Vehicle air conditioning system

Abstract

To provide a vehicle air conditioning system that can enhance the sense of security and trust that vehicle occupants have regarding air conditioning, and that can comfortably provide air conditioning with skin-beautifying effects. [Solution] The vehicle air conditioning system comprises an air conditioning unit 23, an HMI 24, and an occupant state estimation means 33. If the occupant state estimation means 33 determines that the occupant is feeling anxious, the HMI 24 provides information (explicit feedback) to the occupant indicating that the air conditioning is adjusted to improve the occupant's skin condition.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioner that supplies conditioned air to the passenger compartment of a vehicle, and more particularly to an improvement that enhances the passenger's trust and sense of security regarding air conditioning and enables comfortable air conditioning by considering the brain model (passenger internal model) of the vehicle passengers.

Background Art

[0002] In a vehicle air conditioner that supplies conditioned air (air whose temperature etc. is appropriately adjusted) to the passenger compartment of a vehicle such as an automobile, in order to maintain the air quality in the passenger compartment (measures against components brought in by passengers (allergens such as CO2, pollen, viruses, etc.)) and to prevent window fogging in winter, etc., while appropriately controlling the humidity of the air in the passenger compartment, a certain amount of outside air is introduced into the passenger compartment. Even in such controlled air conditioning, especially in winter, the skin and eyes of vehicle passengers are likely to become dry, so special measures are required to appropriately maintain (improve) the state (moisture content) of the skin and eyes. For this reason, various technical devices have been proposed conventionally.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent No. 5226976), an invention has been proposed in an automotive air conditioner that suppresses the dryness felt by passengers without humidifying the air in the passenger compartment even during air conditioning operation in winter by releasing active ingredients such as vitamins into the air in the passenger compartment. Also, in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019 - 123277), an invention has been proposed in a vehicle air conditioner that can increase the humidity of the air in the passenger compartment by allowing window fogging of the vehicle during automatic driving of the vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0005] Thus, while various technologies have existed to properly maintain (improve) the skin and eye condition of vehicle occupants, even when such air conditioning is implemented, vehicle occupants may not properly perceive its effects. For example, even if the air conditioning system is operating in "beauty mode" (a mode that supplies appropriately humidified conditioned air to improve the moisture content of the occupants' skin surface), for various reasons (e.g., the influence of sunlight (brightness of outside light) shining into the vehicle interior, the influence of vent air from the air conditioning system (wind from the dashboard vents), the stress of driving, etc.), vehicle occupants may not be able to correctly perceive the condition of their own skin. As a result, even though appropriately conditioned air is being supplied, vehicle occupants may feel that their skin is dry or rougher than necessary, and may become dissatisfied with the air conditioning system, believing that the "beauty mode" of the air conditioning system is not functioning properly.

[0006] In other words, even if conventional vehicle air conditioning systems effectively treated the occupants' bodies (skin), they did not take into account the occupants' internal state (brain state) in which they perceived the effects of the air conditioning. As a result, they sometimes failed to provide occupants with a sense of security (a real feeling of the skin-beautifying effects of the air conditioning). This led to a loss of trust in the vehicle's air conditioning system among occupants, significantly reducing the comfort level of the air conditioning.

[0007] This invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle air conditioning system that can enhance the sense of security and trust that vehicle occupants have in air conditioning, and that can comfortably provide air conditioning with a skin-beautifying effect. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the present invention adopts the following solution. In other words, as described in claim 1, a vehicle air conditioning system comprising: a conditioned air supply means for supplying conditioned air into the interior of a vehicle; an interior environment detection means for detecting the environment inside the vehicle; an air conditioning control means for controlling the supply of conditioned air from the conditioned air supply means according to the interior environment detected by the interior environment detection means; an occupant monitoring means for monitoring the occupants of the vehicle; an occupant state estimation means for estimating the state of the occupants based on the detection results by the occupant monitoring means; and an interface means for providing information to the occupants, wherein the air conditioning control means can select a "beauty mode" that supplies conditioned air with an adjusted humidification amount to improve the condition of the occupants' skin; the occupant state estimation means includes an anxiety index calculation means for calculating an anxiety index, which is an index representing the degree of anxiety felt by the occupants, from the physiological state amount of the occupants detected by the occupant monitoring means; and the interface means provides information indicating that, in the beauty mode, if the anxiety index is above a predetermined anxiety threshold, the conditioned air is adjusted to improve the condition of the occupants' skin.

