Vehicle heating system

Abstract

To provide a vehicle heating system that enhances the thermal effect on occupants while achieving a uniform thermal effect on them. [Solution] The vehicle heating system 2 comprises a seat heater 130 mounted on the seat 100 of the vehicle 10, and a radiant heater 1 mounted on the vehicle 10 to warm the sides of the occupants. When viewed along the lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 10, the radiant heater heating region where the heating element of the radiant heater 1 is generating heat does not overlap with the seat heating region where the heating element of the seat heater 130 is generating heat.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle heating device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a heater system including a heat conduction heater that transfers heat to a human body by heat conduction, a radiation heater that transfers heat to a human body by radiation, and a control unit that controls the heat conduction heater and the radiation heater. In this heater system, when changing the amount of heat transferred from the heat conduction heater to the human body and the amount of heat transferred from the radiation heater to the human body in联动, the change in the amount of heat transferred from the radiation heater to the human body can be delayed compared to the change in the amount of heat transferred from the heat conduction heater to the human body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the transient period for giving a warm feeling to the occupant, since the heat conduction heater and the radiation heater are fully open, it is considered important to control the amount of heat transferred from the heat conduction heater and the radiation heater to the human body in联动in the stable period after the transient period. Therefore, for example, when a radiation heater for warming the side surface of the occupant is mounted on a vehicle, when viewed along the side surface direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the space warmed by the heat conduction heater and the space warmed by the radiation heater may overlap. In this case, a difference occurs between the heat transfer efficiency of the heat conduction heater with respect to the occupant and the heat transfer efficiency of the radiation heater with respect to the occupant. For this reason, in the stable period, the warm feeling from the heat conduction heater becomes dominant, and there is a problem that the occupant has difficulty feeling the warming effect from the radiation heater.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide a vehicle heating system that can enhance the thermal effect on the occupants while achieving a uniform thermal effect on the occupants. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vehicle heating system according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a seat heater mounted on a vehicle seat and a radiant heater mounted on the vehicle to warm the sides of the occupants, wherein, when viewed along a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the radiant heater heating region where the heating element of the radiant heater is generating heat does not overlap with the seat heating region where the heating element of the seat heater is generating heat. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a vehicle heating system that can enhance the thermal effect on the occupants while achieving a uniform thermal effect on the occupants. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of the use of a vehicle heating system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the use of a radiant heater and a seat heater mounted on a vehicle according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a radiant heater. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a seat equipped with a seat heater. [Figure 5A] Figure 5A shows the case where the radiant heater heating region and the sheet heating region are in contact. [Figure 5B] Figure 5B shows the case where the radiant heater heating region and the sheet heating region are separated. [Figure 6A] Figure 6A is a top view showing the case where the radiant heater heating region and the sheet heating region are continuous. [Figure 6B] Figure 6B is a top view showing the case where the radiant heater heating region and the sheet heating region are separated. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is another diagram showing an example of the use of a vehicle heating system according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a plan view showing the heater element. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows the case where the radiant heater and the sheet heater are in contact. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows the case where a radiant heater and a sheet heater overlap. [Figure 11A] Figure 11A shows the case where only the pair of cushion bolsters are heated, and the area where the radiant heater and the seat overlap is not heated. [Figure 11B] Figure 11B shows a case where the radiant heater's heating region is significantly extended towards the rear of the vehicle, in contact with a pair of bolster heating regions, compared to Figure 11A. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows the timing of the energizing period for the radiant heater and the energizing period for the sheet heater. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, components, arrangement positions of components, and connection configurations shown in the following embodiments are examples only and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Furthermore, any components in the following embodiments that are not described in an independent claim will be described as optional components.

[0010] Furthermore, each figure is a schematic diagram and not necessarily a strictly accurate representation. Therefore, for example, the scale and other aspects may not necessarily match in each figure. Also, in each figure, substantially identical components are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted or simplified.

[0011] In addition, in the following embodiments, expressions such as plate-shaped and side surface direction are used. For example, the plate-shaped and side surface direction not only mean a completely plate body and a completely side surface direction, but also substantially a plate body and substantially a side surface direction, that is, for example, it also means including an error of about several percent. Further, the plate-shaped and side surface direction mean a plate body and a side surface direction within a range where the effects according to the present disclosure can be achieved. The same applies to expressions using other "shapes" and "directions".

[0012] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] (First Embodiment) <Configuration and Function> First, the configuration of the vehicle heating device 2 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a usage example of the vehicle heating device 2 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a usage example of the radiation heater 1 and the seat heater 130 mounted on the vehicle 10 according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the radiation heater 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the seat 100 equipped with the seat heater 130.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle heating device 2 includes a radiation heater 1 mounted in the vehicle compartment 11 of the vehicle 10 traveling on a road, a first control unit 51, a seat heater 130 mounted on the seat 100 of the vehicle 10, a second control unit 52, and a processing unit 53.

[0016] The radiation heater 1 constitutes a part of the heating device in the vehicle compartment 11. The radiation heater 1 is a heater that generates heat when powered from the power supply unit 15 mounted on the vehicle 10. The radiation heater 1 can radiate infrared rays in the vehicle compartment 11 by generating heat. The radiation heater 1 in the present embodiment has a flat plate shape and can radiate infrared rays that become radiant heat for warming the object to be heated.

[0017] Such a radiant heater 1 can be used, for example, as a device to further warm the occupants of the vehicle 10 after the heating function of the air conditioning system installed in the vehicle 10 has been activated.

[0018] The radiant heater 1 is positioned in the passenger compartment 11 so as to face the occupants. For example, in Figure 1, the radiant heater 1 is mounted at the feet of the occupants seated in the seats of the vehicle 10, on the under panel at the occupants' feet, and on the door trim 10a. The radiant heater 1 may also be mounted on the roof, center pillar (B-pillar), dashboard, under the steering column, under the center console 10b, etc., and may be positioned to surround the occupants' feet. Figure 2 illustrates a case where the radiant heater 1 is positioned under the door trim 10a and under the center console 10b of the vehicle 10 so as to correspond to the occupants' lower legs and feet.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the radiant heater 1 comprises a radiant surface material 44, a heater element 40, a heat insulating layer 45, a case 20, and a cover member 30. In the radiant heater 1, the radiant surface material 44, the heater element 40, and the heat insulating layer 45 are stacked in that order.

[0020] The heater element 40 is composed of a base material 41 and a heating element 42.

[0021] The base material 41 is made of a flexible resin material that has electrical insulating properties and can withstand the heat generated when the heating element 42 generates heat. The flexible resin material is, for example, a nonwoven fabric.

[0022] The heating element 42 is arranged on the first surface of the substrate 41 to form a zigzag pattern. The heating element 42 is electrically connected to the power supply unit 15 in Figure 1, and generates heat when the power supply from the power supply unit 15 in Figure 1 is controlled by the first control unit 51. The heating element 42 is, for example, a heater wire, but may also be a film heater or the like.

