Heater device

Abstract

To improve comfort of a user.SOLUTION: In a luggage compartment heater device 10A, heaters 12 are provided in a plurality of areas forming a to-be-heated surface of a luggage compartment in a vehicle, temperature sensors 14 are provided in the areas, and a luggage compartment camera 20 and a user detection section 40 detect the presence / absence of a user in each of the areas. When starting controlling the heaters 12, a control section 42 stores an area in which a user U is present as a first area and after control of the heater 12 in the first area is started in such a manner that a temperature in the first area becomes a first temperature, in a case where the user U moves from the first area to a second area which is adjacent to the first area, the control section performs control for turning off the heater 12 in the first area and turning on the heater 12 in the second area as first control (temperature raising area fixing control).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a heater device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe a technology that determines whether an occupant is seated in a seat equipped with a seat heater, and turns off the heater if it is determined that no occupant is seated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-094185 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-012645 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a vehicle trunk heater installed in the trunk of a vehicle and used when sleeping in the vehicle, the location of the sleeping user may change as the user turns over in their sleep. If the trunk is divided into multiple areas, each with its own heater, and the system detects the area where the user is present and turns on the heater in the area where the user is present and turns off the heater in the area where the user is not present, the user's comfort may be impaired. For example, if the sleeping user feels hot and turns over in their sleep, the heater in the area where the user turned over is turned on, and the sleeping user cannot escape the heat.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a heater device that can improve user comfort. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The heater device of the first aspect includes a plurality of heaters respectively provided in a plurality of areas constituting a heated surface, a temperature detection unit capable of detecting the temperature of each of the plurality of areas, a first detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a user in each of the plurality of areas, and a control unit that, when starting control of the heater, stores the area in which the user is present as a first area, and after starting control of the heater in the first area so that the temperature of the first area becomes a first temperature, when the user moves from the first area to a second area adjacent to the first area, turns off the heater in the first area as a first control, or controls the heater in the first area so that the temperature of the first area becomes a second temperature lower than the first temperature, and turns off the heater in the second area.

[0007] In a first aspect, when heater control is initiated, the area where the user is present is stored as a first area, and control of the heater in the first area is initiated so that the temperature in the first area becomes a first temperature. Then, when the user moves from the first area to a second area adjacent to the first area, the heater in the first area is turned off, or the heater in the first area is controlled so that the temperature in the first area becomes a second temperature lower than the first temperature, and the heater in the second area is turned off. As a result, when a user who feels hot in the first area moves from the first area to the second area, the heater in the second area is turned off, allowing the user to escape the heat. Therefore, according to the first aspect, user comfort can be improved.

[0008] The second aspect is the first aspect, further including a second detection unit that detects the user's body temperature, and the control unit stores the area in which the user is present as a first area, and after starting to control the heater in the first area so that the temperature of the first area becomes a first temperature, performs the first control when the user moves from the first area to the second area and the user's body temperature is above a predetermined value.

[0009] In the second aspect, the first control is performed when a user moves from the first area to the second area and the user's body temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, so that the first control can be performed when it can be estimated that the user who moved from the first area to the second area felt hot in the first area. Therefore, according to the second aspect, it is possible to more accurately improve the comfort of the user.

[0010] The third aspect is the second aspect, in which the control unit performs a second control by turning off the heater in the first area and turning on the heater in the second area when, while performing the first control, the user remains in the second area for a first predetermined time or more and the user's body temperature remains below a predetermined value for a second predetermined time or more.

[0011] In the first control, turning off the heater in the second area where the user is present may result in a decrease in the user's body temperature over time. In contrast, in the third mode, if the user remains in the second area for a first predetermined time or longer and the user's body temperature remains below a predetermined value for a second predetermined time or longer, the heater in the first area is turned off and the heater in the second area is turned on. This makes it possible to improve the comfort of the user in the second area even if the user's body temperature decreases as the first control continues.