[0009] According to the above solution, when an occupant experiences high levels of anxiety in the "beauty mode" (when the anxiety index is high), the interface clearly indicates to the occupant that the conditioned air is being adjusted to improve the condition of their skin (explicit feedback is provided). Therefore, even when an occupant has an incorrect anxiety about dryness regarding objectively appropriate conditioned air (when an error occurs in the external perception / motor system prediction), the occupant's perception of the conditioned air is corrected, and as a result, the occupant's emotions also improve. Furthermore, by receiving air conditioning in "beauty mode," the occupant's skin condition improves simply by being in the vehicle, eliminating the need to take time for additional skin care (recovery from dryness) after disembarking. Consequently, the occupant's sense of security and trust in the vehicle's air conditioning system is enhanced, resulting in comfortable air conditioning for the occupant.

[0010] A preferred embodiment based on the above solution method is as described in claim 2 and subsequent claims of the patent. That is, the air conditioning control means is capable of performing temperature priority control that prioritizes the optimization of the temperature environment inside the vehicle in the skin-beautifying mode, and the interface means provides information that, when the temperature adjustment priority control is being performed, control for optimizing the temperature environment inside the vehicle is being performed, but the conditioned air is adjusted to improve the condition of the occupant's skin (corresponding to claim 2). In this case, the vehicle occupant can correctly recognize that even if the skin-beautifying effect in the skin-beautifying mode is somewhat suppressed, this is because temperature priority control is being performed, and the air conditioning itself is adjusted to improve the condition of the occupant's skin.

[0011] The conditioned air supply means includes an air conditioning stimulus supply means that supplies air conditioning stimuli that act on the occupant's autonomic nervous system, and the air conditioning control means can selectively perform arousal control in the skin beautifying mode, which involves supplying air conditioning stimuli from the air conditioning stimulus supply means to activate the occupant's sympathetic nervous system activity when the occupant is determined to be in a state of parasympathetic nervous system activity dominant based on the occupant's physiological state detected by the occupant monitoring means, and sedation control, which involves supplying air conditioning stimuli from the air conditioning stimulus supply means to activate the occupant's parasympathetic nervous system activity when the occupant is determined to be in a state of sympathetic nervous system activity dominant based on the occupant's physiological state detected by the occupant monitoring means (corresponding to claim 3). In this case, arousal control or sedation control (supply of appropriate air conditioning stimuli) is performed according to the state of the occupant's autonomic nervous system activity, so that the occupant's autonomic nervous system balance is appropriately adjusted. As a result, the occupant's internal state becomes good, the occupant feels comfortable with the air conditioning, and their sense of security and trust in the air conditioning improves.

[0012] The air conditioning stimulation supply means supplies a fragrance that has the effect of waking up the occupant in the wakefulness control (corresponding to claim 4). In this case, the fragrance that has the effect of waking up the occupant effectively activates the occupant's sympathetic nervous system.

[0013] The air conditioning stimulation supply means, in the sedation control, supplies a fragrance that has a relaxing effect on the occupant (corresponding to claim 5). In this case, the fragrance that has a relaxing effect on the occupant effectively activates the occupant's parasympathetic nervous system.