[0023] A heat insulating layer 45 is placed on the second surface 40b of the heater element 40, which is opposite to the first surface 40a. The heat insulating layer 45 is made of an insulating material or an air layer and shields the heat transmitted from the heating element 42 through the base material 41.

[0024] A radiant surface material 44 is placed on the first surface 40a of the heater element 40. The radiant surface material 44 is a sheet that generates infrared rays due to the heat transmitted from the heater element 40. The heat conducted to the radiant surface material 44 allows the radiant surface material 44 to radiate the heat from the heater element 40 as infrared rays toward the cover member 30. These infrared rays are radiated to the outside of the radiant heater 1 through the mesh portion 32 of the cover member 30. The radiant surface material 44 can be of any form as long as it generates radiant heat due to heat. In this embodiment, a dark-colored sheet is used as the radiant surface material 44. Dark-colored sheets have the characteristic of emitting infrared rays when heat is applied. Also, the darker the color, the higher the emissivity. For this reason, it is preferable that the radiant surface material 44 is a black sheet. In this embodiment, black acetate tape is used as the radiant surface material 44.

[0025] Case 20 is positioned inside the passenger compartment 11, facing the occupants. Case 20 is a container housing the heater element 40, the insulation layer 45, and the like. One side of Case 20 is open, and a cover member 30 is attached to the open portion.

[0026] The cover member 30 has a top plate portion 31 which is a flat rectangular plate. The top plate portion 31 has a mesh portion 32 which has a mesh structure in which a plurality of through holes are formed.

[0027] The first control unit 51 can control the radiant heater 1. That is, the first control unit 51 can supply power from the power supply unit 15 to the radiant heater 1 to generate heat and emit infrared rays, or adjust the amount of infrared radiation by increasing or decreasing the supplied power. The first control unit 51 can also stop supplying power.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the seat 100 is, for example, an in-vehicle seat installed in a vehicle 10, and is a seat for an occupant to sit in. The seat 100 comprises a seat portion 110, a seat back 120, and a seat heater 130.

[0029] The seat portion 110 is a seat cushion that supports the buttocks and thighs of an occupant seated on the seat 100. The seat portion 110 comprises a seat portion 111 that supports the occupant while seated, and a pair of cushion bolsters 112 and 113 positioned on the right and left sides of the seat portion 111 when the occupant is seated on the seat 100. The pair of cushion bolsters 112 and 113 are elongated portions in the front-to-back direction and protrude upward from the seat portion 111. The pair of cushion bolsters 112 and 113 is an example of a side bolster.

[0030] The seat portion 110 includes a first seat pad 115 and a first cover body 116 that covers the first seat pad 115. A portion of the seat heater 130 is positioned between the first seat pad 115 and the first cover body 116.

[0031] The seat back 120 is a backrest that supports the shoulders, back, and waist of an occupant seated on the seat 100. The seat back 120 is elongated in the vertical direction and is positioned to rise up relative to the seat 110. On the front of the seat back 120 in the forward direction of the vehicle 10, there is a lower back main 121, an upper back main 122, and a pair of back bolsters 123 and 124. The pair of back bolsters 123 and 124 is an example of a side bolster.

[0032] The lower back main section 121 is the part that supports the occupant's waist and other areas while seated. The upper back main section 122 is located above the lower back main section 121 and is the part that can support the occupant's shoulders and back.

[0033] A pair of back bolsters 123 and 124 are positioned on the right and left sides of the lower back main 121 and upper back main 122, respectively. The pair of back bolsters 123 and 124 are elongated in the vertical direction and protrude forward from the lower back main 121 and upper back main 122.

[0034] The seat back 120 has a second seat pad 125 which is equivalent to a cushioning material, and a second cover body 126 which covers the second seat pad 125. A part of the seat heater 130 is positioned between the second seat pad 125 and the second cover body 126.

[0035] Here, the seating area 111 and the lower back main 121, which are areas with a large contact area with the occupant when seated, are referred to as the first region 141, and the pair of cushion bolsters 112, 113, the upper back main 122, and the pair of back bolsters 123, 124, which are areas with a small contact area with the occupant when seated, are referred to as the second region 142. The second region 142 is a separate region that does not overlap with the first region 141.

[0036] In Figure 4, the installation area of ​​the seat heater 130 is shown by dot hatching. The seat heater 130 comprises a first part 131 (light dot hatching in Figure 4) located in the first area 141 and a second part 132 (dark dot hatching in Figure 4) located in the second area 142.

[0037] Part 1 131 comprises a first base material and a first heating element. The first base material covers the entire area constituting the seating portion 111 (first region 141) of the first seat pad 115. The first heating element is a heating element such as a cord heater. The first heating element is located on the upper surface of the first base material. The first heating element is electrically connected to the power supply unit 15 in Figure 1, and generates heat when the power supply from the power supply unit 15 in Figure 1 is controlled by the second control unit 52. The first heating element is, for example, a heater wire, but may also be a film heater or the like.

[0038] Here, we illustrate with an example of a second part 132 provided on the seat portion 110, but the basic structure is the same for a second part 132 provided on the seat back 120.

[0039] Part 2 132 comprises a second base material and a second heating element. The second base material completely covers the areas constituting each cushion bolster 112, 113 (second region 142) in the first sheet pad 115. The second heating element is, for example, a heater wire such as a cord heater. The second heating element is arranged on the surface of the second base material. The second heating element is electrically connected to the power supply unit 15 in Figure 1, and generates heat when the power supply from the power supply unit 15 in Figure 1 is controlled by the second control unit 52. The second heating element is, for example, a heater wire, but may also be a film heater or the like.

[0040] The second control unit 52 can control the seat heater 130. In other words, the second control unit 52 can supply power from the power supply unit 15 to the seat heater 130 to generate heat, or adjust the amount of heat generated by increasing or decreasing the power supplied. The second control unit 52 can also stop supplying power.

[0041] The processing unit 53 can supply power to the radiant heater 1 and the sheet heater 130 by outputting instructions to the first control unit 51 and the second control unit 52. The processing unit 53 manages and controls the heat generation state of the radiant heater 1 and the sheet heater 130 via the first control unit 51 and the second control unit 52.

[0042] Next, the function of the vehicle heating device 2 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5A to 6B. In this embodiment, when viewed along the lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 10, the heating element 42 of the radiant heater 1 and the heating elements (first heating element and second heating element) of the seat heater 130 do not physically overlap.

[0043] Figure 5A shows the case where the radiant heater heating region and the sheet heating region are in contact. Figure 5B shows the case where the radiant heater heating region and the sheet heating region are separated. In Figures 5A and 5B, the radiant heater heating region is shown by a dashed line, and the sheet heating region is shown by a double-dashed line. In this embodiment, the "heating region" refers to the region where the heating element 42 of the radiant heater 1 and / or the heating elements (first heating element and second heating element) of the sheet 100 are operating and generating heat. Figure 5B shows the case where a radiant heater heating region is formed by the heating of a part of the radiant heater 1. In Figures 5A and later, the radiant heater heating region may be shown by a dashed line, and the sheet heating region may be shown by a double-dashed line. Figure 6A is a top view showing the case where the radiant heater heating region and the sheet heating region are continuous. Figure 6B is a top view showing the case where the radiant heater heating region and the sheet heating region are separated.