[0012] In the fourth aspect, in the second aspect, the control unit stores the area where the user is present as a first area, and starts controlling the heater in the first area so that the temperature of the first area becomes a first temperature.After that, when the user moves from the first area to the second area and the user's body temperature is less than a predetermined value, the control unit performs a second control to turn off the heater in the first area and turn on the heater in the second area.

[0013] In a fourth aspect, when a user moves from a first area to a second area and the user's body temperature is below a predetermined value, the second control is performed to turn off the heater in the first area and turn on the heater in the second area. As a result, if it can be estimated that the user who moved from the first area to the second area did not feel hot in the first area, the second control is performed to turn off the heater in the first area and turn on the heater in the second area. Therefore, according to the third aspect, the user's comfort can be improved even if the user did not feel hot in the first area.

[0014] In the fifth aspect, in the first aspect, when a user moves from the second area to the first area, the control unit controls the heater in the first area so that the temperature of the first area becomes the first temperature, and turns off the heater in the second area.

[0015] In the fifth aspect, when a user moves from the second area to the first area, the heater in the first area is controlled so that the temperature in the first area becomes the first temperature, thereby improving the comfort of the user returning from the second area to the first area. Also, because the heater in the second area is turned off, energy consumption can be reduced compared to when the heater in the second area is not turned off.

[0016] A sixth aspect is the first aspect, wherein the plurality of heaters are provided in a luggage compartment of a vehicle.

[0017] According to the sixth aspect, in an aspect in which a plurality of heaters are provided in the luggage compartment of a vehicle, it is possible to improve the comfort of the user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The present disclosure has an effect of improving user comfort. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1]1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a luggage compartment heater device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a luggage compartment heater ECU according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 5 is a flowchart showing a luggage compartment heater control process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] (A) is an image showing an example of the cargo compartment condition when the first area is memorized, (B) is when the user turns over in the heating area fixed mode, (C) is when the user returns to the first area in the heating area fixed mode, and (D) is an image showing an example of the cargo compartment condition in the heating area tracking mode. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a luggage compartment heater control process according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a luggage compartment heater device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a luggage compartment heater ECU according to a third embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a luggage compartment heater control process according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a luggage compartment heater control process according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing a luggage compartment heater control process according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0021] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a luggage compartment heater device 10A according to a first embodiment. The luggage compartment heater device 10A is an example of a heater device according to the present disclosure and includes multiple heaters 12. In this embodiment, the bottom surface (heated surface) of a luggage compartment of a vehicle is divided into multiple areas (e.g., area A and area B shown in FIG. 4), and multiple heaters 12 are provided for each area of ​​the luggage compartment of the vehicle. Each heater 12 includes a heating wire arranged two-dimensionally within the corresponding area, and the luggage compartment heater device 10A is capable of independently raising the temperature of each area of ​​the luggage compartment of the vehicle. Each area of ​​the luggage compartment of the vehicle is provided with a temperature sensor 14, such as a thermistor. The heater 12 may be a planar heater such as a film heater. The temperature sensor 14 is an example of a temperature detection unit according to the present disclosure.

[0022] The luggage compartment heater device 10A also includes a luggage compartment heater ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 24. The luggage compartment heater ECU 24 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 26 and a memory 28 such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory). The luggage compartment heater ECU 24 also includes a non-volatile storage unit 30 such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and an I / F (Interface) unit 34. The CPU 26, memory 28, storage unit 30, and I / F unit 34 are connected to each other via an internal bus 36 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0023] The I / F unit 34 is connected to a plurality of heaters 12 via a heater driver 16, and is also connected to a temperature sensor 14, a luggage compartment heater switch 18, and a luggage compartment camera 20. The heater driver 16 energizes the heaters 12 in response to instructions from a luggage compartment heater ECU 24 (a control unit 42 thereof, described later). The luggage compartment heater switch 18 is turned on and off by an occupant (user U: see FIG. 4) located in the luggage compartment. The luggage compartment camera 20 is mounted, for example, on the ceiling of the luggage compartment of the vehicle, and the imaging angle and direction are adjusted so as to capture an image of the entire luggage compartment of the vehicle.

