be provided anywhere.

[0059] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the vehicle 10 provides the seat ventilation 32 in the seat back 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the seat ventilation 32 may be provided in the seat cushion 22, or may be provided in both the seat cushion 22 and the seat back 24.

[0060] Also, the configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the configuration can be appropriately changed as long as the problem can be solved.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0061] 10 Vehicle, 20 Seat for vehicle, 24A Surface, 32 Seat ventilation, 34 Seat heater, 36 Hole, 40 Air conditioning unit, 42 Electric register, 52 Receiver, 54 Drive control unit

Claims

1. A vehicle seat having holes on the surface that communicate with the interior and on which an occupant sits, seat ventilation that sucks air into the vehicle seat interior, an air conditioner that discharges warm or cold air into the vehicle interior to adjust the temperature in the vehicle interior, a receiving unit that receives an operation instruction for heating by the air conditioner before the occupant gets in the vehicle, a drive control unit that, when receiving the operation instruction for heating, causes the air conditioner to discharge warm air into the vehicle interior and causes the seat ventilation to suck in the warm air.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a seat heater that warms the surface of the vehicle seat on which the occupant sits, wherein the drive control unit switches from the operation of the seat ventilation to the operation of the seat heater when detecting that the occupant has boarded the vehicle.

3. A vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising an electric register capable of electrically changing the direction of the warm air and the cold air, wherein when the drive control unit receives the operation instruction for heating, the drive control unit controls the electric register so that the direction faces the vehicle seat.

4. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein when the drive control unit receives the operation instruction for heating, the drive control unit sets at least one of the air volume and the temperature of the air conditioner to the maximum.

5. A vehicle according to claim 4, wherein when the drive control unit detects that the occupant has boarded the vehicle, the drive control unit returns the air volume and the temperature of the warm air to normal.

Images