[0044] In this vehicle heating system 2, when viewed along the lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 10, the radiant heater heating area for heating objects located inside the passenger compartment 11 of the vehicle 10 does not overlap with the seat heating area for heating by the seat heater 130.

[0045] For example, as shown in Figure 5A, the radiant heater heating area formed at the occupant's feet by the radiant heater 1 located at the bottom of the door trim 10a and the seat heating area formed by the first part 131 and / or the second part 132 located on the seat 110 are the closest radiant heater heating area and seat heating area formed in the passenger compartment 11, touching near the occupant's knees but positioned to be continuous without overlapping. On the other hand, the radiant heater heating area formed on the occupant's arms by the radiant heater 1 located at the top of the door trim 10a and the seat heating area formed by the first part 131 and / or the second part 132 located on the seat back 120 are spaced apart and formed to not overlap.

[0046] Note that the size and placement of each radiant heater 1 are merely examples. Therefore, the radiant heater heating area of ​​the radiant heater 1 and the sheet heating area formed by the first part 131 and / or the second part 132 placed on the sheet back 120 may be continuous.

[0047] As shown in Figure 6A, the continuity between the radiant heater heating region and the sheet heating region means that the distance L1 between the sheet heating region and the radiant heater heating region is less than the distance L2 between the heater wires when the heating element 133 in the sheet heater 130 is a heater wire (for example, less than approximately 10 mm).

[0048] Furthermore, the radiant heater heating region of the radiant heater 1 and the sheet heating region formed by the first part 131 and / or the second part 132 arranged on the sheet back 120 may be discontinuous.

[0049] As shown in Figure 6B, discontinuity means that the distance L1 between the sheet heating region and the radiant heater heating region is greater than or equal to the heater wire pitch L2 (for example, about 10 mm or more) when the heating element in the sheet heater is the heater wire.

[0050] In Figures 5A and 5B, the seat heater 130 and the radiant heater 1 are positioned so as not to overlap when viewed along the side of the vehicle 10, in order to prevent the radiant heater heating area and the seat heating area from overlapping.

[0051] In this embodiment, the seat 100, which is typically mounted on the vehicle 10, is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, regardless of the position of the seat 100, the seat heating area of ​​the seat heater 130 and the radiant heater heating area of ​​the radiant heater 1 are arranged so as not to overlap when viewed along the side of the vehicle 10.

[0052] Considering the movement of the seat 100, when the seat heater 130 is closest to the radiant heater 1 due to the movement of the seat 100, the seat heating region of the seat heater 130 and the radiant heater heating region of the radiant heater 1 may be in contact when viewed along the side of the vehicle 10. In this case, the seat heating region and the radiant heater heating region can be said to be continuous.

[0053] Furthermore, when the sheet heater 130 is closest to the radiant heater 1 due to the movement of the sheet 100, a gap may be formed between the sheet heater 130 and the radiant heater 1 when viewed along the lateral direction. In this case, it can be said that a gap is formed between the sheet heating region and the radiant heater heating region. In this case, it can be said that the sheet heating region and the radiant heater heating region are discontinuous.

[0054] Note that the positions of the radiant heater heating area and the seat heating area in Figures 5A and 5B are merely examples, and the formation of the radiant heater heating area and the seat heating area to correspond to different parts of the occupant is not limited to what is shown in this embodiment.

[0055] Furthermore, the vehicle compartment 11 may have areas where the radiant heater heating area and the seat heating area are continuous, and areas where the radiant heater heating area and the seat heating area are discontinuous.

[0056] <Effects and Effects> Next, the operation and effects of the vehicle heating device 2 in this embodiment will be described.

[0057] In this embodiment, the vehicle heating device 2 of Technology 1 comprises a seat heater 130 mounted on a seat 100 of a vehicle 10, and a radiant heater 1 mounted on the vehicle 10 to warm the sides of the occupants. When viewed along the lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 10, the radiant heater heating region where the heating element of the radiant heater 1 generates heat does not overlap with the seat heating region where the heating element of the seat heater 130 generates heat.

[0058] According to this, the occupant's body surface can be warmed over a wide area so that the heat-generating area of ​​the radiant heater 1 does not overlap with the heat-generating area of ​​the seat formed by the seat heater 130.

[0059] Therefore, this vehicle heating system 2 makes it possible to enhance the thermal effect on the occupants while achieving a uniform thermal effect on them.

[0060] In the vehicle heating device 2 of Technology 2 in this embodiment, the seat 100 is movable in the front-rear direction, and regardless of the position of the seat 100, the radiant heater heating area and the seat heating area do not overlap when viewed along the side direction, as described in Technology 1.

[0061] According to this, even if the seat 100 moves in the front-to-back direction of the vehicle 10, the radiant heater heating area and the seat heating area do not overlap, so the occupant's body surface can be warmed over a wide area.

[0062] In the vehicle heating device 2 of Technology 3 in this embodiment, the seat 100 is movable in the front-rear direction, and regardless of the position of the seat 100, the seat heater 130 and the radiant heater 1 do not overlap when viewed along the side direction, as described in Technology 1 or 2.

[0063] According to this, regardless of the position of the seat 100, the seat heater 130 and the radiant heater 1 are arranged so that they do not overlap, and it is expected that the heating area of ​​the radiant heater and the heating area of ​​the seat will not overlap. As a result, the surface of the occupant's body can be warmed over a wide area.

[0064] In the vehicle heating device 2 of Technology 4 in this embodiment, the radiant heater heating region and the seat heating region are continuous, and the vehicle heating device 2 is described in any one of Technology 1 to 3.

[0065] According to this, the radiant heater heating area and the seat heating area do not overlap, and no non-heating area is formed between the radiant heater heating area and the seat heating area, so the occupant's body surface can be heated over a wide area and more uniformly.

[0066] In this embodiment, the vehicle heating device 2 of Technology 5 is a vehicle heating device 2 described in any one of Technology 1 to 3, wherein the radiant heater heating region and the seat heating region are discontinuous.

[0067] According to this, a non-heating area is formed between the radiant heater heating area and the seat heating area, making it possible to more reliably prevent the radiant heater heating area and the seat heating area from overlapping, and also making it easier for the occupants to feel the warming effect of the radiant heater 1.

[0068] In the vehicle heating device 2 of Technology 6 in this embodiment, the seat 100 is movable in the front-rear direction, and when the seat heater 130 is closest to the radiant heater 1 due to the movement of the seat 100, the seat heating area and the radiant heater heating area are in contact when viewed along the side direction, as described in Technology 4.