[0024] The storage unit 30 of the luggage compartment heater ECU 24 stores a luggage compartment heater control program 32. The luggage compartment heater control program 32 is read from the storage unit 30 and loaded into the memory 28, and the luggage compartment heater control program 32 loaded into the memory 28 is executed by the CPU 26, whereby the luggage compartment heater ECU 24 functions as the user detection unit 40 and the control unit 42 shown in Fig. 2 and executes the luggage compartment heater control process (Fig. 3).

[0025] The user detection unit 40 detects the presence or absence of a user for each area of ​​the luggage compartment of the vehicle based on the image of the luggage compartment of the vehicle captured by the luggage compartment camera 20. The user detection unit 40 functions as an example of a first detection unit in the present disclosure by working in cooperation with the luggage compartment camera 20.

[0026] When the luggage compartment heater switch 18 is turned on, the control unit 42 performs a luggage compartment heater control process (described below). In this luggage compartment heater control process, when starting control of the heater 12, the control unit 42 stores the area where the user U is present as a first area and starts controlling the heater 12 in the first area so that the temperature of the first area becomes a first temperature T1. Furthermore, when the user detection unit 40 detects that the user U has moved from the first area to a second area adjacent to the first area, the control unit 42 performs a temperature increase area fixing control in which the heater 12 in the first area is turned off and the heater 12 in the second area is turned off. Note that this temperature increase area fixing control is an example of a first control in the present disclosure.

[0027] Next, as an operation of the first embodiment, a luggage compartment heater control process according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Note that this luggage compartment heater control process is executed by the luggage compartment heater ECU 24 when triggered by the luggage compartment heater switch 18 being turned on. In step 50 of the luggage compartment heater control process, the user detection unit 40 detects the area where the user U is present based on an image of the luggage compartment of the vehicle taken by the luggage compartment camera 20. The control unit 42 also stores the area where the user U is present (area A or area B) detected by the user detection unit 40 in the memory 28 or the like as a first area.

[0028] In step 52, the user detection unit 40 determines whether or not a user is present in the first area stored in the memory 28 or the like. If the determination in step 52 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 70, where the control unit 42 controls the heater driving unit 16 to turn on and off the heater 12 in the first area so that the temperature in the first area detected by the temperature sensor 14 in the first area becomes the first temperature T1. Also, in step 72, the control unit 42 controls the heater driving unit 16 to turn off the power to the heater 12 in the second area (see also FIG. 4(A)).

[0029] On the other hand, if the determination in step 52 is negative, the process proceeds to step 74, where the user detection unit 40 determines whether the user U is present in a second area different from the first area, based on an image of the luggage compartment of the vehicle captured by the luggage compartment camera 20. If the determination in step 74 is positive, that is, if the user U has moved from the first area to the second area by turning over in their sleep, the process proceeds to step 80. In step 80, the control unit 42 causes the heater driving unit 16 to turn off the power to the heaters in the first and second areas (see also FIG. 4(B)).

[0030] After the processing of step 72 or step 80 is performed, the process proceeds to step 96, where the control unit 42 determines whether the luggage compartment heater switch 18 has been turned off. If the determination of step 96 is negative, the process returns to step 52, and the processes from step 52 onward are repeated. If, during this time, the user U returns from the second area to the first area, for example by turning over in their sleep, the determination of step 52 becomes positive, and in steps 70 and 72, the heater 12 in the first area is controlled to be turned on and off so that the temperature of the first area becomes the first temperature T1, and the state returns to the state in which the power supply to the heater 12 in the second area is turned off (see also FIG. 4(C)).