[0014] The interface means provides information indicating the effects obtained by the execution of the skin beautifying mode during and / or after the execution of the skin beautifying mode (corresponding to claim 6). In this case, vehicle occupants can immediately know the skin beautifying effect of the skin beautifying mode during and after the execution of the skin beautifying mode, thereby increasing their sense of security and confidence in the air conditioning system. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, when a vehicle occupant has concerns about skin dryness due to air conditioning, it is clearly indicated that the air conditioning is adjusted to improve the occupant's skin condition. This reduces the occupant's prediction error regarding the effect of air conditioning on their skin, positively updates their internal model, and improves their emotional state. Consequently, the vehicle occupant's confidence and sense of security regarding air conditioning improves, making it possible to provide comfortable air conditioning for the vehicle occupant. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This figure shows the internal occupant model according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing an example of a control system for a vehicle air conditioning system according to the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the screen display of explicit feedback in the present invention. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows an example of the control method of the present invention. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows an example of controlling the skin beautifying mode set in the present invention. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an example of the control method for transitioning to the skin beautifying mode in the present invention. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows an example of the control of the normal skin beautification mode in the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a flowchart showing a control example of feedback of the effect in the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a timing chart showing a control example according to the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a timing chart showing a control example according to the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows an occupant internal model 1 that models the internal state of a vehicle occupant. This occupant internal model 1 was constructed by the inventor of the present invention by applying the concept of the free energy principle regarding human brain functions, particularly to the brain processing of a vehicle occupant who is affected by the air conditioning action from a vehicle air conditioner. The present invention configures a vehicle air conditioner based on this occupant internal model 1. Therefore, first, the content of the occupant internal model 1 will be described in detail.

[0018] The free energy principle is a theory proposed by Friston, which uniformly explains various functions of the human brain as attempting to minimize free energy. According to the free energy principle, the internal model of the human brain is updated (changed) so as to minimize the prediction error.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, the occupant internal model 1 includes an external perception / motor system internal model 1A and an internal system internal model 1B. Here, the external perception / motor system internal model 1A models the function of humans perceiving the external world with the five senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch) and bodily sensations (sensations about musculoskeletal movement) and inferring the state of the external world (the cause of perception). In this occupant internal model 1, the vehicle occupant senses the action from the vehicle air conditioning system 20 (supply of conditioned air) with skin sensations (touch), etc., and predicts the air quality of the supplied conditioned air as an inference of the external perception / motor system. On the other hand, the internal system internal model 1B models the function of the vehicle occupant's brain to perform inferences about the internal system (i.e., predictions about the internal state of internal organs, blood vessels, etc.) and to control the internal state (state of internal organs, blood vessels, etc.) based on these inferences.

[0020] In the crew internal model 1, an external perception and motor system processing loop 3A (in the figure, an external perception and motor system internal model 1A → prediction of external state (air quality) 11 → processing loop including external perception and motor system prediction error 2A) is processed, centered on the external perception and motor system internal model 1A, to reduce the external perception and motor system prediction error 2A, and an internal system processing loop 3B (in the figure, an internal system internal model 1B → prediction of internal state 15 → internal state 16 → processing loop including internal system prediction error 2B) is processed, centered on the internal system internal model 1B, to reduce the internal system prediction error 2B.

[0021] Here, the external perception / motor system prediction error 2A is recognized by the internal external perception / motor system model 1A as the difference between the prediction of the external state obtained by a human being based on perceptions acquired by the five senses and bodily sensations regarding the external state, and the actual external state. On the other hand, the internal system prediction error 2B is recognized by the internal system model 1B as the difference between the prediction 15 of the occupant's internal state and the actual internal state 18.

[0022] In the internal occupant model 1 (external perception / motor system processing loop 3A), the vehicle occupant, upon receiving conditioned air from the air conditioning system 20, perceives this conditioned air through the sense of touch, etc. (perceptual recognition 10). The internal occupant model 1A of the external perception / motor system then makes a prediction of the state (air quality) of the conditioned air based on the perceptual recognition 10 (prediction of external state (air quality) 11). The difference between this prediction of the state of the conditioned air and the actual state (air quality) of the conditioned air becomes the external perception / motor system prediction error 2A.