[0069] According to this, even when the seat heater 130 and the radiant heater 1 are in the closest proximity, the radiant heater's heating region and the seat's heating region do not overlap, and no non-heating region is formed between the radiant heater's heating region and the seat's heating region. Therefore, the occupant's body surface can be warmed over a wide area and more uniformly.

[0070] In the vehicle heating device 2 of Technology 7 in this embodiment, the seat 100 is movable in the front-rear direction, and when the seat heater 130 is closest to the radiant heater 1 due to the movement of the seat 100, a gap is formed between the seat heating region and the radiant heater heating region when viewed along the side direction, as described in Technology 5.

[0071] According to this, even when the seat heater 130 and the radiant heater 1 are in the closest proximity, the heating area of ​​the radiant heater and the heating area of ​​the seat do not overlap, and a gap can be left between the heating area of ​​the radiant heater and the heating area of ​​the seat. As a result, the surface of the occupant's body can be warmed over a wide area, and the occupant will feel the warming effect of the radiant heater 1 more easily.

[0072] In this embodiment, the vehicle heating device 2 of Technology 8 is such that the seat 100 is movable in the front-rear direction, and when the seat heater 130 is closest to the radiant heater 1 due to the movement of the seat 100, the distance between the seat heating region and the radiant heater heating region, when viewed along the side direction, is less than the heater wire pitch when the heating element of the seat heater 130 is a heater wire.

[0073] According to this, even when the seat heater 130 and the radiant heater 1 are in the closest proximity, the radiant heater's heating region and the seat's heating region do not overlap, and the non-heating region between the radiant heater's heating region and the seat's heating region is less than the distance between the heater wires. Therefore, the occupant is less likely to feel the temperature drop due to the non-heating region, and the occupant's body surface can be warmed over a wide area and more uniformly.

[0074] In this embodiment, the vehicle heating device 2 of Technology 9 is such that the seat 100 is movable in the front-rear direction, and when the seat heater 130 is closest to the radiant heater 1 due to the movement of the seat 100, the distance between the seat heating region and the radiant heater heating region, when viewed along the side direction, is greater than or equal to the heater wire pitch when the heating element of the seat heater 130 is a heater wire.

[0075] According to this, even when the seat heater 130 and the radiant heater 1 are in the closest proximity, the heating area of ​​the radiant heater and the heating area of ​​the seat do not overlap, and a gap can be left between the heating area of ​​the radiant heater and the heating area of ​​the seat. As a result, the surface of the occupant's body can be warmed over a wide area, and the occupant will feel the warming effect of the radiant heater 1 more easily.

[0076] (Second Embodiment) Next, the configuration and function of the vehicle heating device 2 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 12. This embodiment differs from the vehicle heating device 2 of the first embodiment in that multiple radiant heater heating regions are formed. In the following description, parts equivalent to those of the first embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions may be omitted.

[0077] Figure 7 is another diagram showing an example of use of the vehicle heating device 2 according to the embodiment. Figure 8 is a plan view showing the heater element 40. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the case when the radiant heater 1 and the seat heater 130 are in contact. Figure 10 is a diagram showing the case when the radiant heater 1 and the seat heater 130 overlap. In Figures 9 and 10, the occupant is shown with a dashed line to show the overlap between the radiant heater 1 and the seat heater 130, that is, the overlap between the radiant heater heating region and the seat heating region. Also, in Figure 10, the radiant heater heating region of the radiant heater 1 is shown with a grid-like hatching, and the parts without grid-like hatching mean that the radiant heater heating region is not formed (power OFF). Figure 11A is a diagram showing the case when only the pair of cushion bolsters 112 and 113 are heating up, and the part where the radiant heater 1 and the seat portion 110 overlap is not heating up. Figure 11B shows the case where the radiant heater heating region of the radiant heater 1 is greatly extended towards the rear of the vehicle 10 so that it is in contact with the pair of bolster heating regions, compared to Figure 11A. Figure 12 shows the timing of the energizing period of the radiant heater 1 and the energizing period of the seat heater 130.

[0078] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the radiant heater 1 of this embodiment may form a plurality of radiant heater heating regions. In this case, the first control unit 51 can control the radiant heater 1 to form each of the plurality of radiant heater heating regions individually.

[0079] Specifically, as shown in Figure 8, the radiant heater 1 may have a plurality of heating elements 42. The plurality of heating elements 42 may be connected in a parallel circuit. Each of the plurality of heating elements 42 may form a plurality of radiant heater heating regions.

[0080] In this case, the first control unit 51 can supply power to one or more of the multiple heating elements 42 to generate heat and emit infrared radiation, adjust the amount of infrared radiation by increasing or decreasing the supplied power, or stop supplying power. There is a one-to-one correspondence between the multiple radiant heater heating regions and the multiple heating elements 42 to which power is supplied.

[0081] As shown in Figure 9, the sheet heating region formed by the sheet heater 130 is in contact with the radiant heater heating region formed by the radiant heater 1.

[0082] As shown in Figure 10, when the seat 100 moves forward of the vehicle 10, the seat heater 130 may overlap with a part of the radiant heater 1 when viewed along the side. At this time, if all of the heating elements 42 of the radiant heater 1 are energized and a radiant heater heating region is formed across the entire surface of the radiant heater 1, the seat heating region formed by the seat heater 130 and the radiant heater heating region formed by the radiant heater 1 will overlap.

[0083] Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the sheet heater 130 overlaps with a part of the radiant heater 1, the first control unit 51 controls the heating elements 42 that do not overlap with the sheet heating region to generate heat, and controls the heating elements 42 that overlap with the sheet heating region not to generate heat.

[0084] Specifically, the vehicle heating system 2 further includes an acquisition unit 50 that acquires the position of the seat 100.

[0085] The acquisition unit 50 is a sensor that acquires the position of the sheet 100. For example, the acquisition unit 50 may be located on the radiant heater 1, and may acquire position information from the first control unit 51. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 50 may acquire position information from the second control unit 52, which controls the sheet heater 130 to form a sheet heating region. The acquisition unit 50 may also be a sensor that detects the position of the sheet 100 mounted on the sheet 100. The acquisition unit 50 outputs position information indicating the acquired position of the sheet 100 to the processing unit 53.

[0086] The processing unit 53 outputs instructions to the first control unit 51 for individually controlling each of the multiple heating elements 42 based on the position information acquired from the acquisition unit 50. Therefore, the first control unit 51 can individually control each of the multiple heating elements 42 based on instructions that take the position information into account. The position information indicates the relative position of the seat 100 in the vehicle compartment 11.

[0087] The processing unit 53 may have a memory that stores, for example, a first position correlation table showing the relationship between position information and the position of the sheet heater 130 mounted on the sheet 100, and a second position correlation table showing the relationship between the position of the sheet heater 130 and the position of the radiant heater 1. In other words, the processing unit 53 can use the first position correlation table to determine the position of the sheet heater 130 from the position information, and use the second position correlation table to determine whether the sheet heater 130 overlaps with the radiant heater 1 when viewed from the side, that is, whether the radiant heater heating area and the sheet heating area overlap.