[0031] If the luggage compartment heater switch 18 is turned off, the determination in step 96 is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step 98, where the luggage compartment heater control process is terminated after power is turned off to all heaters 12. If the user U has left the luggage compartment of the vehicle, the determination in step 74 is negative, and the process proceeds to step 98, where the power is turned off to all heaters 12, and the luggage compartment heater control process is terminated.

[0032] As described above, the luggage compartment heater device 10A according to the first embodiment includes a plurality of heaters 12 provided in a plurality of areas forming a heated surface, a temperature sensor 14 provided in each of the areas, and the luggage compartment camera 20 and the user detection unit 40 detect the presence or absence of a user in each of the plurality of areas. When starting control of the heaters 12, the control unit 42 stores the area where the user U is present as a first area, and after starting control of the heaters 12 in the first area so that the temperature in the first area becomes a first temperature, when the user U moves from the first area to a second area adjacent to the first area, performs a first control (temperature-rise area fixed control) to turn off the heaters 12 in the first area and also turn off the heaters 12 in the second area. As a result, when the user U who felt hot in the first area moves from the first area to the second area, the heaters 12 in the second area are turned off, allowing the user U to escape the heat, thereby improving the comfort of the user U.

[0033] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, when a user U moves from the second area to the first area, the control unit 42 controls the heater 12 in the first area so that the temperature in the first area becomes the first temperature T1, and turns off the heater 12 in the second area. This improves the comfort of the user who returns to the first area from the second area, and reduces energy consumption.

[0034] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Since the second embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the respective parts and the description of the configuration will be omitted. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5, only the parts of the luggage compartment heater control process according to the second embodiment that are different from the first embodiment will be described.

[0035] In the luggage compartment heater control process according to the second embodiment, if the determination in step 74 is affirmative because the user U is present in the second area, the process proceeds to step 76. In step 76, the control unit 42 determines whether the user U is asleep, for example, by determining whether the user U's eyes are closed in the image captured by the luggage compartment camera 20. If the determination in step 76 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 80, and the heater driving unit 16 turns off the power to the heaters in the first and second areas, as described above.

[0036] On the other hand, if the determination in step 76 is negative, the process proceeds to step 82. In step 82, the control unit 42 stores the area where the user U is currently located, i.e., the area that was previously the second area, as the first area in the memory 28 or the like, and proceeds to step 96. In this manner, if the user U moves from the first area to the second area while awake to adjust his / her posture, the heater in the area where the user is present continues to be energized. Furthermore, in the present disclosure, the first area is not limited to being set to the area where the user U was present when the luggage compartment heater switch 18 was turned on, and then maintained as such until the luggage compartment heater switch 18 is turned off. As described in the second embodiment, the area where the user U is present at that time may be appropriately re-set as the first area during the luggage compartment heater control process.

[0037] Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Note that the same parts as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0038] 6, a luggage compartment heater device 10B according to the third embodiment is provided with a thermal camera 22 instead of the luggage compartment camera 20 described in the first embodiment. The thermal camera 22 is provided, for example, on the ceiling of the luggage compartment of the vehicle, and the size and orientation of the temperature detection range are adjusted so that the entire luggage compartment of the vehicle is within the temperature detection range.

[0039] The luggage compartment heater ECU 24 reads the luggage compartment heater control program 32 from the storage unit 30 and expands it into the memory 28, and the luggage compartment heater control program 32 expanded into the memory 28 is executed by the CPU 26, thereby functioning as the user detection unit 40, body temperature detection unit 44, and control unit 42 shown in Figure 7 and executing the luggage compartment heater control process (Figure 8).

[0040] In the third embodiment, the user detection unit 40 detects the presence or absence of a user U for each area of ​​the luggage compartment of the vehicle based on a temperature distribution image of the luggage compartment of the vehicle detected by the thermal camera 22. The user detection unit 40 functions as an example of a first detection unit in the present disclosure by working together with the thermal camera 22. Also, in the third embodiment, the body temperature detection unit 44 detects the body temperature of a user U present in the luggage compartment of the vehicle based on the temperature distribution image of the luggage compartment of the vehicle detected by the thermal camera 22. The body temperature detection unit 44 functions as an example of a second detection unit in the present disclosure by working together with the thermal camera 22.

[0041] In addition, in the third embodiment, the control unit 42 stores the area where the user U is present as the first area, and after starting to control the heater 12 in the first area so that the temperature of the first area becomes the first temperature, when the user U moves from the first area to the second area and the body temperature of the user U is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the control unit 42 turns off the heater 12 in the first area and turns off the heater 12 in the second area.

[0042] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the control unit 42 stores the area where the user U is present as the first area, starts controlling the heater 12 in the first area so that the temperature of the first area becomes the first temperature T1, and then, when the user U moves from the first area to the second area and the body temperature of the user U is less than a predetermined value, performs temperature rise area tracking control to turn off the heater 12 in the first area and turn on the heater 12 in the second area. Note that the above temperature rise area tracking control is an example of the second control in the present disclosure.

[0043] Next, as an operation of the third embodiment, the luggage compartment heater control process according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8, focusing only on the differences from the first embodiment. In the luggage compartment heater control process according to the third embodiment, if the determination in step 52 is affirmative because user U is present in the first area, the process proceeds to step 58. In step 58, the body temperature detection unit 44 detects the body temperature of user U present in the first area of ​​the luggage compartment of the vehicle based on the temperature distribution image of the luggage compartment of the vehicle detected by the thermal camera 22.

[0044] In the next step 60, the control unit 42 determines whether the body temperature of the user U detected in step 58 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. If the determination in step 60 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 62. Then, in step 62, the control unit 42 controls the heater driving unit 16 to turn off the heater 12 in the first area and also to turn off the heater 12 in the second area.

[0045] On the other hand, if the determination in step 60 is negative, the process proceeds to step 70. In step 70, the control unit 42 controls the heater 12 in the first area by the heater driving unit 16 so that the first area reaches the first temperature T1. In addition, in step 72, the control unit 42 controls the heater driving unit 16 to turn off the heater 12 in the second area.

[0046] On the other hand, if the user U moves from the first area to the second area and the determination in step 74 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 76. In step 76, the body temperature detection unit 44 detects the body temperature of the user U who is in the second area of ​​the luggage compartment of the vehicle based on the temperature distribution image of the luggage compartment of the vehicle detected by the thermal camera 22.

[0047] In step 78, the control unit 42 determines whether the body temperature of the user U detected in step 76 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. If the determination in step 78 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 80. Then, in step 80, the control unit 42 performs temperature rise area fixing control by controlling the heater driving unit 16 to turn off the heater 12 in the first area and to turn off the heater 12 in the second area.

[0048] On the other hand, if the determination in step 78 is negative, the process proceeds to step 90, where temperature rise area tracking control is performed in steps 90 and 92. That is, in step 90, the control unit 42 causes the heater driving unit 16 to turn off the heater 12 in the first area. Also, in step 92, the control unit 42 controls the heater driving unit 16 to control the heater 12 in the second area so that the second area reaches the first temperature T1 (see also FIG. 4(D)).

[0049] As described above, the luggage compartment heater device 10B according to the third embodiment further includes a thermal camera 22 and a body temperature detection unit 44 that detect the body temperature of the user U. The control unit 42 stores the area where the user U is present as the first area, and after starting to control the heater 12 in the first area so that the temperature in the first area becomes the first temperature T1, if the user U moves from the first area to the second area and the body temperature of the user U is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the control unit 42 performs control to turn off the heater 12 in the first area and also turn off the heater 12 in the second area. This allows the first control to be performed when it is estimated that the user U who moved from the first area to the second area felt hot in the first area, thereby more accurately improving the comfort of the user U.