[0088] Furthermore, the processing unit 53 may have a third position correlation table between the radiant heater heating region and the sheet heating region. The third position correlation table may be a table corresponding to the amount of radiation or power input from the radiant heater 1 and the amount of radiation or power input from the sheet heater 130. By using the third position correlation table, the processing unit 53 can determine whether or not the radiant heater heating region and the sheet heating region overlap.

[0089] For example, Figure 10 illustrates a case where a radiant heater 1 positioned opposite the occupant's lower leg has 16 heating elements 42 arranged in 4 rows and 4 columns. The positional information at this time indicates that the top heating element 42 in the first row from the rear of the vehicle 10 overlaps with the seat heater 130 when viewed along the side. In this case, it is considered that the heating area of ​​the radiant heater when this one heating element 42 is heating up will overlap with the heating area of ​​the seat heater 130. Therefore, the first control unit 51 controls the power supply to 15 heating elements in the 1st to 3rd rows from the front of the vehicle 10 and the 2nd to 4th elements from the top of the 4th row to form a radiant heater heating area, and also controls the power supply to the top heating element in the first row from the rear of the vehicle 10 to stop (power OFF) so as not to form a radiant heater heating area.

[0090] This allows the heating region of the radiant heater when these 15 heating elements 42 are heated and the heating region of the seat heater 130 to be continuous or discontinuous. For example, if the seat 100 is located in the position shown in Figure 10, the heating elements in the first row from the rear of the vehicle 10 that will radiate heat to the seat 100 may not be energized. In Figure 10, 16 heating elements 42 are shown as an example, but the number of heating elements 42 is not limited to this embodiment and may be 15 or less, or 17 or more.

[0091] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sheet heater 130 can form multiple sheet heating regions. In this case, the second control unit 52 can control the sheet heater 130 to form each of the multiple sheet heating regions individually.

[0092] In this case, as shown in Figure 4, the second control unit 52 can supply power from the power supply unit 15 to the multiple first heating elements of the first part 131 arranged in the first region 141 of the sheet 100 and the multiple second heating elements of the second part 132 arranged in the second region 142 of the sheet 100, thereby causing them to generate heat, adjusting the amount of heat generated by increasing or decreasing the supplied power, or stopping the power supply. All the heating elements, including the multiple first heating elements and the multiple second heating elements, correspond one-to-one with the multiple sheet heating regions.

[0093] Furthermore, the multiple seat heating regions include at least a seat heating region corresponding to the seat portion 110 of the seat 100, and a pair of bolster heating regions corresponding to the side bolsters (a pair of cushion bolsters 112, 113 and a pair of back bolsters 123, 124) located on both sides of the seat 100. The seat heating region is the region formed by the first portion 131 positioned on the seat portion 111. The bolster heating regions are the regions formed by the second portion 132 positioned on the pair of cushion bolsters 112, 113.

[0094] Specifically, the second control unit 52 can control the seat heater 130 to form a seat heating region. In other words, the second control unit 52 can supply power from the power supply unit 15 only to the first heating element of the first part 131 located in the seating area 111 to generate heat, adjust the amount of heat generated by increasing or decreasing the supplied power, or stop supplying power altogether.

[0095] Furthermore, the second control unit 52 can control the sheet heater 130 to form a pair of bolster heating regions. In other words, the second control unit 52 can supply power from the power supply unit 15 only to the second heating element of the second part 132 located on the pair of cushion bolsters 112 and 113, thereby causing it to heat up and emit infrared rays, or it can adjust the amount of infrared radiation by increasing or decreasing the supplied power, or it can stop supplying power.

[0096] Furthermore, the second control unit 52 can control the seat heater 130 to form a seat heating region and a pair of bolster heating regions. In other words, the second control unit 52 supplies power from the power supply unit 15 to the first heating element of the first part 131 located on the seating portion 111 and the second heating element of the second part 132 located on the pair of cushion bolsters 112 and 113.

[0097] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the size of the radiant heater heating area can be changed according to the formation of the seat heating area.

[0098] For example, as shown in Figure 11A, if a seat heating region is not formed, the seat heating region will be smaller compared to when the seat heater 130 is controlled to form a seat heating region. Therefore, if there are multiple radiant heater heating regions formed by 12 heating elements from the front of the vehicle 10 to the 1st to 3rd rows, as shown in Figure 11A, the occupants' legs may not be sufficiently warmed. Therefore, as shown in Figure 11B, when the second control unit 52 controls the seat heater 130 to form only a pair of bolster heating regions, the area of ​​the multiple radiant heater heating regions of the radiant heater 1 located below the door trim 10a is wider than the area of ​​the multiple radiant heater heating regions of the radiant heater 1 located below the door trim 10a when the second control unit 52 controls the seat heater 130 to form a seat heating region. In other words, when only a pair of bolster heating regions are formed, the first control unit 51 controls the multiple radiant heater heating regions of the radiant heater 1 located below the door trim 10a to extend more widely toward the rear of the vehicle 10 than when a seat heating region is formed. For example, if a state is reached where a seat heating region is formed and multiple radiant heater heating regions are formed by 12 heating elements from the 1st to 3rd rows from the front of the vehicle 10, and then the power to the seat heating region is cut off and only the bolster heating region is formed, the heating element in the 4th row from the front of the vehicle 10 will also be heated, forming multiple radiant heater heating regions with 16 heating elements. Furthermore, "when the second control unit 52 controls the seat heater 130 to form a seat heating region" includes not only the case where a seat heating region is formed, but also the case where both a seat heating region and a bolster heating region are formed.

[0099] This allows multiple radiant heater heating regions to be brought closer to a pair of bolster heating regions.

[0100] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the processing unit 53 can acquire heater region information indicating multiple radiant heater heating regions from the radiant heater 1. In this case, for example, the processing unit 53 can output instructions to the first control unit 51 and the second control unit 52 to control the radiant heater 1 and the sheet heater 130 so that the radiant heater heating regions and the sheet heating regions do not overlap, based on the heater region information and position information indicating the position of the sheet 100.

[0101] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the processing unit 53 can acquire seat area information indicating multiple seat heating regions from the seat heater 130. The processing unit 53 can also acquire seat area information indicating multiple seat heating regions from the air conditioning system installed in the vehicle 10. In this case, for example, the processing unit 53 can output instructions to the first control unit 51 and the second control unit 52 to control the radiant heater 1 and the seat heater 130 so that the radiant heater heating regions and the seat heating regions do not overlap, based on the seat area information and position information indicating the position of the seat 100.

[0102] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 12, the energizing period of the radiant heater 1 is set to be longer than the energizing period of the sheet heater 130. Also, the amount of power supplied to the radiant heater 1 is set to be greater than the amount of power supplied to the sheet heater 130. In Figure 12, the solid line shows the energizing period of the radiant heater 1, and the dashed line shows the energizing period of the sheet heater 130. The energizing periods are indicated by t, but the energizing periods and timings may be different.