[0050] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the control unit 42 stores the area where the user U is present as the first area, starts controlling the heater 12 in the first area so that the temperature of the first area becomes the first temperature T1, and then, when the user U moves from the first area to the second area and the body temperature of the user U is below a predetermined value, performs control to turn off the heater 12 in the first area and turn on the heater 12 in the second area. As a result, when it can be estimated that the user U who moved from the first area to the second area did not feel hot in the first area, control is performed to turn off the heater in the first area and turn on the heater in the second area, so that the comfort of the user U can be improved even when the user U did not feel hot in the first area.

[0051] [Fourth embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Note that the same parts as those in the third embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0052] The control unit 42 of the fourth embodiment performs a second control, which turns off the heater 12 in the first area and turns on the heater 12 in the second area, when the user U remains in the second area for a first predetermined time t1 or more and the user U's body temperature remains below a predetermined value for a second predetermined time t2 or more while performing the first control (temperature rise area fixed control).

[0053] Next, as an operation of the fourth embodiment, the cargo compartment heater control process according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9, focusing only on the differences from the third embodiment. In the cargo compartment heater control process according to the fourth embodiment, after turning off the heaters in the first and second areas in step 62, the process proceeds to step 64. In step 64, the control unit 42 determines whether the time spent in the first area by the user U is equal to or longer than the first predetermined time t1. If the determination in step 64 is negative, the process proceeds to step 96.

[0054] If the determination in step 64 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 66. In step 66, the body temperature detection unit 44 detects the body temperature of the user U present in the first area of ​​the luggage compartment of the vehicle based on the temperature distribution image of the luggage compartment of the vehicle detected by the thermal camera 22. In the next step 68, it is determined whether the state in which the body temperature of the user U is below a predetermined value has continued for a second predetermined time t2 or more. If the determination in step 68 is negative, the process proceeds to step 96. If the determination in step 68 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 70, where the control unit 42 controls the heater 12 of the first area by the heater driving unit 16 so that the first area reaches a first temperature T1. In step 72, the control unit 42 controls the heater driving unit 16 to turn off the heater 12 of the second area.

[0055] In the luggage compartment heater control process according to the fourth embodiment, after turning off the heaters in the first and second areas in step 80, the process proceeds to step 84. In step 84, the control unit 42 determines whether the time spent in the second area by the user U is equal to or longer than the first predetermined time t1. If the determination in step 84 is negative, the process proceeds to step 96.

[0056] Furthermore, if the determination in step 84 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 86. In step 86, the body temperature detection unit 44 detects the body temperature of the user U present in the second area of ​​the vehicle's luggage compartment based on the temperature distribution image of the vehicle's luggage compartment detected by the thermal camera 22. In the next step 88, it is determined whether the state in which the body temperature of the user U is below a predetermined value has continued for a second predetermined time t2 or more. If the determination in step 88 is negative, the process proceeds to step 96. On the other hand, if the determination in step 88 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 90, and temperature rising area tracking control is performed in steps 90 and 92.

[0057] Thus, in the fourth embodiment, when the user U remains in the second area for a first predetermined time t1 or more and the user U's body temperature remains below a predetermined value for a second predetermined time t2 or more while the first control (temperature-rising area fixed control) is being performed, the control unit 42 performs the second control (temperature-rising area following control) to turn off the heater in the first area and turn on the heater in the second area. This makes it possible to improve the comfort of the user in the second area even when the body temperature of a user who moves from the first area to the second area drops as the first control (temperature-rising area fixed control) continues.

[0058] Fifth Embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Since the fifth embodiment has the same configuration as the fourth embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the respective parts, and the description of the configuration will be omitted. As an operation of the fifth embodiment, the luggage compartment heater control process according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10, focusing only on the parts that are different from the first embodiment.

[0059] In the luggage compartment heater control process according to the fifth embodiment, if the determination in step 74 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 80, where the heaters in the first and second areas are turned off. After the process in step 80 is completed, the process proceeds to step 94, where the control unit 42 determines whether the time spent by the user U in the second area is equal to or longer than the first predetermined time t1. If the determination in step 94 is negative, the process proceeds to step 96. If the determination in step 94 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 90, where temperature rising area follow-up control is performed in steps 90 and 92.

[0060] In this way, in the fifth embodiment, when the time spent by the user U in the second area reaches or exceeds the first predetermined time t1, temperature rise area tracking control is performed without detecting the body temperature of the user U. This makes it possible to omit the thermal camera 22 that functions as the second detection unit, as in the first embodiment, and to simplify the configuration of the heater device according to the present disclosure.

[0061] In the above first to fifth embodiments, the first control (temperature-rise area fixed control) is described as a mode in which control is performed to turn off the heater 12 in the first area in step 80 or step 90, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the heater 12 in the first area may be controlled so that the temperature of the first area becomes a second temperature T2 that is lower than the first temperature T1.

[0062] In addition, in the above-described embodiments, an example of a temperature detection unit capable of detecting the temperature of each of a plurality of areas has been described in which a temperature sensor 14 is provided in each area, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the thermal camera 22 described in the third embodiment can also function as a temperature detection unit.

[0063] Furthermore, as an example of a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a user in each of the multiple areas, the first embodiment has been described with a configuration in which a luggage compartment camera 20 is provided, and the third embodiment has been described with a configuration in which a thermal camera 22 is provided. However, the above sensors are not limited to these, and may be, for example, millimeter wave radar, a body pressure sensor, or the like.

[0064] In addition, in the above embodiment, the bottom surface (heated surface) of the vehicle's luggage compartment is divided into two areas (area A and area B shown in Figure 4), but the heated surface may also be divided into three or more areas.

[0065] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as an example of a heater device according to the present disclosure, a configuration in which the heater 12 is installed in the luggage compartment of a vehicle is described, but the present disclosure is not limited to this and can also be applied to electric carpets, etc.

[0066] Furthermore, although the above describes a state in which the cargo compartment heater control program 32 is pre-stored (installed) in the memory unit 30, the cargo compartment heater control program 32 can also be provided in a form in which it is recorded on a non-temporary recording medium such as an HDD, SSD, or DVD. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 10A, 10B Luggage compartment heater device 12 Heater 14 Temperature Sensor 20 Cargo compartment camera 22 Thermal Camera 24 Luggage compartment heater ECU 40 User detection unit 42 Control Unit 44 Body temperature detection unit

Claims

1. a plurality of heaters provided in a plurality of areas forming the heated surface; a temperature detection unit capable of detecting the temperature of each of the plurality of areas; a first detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a user in each of the plurality of areas; a control unit that, when starting control of the heater, stores an area where a user is present as a first area, and after starting control of the heater in the first area so that the temperature of the first area becomes a first temperature, when the user moves from the first area to a second area adjacent to the first area, performs a first control of turning off the heater in the first area, or controlling the heater in the first area so that the temperature of the first area becomes a second temperature lower than the first temperature, and also turning off the heater in the second area; A heater device comprising:

2. Further including a second detection unit that detects a body temperature of the user; The heater device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stores the area where the user is present as a first area, and after starting to control the heater in the first area so that the temperature of the first area becomes a first temperature, performs the first control when the user moves from the first area to the second area and the user's body temperature is above a predetermined value.

3. 3. The heater device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit performs a second control to turn off the heater in the first area and turn on the heater in the second area when the user remains in the second area for a first predetermined time or more and the user's body temperature remains below a predetermined value for a second predetermined time or more while performing the first control.

4. The heater device of claim 2, wherein the control unit stores the area where the user is present as a first area, and after starting to control the heater in the first area so that the temperature of the first area becomes a first temperature, when the user moves from the first area to the second area and the user's body temperature is less than a predetermined value, performs a second control to turn off the heater in the first area and turn on the heater in the second area.

5. The heater device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the heater in the first area so that the temperature of the first area becomes the first temperature when the user moves from the second area to the first area, and turns off the heater in the second area.

6. 2. The heater device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of heaters are provided in a luggage compartment of a vehicle.

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