[0103] For example, the processing unit 53 can output instructions to the first control unit 51 and the second control unit 52 to energize the radiant heater 1 and the sheet heater 130 at predetermined intervals (discretely supply power). The processing unit 53 outputs instructions to the first control unit 51 and the second control unit 52 so that the energizing frequency of the radiant heater 1 is higher than the energizing frequency of the sheet heater 130. In the case of Figure 12, for any given period, the total energizing period of the radiant heater 1 is 6t and the total energizing period of the sheet heater 130 is 3t, so "(total energizing period of the radiant heater 1) > (total energizing period of the sheet heater 130)".

[0104] <Effects and Effects> Next, the operation and effects of the vehicle heating device 2 in this embodiment will be described.

[0105] In this embodiment, the vehicle heating device 2 of technology 10 includes a first control unit 51 that adjusts the area of ​​the radiant heater heating region formed by controlling the heat generation of the heating element 42 in the radiant heater 1, and when viewed along the side direction, the first control unit 51 controls the radiant heater 1 so that the seat heating region and the radiant heater heating region do not overlap. This is the vehicle heating device 2 described in any one of technologies 1 to 9. In this embodiment, the first embodiment described above can also be applied, so technologies 1 to 9 can be applied. The same applies to the following technologies.

[0106] According to this, the first control unit 51 can control the radiant heater 1 so that the radiant heater heating area and the seat heating area do not overlap, thereby warming a wide area of ​​the occupant's body surface.

[0107] In the vehicle heating device 2 of Technology 11 in this embodiment, the radiant heater 1 is capable of forming a plurality of radiant heater heating regions, and the vehicle heating device 2 is described in any one of Technologies 1 to 10, and includes a first control unit 51 that controls the radiant heater 1 to form each of the plurality of radiant heater heating regions individually.

[0108] According to this, each of the multiple radiant heater heating regions can be formed individually, allowing the occupants' body surface to be warmed over a wide area.

[0109] Furthermore, since the radiant heater's heating area and the seat's heating area can be controlled so that they do not overlap, occupants can more easily feel the warming effect of the radiant heater 1. In particular, when the radiant heater's heating area and the seat's heating area are discontinuous, occupants can feel the warming effect of the radiant heater 1 even more easily.

[0110] In the vehicle heating device 2 of Technology 12 in this embodiment, the radiant heater 1 has a plurality of heating elements 42, and the plurality of heating elements 42 are connected in a parallel circuit, as described in Technology 11.

[0111] According to this, by controlling the heat output of all the multiple heating elements 42 to be independent and equivalent, it is possible to suppress the overlap between the radiant heater heating area and the sheet heating area, making it easier for occupants to feel the warming effect of the radiant heater 1. In particular, when the radiant heater heating area and the sheet heating area are discontinuous, occupants will feel the warming effect of the radiant heater 1 even more easily.

[0112] In this embodiment, the vehicle heating device 2 of Technology 13 is as described in Technology 12, in which the first control unit 51 individually controls each of the multiple heating elements 42, and there is a one-to-one correspondence between the multiple radiant heater heating regions and the multiple heating elements 42 to which power is supplied.

[0113] According to this, multiple radiant heater heating regions can be energized individually, allowing each of the multiple radiant heater heating regions to be formed independently. Furthermore, since overlap between the radiant heater heating region and the sheet heating region can be suppressed, occupants will be able to feel the warming effect of the radiant heater 1 more easily. In particular, when the radiant heater heating region and the sheet heating region are discontinuous, occupants will be able to feel the warming effect of the radiant heater 1 even more easily.

[0114] In this embodiment, the vehicle heating device 2 of Technology 14 is a vehicle heating device 2 according to any one of Technologies 11 to 13, wherein, when viewed along the lateral direction, the first control unit 51 controls to heat one or more heating elements 42 that do not overlap with the seat heating area.

[0115] According to this, it is possible to suppress the overlap between the radiant heater's heating area and the seat's heating area, making it easier for occupants to feel the warming effect of the radiant heater 1.

[0116] In this embodiment, the vehicle heating device 2 of technology 15 is equipped with an acquisition unit 50 that acquires position information indicating the position of the seat 100, and the first control unit 51 controls each of the plurality of heating elements 42 individually based on the position information, as described in any one of technologies 11 to 14.

[0117] According to this, the overall size of the radiant heater heating area can be adjusted so that the heating area of ​​the radiant heater and the heating area of ​​the seat do not overlap depending on the position of the seat 100. As a result, the occupant's body surface can be heated over a wider area and more uniformly.

[0118] In the vehicle heating device 2 of Technology 16 in this embodiment, the acquisition unit 50 is the vehicle heating device 2 described in Technology 15, which acquires position information from the second control unit 52 that controls the seat heater 130 to form a seat heating region.

[0119] According to this, when the second control unit 52 is also responsible for controlling the movement of the seat 100, the acquisition unit 50 can acquire the position information that the second control unit 52 has grasped. Therefore, in the vehicle heating system 2, the overall size of the radiant heater heating area can be adjusted so that the radiant heater heating area and the seat heating area do not overlap according to the position of the seat 100. As a result, the occupant's body surface can be heated over a wide area and more uniformly.

[0120] In this embodiment, the vehicle heating device 2 of Technology 17 is the vehicle heating device 2 described in Technology 15, which acquires position information from the first control unit 51 that controls the radiant heater 1.

[0121] According to this, when the first control unit 51 is also responsible for controlling the movement of the seat 100, the acquisition unit 50 can acquire the position information that the first control unit 51 has grasped. Therefore, in the vehicle heating system 2, the overall size of the radiant heater heating area can be adjusted so that the radiant heater heating area and the seat heating area do not overlap according to the position of the seat 100. As a result, the occupant's body surface can be heated over a wide area and more uniformly.

[0122] In this embodiment, the vehicle heating device 2 of Technology 18 is such that, when viewed along the side, the seat heater 130 and the radiant heater 1 overlap, the first control unit 51 controls the power supply to one or more heating elements 42 among the plurality of heating elements 42 included in the radiant heater 1 that overlap with the seat heater 130, thereby the vehicle heating device 2 described in any one of Technologies 12 to 17.

[0123] According to this, when viewed along the side, even if the seat heater 130 and one or more radiant heaters 1 overlap due to the movement of the seat 100, the overlapping one or more heating elements 42 can be prevented from generating heat. Therefore, the occupant's body surface can be warmed over a wide area without overlapping the seat heating area and the radiant heater heating area.

[0124] Furthermore, by stopping the power supply to one or more overlapping heating elements 42, the increase in power consumption in the radiant heater 1 can be suppressed.

[0125] In the vehicle heating device 2 of Technology 19 in this embodiment, the radiant heater 1 is a vehicle heating device 2 according to any one of Technology 1 to 18, which is located on the door trim 10a of the vehicle 10.

[0126] According to this, the body surface of the occupants on the door side can be warmed.

[0127] In the vehicle heating device 2 of Technology 20 in this embodiment, the radiant heater 1 is located on the center console 10b of the vehicle 10 so as to correspond to the occupant's lower legs and feet when viewed along the side direction, and is the vehicle heating device 2 according to any one of Technologies 1 to 19.

[0128] According to this, the body surface on the side of the center console 10b of the occupant's lower leg and foot can be warmed.

[0129] In this embodiment, the vehicle heating device 2 of Technology 21 is the vehicle heating device 2 described in Technology 19, in which the radiant heater 1 is positioned on the door trim 10a of the vehicle 10 so as to correspond to the lower legs and feet of the occupant when viewed along the side direction.

[0130] According to this, the body surface on the door trim 10a side of the occupant's lower leg and foot can be warmed.

[0131] Furthermore, if a radiant heater 1 is located on the center console 10b side, the occupant can be warmed by sandwiching them between the radiant heater 1 on the door trim 10a side and the center console 1.

[0132] In this embodiment, the vehicle heating device 2 of Technology 22 is such that the energizing period of the radiant heater 1 is longer than the energizing period of the seat heater 130, as described in any one of Technology 1 to 21.

[0133] For example, the heat transfer efficiency of a radiant heater to the occupants is lower than that of a seat heater. Therefore, if the radiant heater and the seat heater are powered for the same duration, the occupants will feel less of a warming effect from the radiant heater.

[0134] Therefore, in this embodiment, by making the energizing period of the radiant heater 1 longer than the energizing period of the seat heater 130, which has high heat transfer efficiency, the occupants can feel the warming effect from the radiant heater 1.

[0135] In this embodiment, the vehicle heating device 2 of technology 23 is a vehicle heating device 2 according to any one of technologies 1 to 22, wherein the seat heater 130 can form a plurality of seat heating regions, and a second control unit 52 controls the seat heater 130 to form each of the plurality of seat heating regions individually.

[0136] According to this, each of the multiple seat heating regions can be formed individually, preventing the seat heater 130 from generating more heat than necessary, thus allowing the occupant to sit comfortably.

[0137] Furthermore, when viewed along the side, power can be stopped from being supplied to areas where it is not necessary to supply power, such as the area where the sheet heater 130 and the radiant heater 1 overlap, thereby suppressing an increase in power consumption in the sheet heater 130.

[0138] In the vehicle heating device 2 of Technology 24 in this embodiment, the plurality of seat heating regions include at least a seat heating region corresponding to the seat portion 110 of the seat 100 and a pair of bolster heating regions corresponding to the side bolsters (a pair of cushion bolsters 112, 113 and a pair of back bolsters 123, 124) located on both sides of the seat 100, and the second control unit 52 controls the seat heater 130 to form only the pair of bolster heating regions, as described in Technology 23.

[0139] According to this, a pair of bolster heating regions can be formed, so even without forming a seat heating region, the occupant's thighs and other areas located between the pair of bolster heating regions can be kept warm. This prevents the seat heater 130 from generating more heat than necessary, allowing the occupant to sit comfortably.

[0140] Furthermore, since power is supplied only to the pair of bolster heating regions, an increase in power consumption in the seat heater 130 can be suppressed.

[0141] In the vehicle heating device 2 of Technology 25 in this embodiment, the radiant heater 1 is capable of forming a plurality of radiant heater heating regions, and includes a first control unit 51 that controls the radiant heater 1 to form each of the plurality of radiant heater heating regions individually, and the first control unit 51 controls the radiant heater 1 such that the area of ​​the plurality of radiant heater heating regions when the second control unit 52 controls the seat heater 130 to form only a pair of bolster heating regions is greater than the area of ​​the plurality of radiant heater heating regions when the second control unit 52 controls the seat heater 130 to form a seat heating region, so that the plurality of radiant heater heating regions extend significantly further in the rear direction of the vehicle 10.

[0142] According to this, multiple radiant heater heating regions can be expanded so that they are connected to a pair of bolster heating regions. This allows for a wider and more uniform heating of the occupant's body surface.

[0143] In this embodiment, the vehicle heating device 2 of Technology 26 is equipped with a processing unit 53 that outputs instructions to a first control unit 51 and a second control unit 52, and the processing unit 53 acquires heater region information indicating multiple radiant heater heating regions from the radiant heater 1, as described in Technology 25.

[0144] According to this, the processing unit 53 can appropriately instruct the first control unit 51 and the second control unit 52 by acquiring heater area information. As a result, the occupant's body surface can be heated more widely and more uniformly, so that the radiant heater heating area and the seat heating area do not overlap.

[0145] In this embodiment, the vehicle heating device 2 of Technology 27 is equipped with a processing unit 53 that outputs instructions to a first control unit 51 and a second control unit 52, and the processing unit 53 acquires seat area information indicating a plurality of seat heating areas from a seat heater 130, as described in Technology 25.

[0146] According to this, the processing unit 53 can appropriately instruct the first control unit 51 and the second control unit 52 by acquiring seat area information based on the results of a temperature sensor connected to the air conditioning unit detecting the surface temperature of the seat 100, for example. As a result, the occupant's body surface can be heated more widely and more uniformly, so that the radiant heater heating area and the seat heating area do not overlap.

[0147] In this embodiment, the vehicle heating device 2 of Technology 28 is equipped with a processing unit 53 that outputs instructions to a first control unit 51 and a second control unit 52, and the processing unit 53 has seat area information indicating a plurality of seat heating areas obtained from an air conditioning unit mounted on the vehicle 10, and is the vehicle heating device 2 of Technology 25.

[0148] According to this, the processing unit 53 can appropriately instruct the first control unit 51 and the second control unit 52 by acquiring seat area information. As a result, the occupant's body surface can be heated more widely and more uniformly, so that the radiant heater heating area and the seat heating area do not overlap.

[0149] (Other variations) Although the present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments described above, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. Various modifications to the embodiments that a person skilled in the art can conceive of may also be included within the scope of the present disclosure, as long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0150] For example, the vehicle heating system according to the above embodiment is typically implemented as an LSI, which is an integrated circuit. These may be individually integrated into a single chip, or some or all of them may be integrated into a single chip.

[0151] Furthermore, integrated circuit implementation is not limited to LSIs; it may also be achieved using dedicated circuits or general-purpose processors. Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), which can be programmed after LSI manufacturing, or reconfigurable processors, which allow for the reconfiguration of the connections and settings of circuit cells within the LSI, may also be used.

[0152] In each of the above embodiments, the components such as the first control unit, the second control unit, and the processing unit may be implemented by dedicated hardware or by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may also be implemented by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0153] Furthermore, all figures used above are illustrative to illustrate the present disclosure, and the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to the figures exemplified.

[0154] Furthermore, the division of functional blocks in the block diagram is just one example; multiple functional blocks can be implemented as a single functional block, a single functional block can be divided into multiple parts, or some functions can be moved to other functional blocks. In addition, the functions of multiple functional blocks with similar functions can be processed in parallel or time-sharing by a single piece of hardware or software.

[0155] Furthermore, this disclosure also includes forms that can be obtained by applying various modifications to the above embodiments that a person skilled in the art could conceive, as well as forms that can be realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of the embodiments without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. [Industrial applicability]

[0156] This disclosure is applicable to vehicles equipped with a radiant heater device that emits radiant heat and a seat heater device that warms the seat. [Explanation of symbols]

[0157] 1. Radiant heater 2. Vehicle heating system 11 Cabin 10 vehicles 10a Door trim 10b Center Console 42 Heating element of radiant heater 50 Acquisition Department 51 First Control Unit 52 Second Control Unit 53 Processing Unit 100 sheets 110 Seat area 112, 113 Cushion bolster 123, 124 Back bolster (side bolster) 130 Seat Heater 133 Heating element of seat heater

Claims

1. The seat heater installed in the vehicle's seats, The vehicle is equipped with a radiant heater that warms the sides of the occupants, When viewed along the lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the radiant heater heating region where the heating element of the radiant heater is generating heat does not overlap with the seat heating region where the heating element of the seat heater is generating heat. Vehicle heating system.

2. The aforementioned seat is movable in the forward and backward direction, Regardless of the position of the sheet, when viewed along the lateral direction, the radiant heater heating region and the sheet heating region do not overlap. The vehicle heating device according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned seat is movable in the forward and backward direction, Regardless of the position of the sheet, when viewed along the lateral direction, the sheet heater and the radiant heater do not overlap. The vehicle heating device according to claim 1.

4. The radiant heater heating region and the sheet heating region are continuous. The vehicle heating device according to claim 1.

5. The radiant heater heating region and the sheet heating region are discontinuous. The vehicle heating device according to claim 1.

6. The aforementioned seat is movable in the forward and backward direction, When the sheet heater is closest to the radiant heater due to the movement of the sheet, the sheet heating region and the radiant heater heating region are in contact when viewed along the lateral direction. The vehicle heating device according to claim 4.

7. The aforementioned seat is movable in the forward and backward direction, When the sheet heater is closest to the radiant heater due to the movement of the sheet, a gap is formed between the sheet heating region and the radiant heater heating region when viewed along the lateral direction. The vehicle heating device according to claim 5.

8. The aforementioned seat is movable in the forward and backward direction, When the sheet heater is closest to the radiant heater due to the movement of the sheet, the distance between the sheet heating region and the radiant heater heating region, when viewed along the lateral direction, is less than the heater wire pitch when the heating element of the sheet heater is a heater wire. The vehicle heating device according to claim 4.

9. The aforementioned seat is movable in the forward and backward direction, When the sheet heater is closest to the radiant heater due to the movement of the sheet, the distance between the sheet heating region and the radiant heater heating region, when viewed along the lateral direction, is greater than or equal to the heater wire pitch when the heating element of the sheet heater is a heater wire. The vehicle heating device according to claim 5.

10. The radiant heater includes a first control unit that controls the heat generation of the heating element in the radiant heater to adjust the area of ​​the radiant heater heating region formed therein. When viewed along the aforementioned lateral direction, the first control unit controls the radiant heater such that the sheet heating region and the radiant heater heating region do not overlap. A vehicle heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The aforementioned radiant heater can form multiple radiant heater heating regions. The system includes a first control unit that controls the radiant heater to individually form each of the plurality of radiant heater heating regions. A vehicle heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. The aforementioned radiant heater has a plurality of heating elements, The multiple heating elements are connected in parallel. The vehicle heating device according to claim 11.

13. The first control unit controls each of the plurality of heating elements individually. There is a one-to-one correspondence between the multiple radiant heater heating regions and the multiple heating elements to which power is supplied. The vehicle heating device according to claim 12.

14. When viewed along the aforementioned lateral direction, the first control unit controls the heating element to generate heat from one or more heating elements that do not overlap with the sheet heating region. The vehicle heating device according to claim 11.

15. The system includes an acquisition unit that acquires position information indicating the position of the aforementioned sheet, The first control unit controls each of the multiple heating elements individually based on the position information. The vehicle heating device according to claim 11.

16. The acquisition unit acquires the position information from the second control unit, which controls the sheet heater to form the sheet heating region. The vehicle heating device according to claim 15.

17. The acquisition unit acquires the position information from the first control unit which controls the radiant heater. The vehicle heating device according to claim 15.

18. When viewed along the aforementioned lateral direction, if the sheet heater and the radiant heater overlap, the first control unit controls the power supply to one or more of the multiple heating elements included in the radiant heater that overlap with the sheet heater to be stopped. The vehicle heating device according to claim 12.

19. The radiant heater is located in the door trim of the vehicle. A vehicle heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

20. The radiant heater is positioned on the vehicle's center console such that, when viewed along the lateral direction, it corresponds to the occupant's lower legs and feet. A vehicle heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

21. The radiant heater is positioned on the door trim of the vehicle so as to correspond to the occupant's lower leg and foot when viewed along the lateral direction. The vehicle heating device according to claim 19.

22. The energizing period for the radiant heater is longer than the energizing period for the sheet heater. A vehicle heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

23. The aforementioned sheet heater can form multiple sheet heating regions. The system includes a second control unit that controls the sheet heater to individually form each of the plurality of sheet heating regions. A vehicle heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

24. The plurality of sheet heating regions include at least a seat heating region corresponding to the seat portion of the sheet, and a pair of bolster heating regions corresponding to the side bolsters located on both sides of the sheet. The second control unit controls the seat heater to form only the pair of bolster heating regions. The vehicle heating device according to claim 23.

25. The aforementioned radiant heater can form multiple radiant heater heating regions. The system includes a first control unit that controls the radiant heater to individually form each of the plurality of radiant heater heating regions, The first control unit is, When the second control unit controls the seat heater to form only the pair of bolster heating regions, the size of the multiple radiant heater heating regions is larger than the size of the multiple radiant heater heating regions when the second control unit controls the seat heater to form the seat heating region, so that the multiple radiant heater heating regions extend significantly further in the rearward direction of the vehicle. The vehicle heating device according to claim 24.

26. The system includes a processing unit that outputs instructions to the first control unit and the second control unit, The processing unit acquires heater region information indicating the multiple radiant heater heating regions from the radiant heater. The vehicle heating device according to claim 25.

27. The system includes a processing unit that outputs instructions to the first control unit and the second control unit, The processing unit acquires sheet area information indicating the plurality of sheet heating regions from the sheet heater. The vehicle heating device according to claim 25.

28. The system includes a processing unit that outputs instructions to the first control unit and the second control unit, The processing unit has seat area information indicating the plurality of seat heating regions obtained from the air conditioning system installed in the vehicle. The vehicle heating device according to claim 25.

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