[0023] In the air conditioning system 20 of the present invention, the actual state of the conditioned air is displayed on a display means (HMI 24, described later) as, for example, "air quality state display" or "skin beautifying effect amount display," and this display is perceived and recognized by the vehicle occupant (perceptual recognition 14). Therefore, the external perception / motion system prediction error 2A is recognized by the vehicle occupant as the difference between the prediction 11 of the external state (air quality) and the perceptual recognition 14.

[0024] In the crew internal model 1, the external perception / motor system prediction error 2A and the internal system prediction error 2B are reduced in the external perception / motor system processing loop 3A and the internal system processing loop 3B, and as a result, the external perception / motor system internal model 1A and the internal system internal model 1B are updated.

[0025] To explain in more detail, in the internal model 1A of the external perception and motor system, a hypothesis (belief) is formed to predict the external state 11 (prediction of air quality) based on perception and cognition 10 (perception of harmonious air). However, if this hypothesis is not appropriate, an external perception and motor system prediction error 2A occurs between the air quality prediction derived from the hypothesis and the actual air quality.

[0026] For example, even if the air conditioning system 20 is operating in "beauty mode" (a mode that supplies conditioned air prioritizing the maintenance of properly moisturized skin), if the external perception / motor system internal model 1A has a hypothesis that the perceived conditioned air is bad for the skin (dries out the skin), then an external perception / motor system prediction error 2A will occur. As a result, vehicle occupants may develop distrust that even the supply of properly conditioned air might have a negative impact on their skin.

[0027] In contrast, if the vehicle occupant sees the display on the air conditioning unit 20 and correctly recognizes that the perceived conditioned air has a skin-beautifying effect, and the hypothesis (belief) in the internal model 1A of the external perception and motor system is positively updated (the external perception and motor system prediction error 2A is reduced), then after such a positive update, when the vehicle occupant perceives the same conditioned air from the air conditioning unit 20, they will be able to correctly recognize that it is suitable for their skin. As a result, the vehicle occupant's sense of security and trust in the air conditioning will improve.

[0028] On the other hand, in the internal system processing loop 3B, the internal system internal model 1B makes predictions about the internal state (state of internal organs, blood vessels, etc.) based on perception and cognition 10 (prediction of internal state 15). In other words, the internal system internal model 1B has hypotheses (beliefs) for inferring (predicting) what the internal state will be like in relation to the state recognized by perception and cognition 10, and the internal state is predicted based on these hypotheses.

[0029] This predicted internal state 15 is compared with the actual internal state 16, and the difference between the predicted internal state 15 and the actual internal state 16 becomes the internal system prediction error 2B. The internal system internal model 1B is updated to reduce the internal system prediction error 2B, and as a result, the internal system (autonomic nervous system, etc.) is adjusted so that the predicted internal state 15 and the actual internal state 16 match.

[0030] In the brain processing described above, the internal model 1A of the external perception and motor system and the internal model 1B of the internal system interact with each other, and if the internal model 1A of the external perception and motor system changes, this change will affect the internal model of the internal system. Furthermore, the inference and internal system prediction errors 2B in the internal model 1B are the cause of the driver's emotions 17.

[0031] If the external perception and motor system internal model 1A predicts that the air from the air conditioner 20 is harmful to the skin, the internal system internal model 1B predicts that the body will react due to distrust of that air. For example, the internal system internal model 1B predicts that the heart rate will increase, and the actual heart rate will also increase. Furthermore, such negative reasoning can also trigger negative emotions such as anxiety (fear) and stress.

[0032] In contrast, when the internal model 1A of the external perception and motor system is improved (positively updated) and becomes capable of correct perception (judgment), this improvement in the internal model 1A of the external perception and motor system positively affects the internal model 1B of the internal system. Specifically, the internal model 1B of the internal system is positively updated to reflect confidence in the air from the air conditioning unit 20 and does not predict an increase in heart rate, and the actual increase in heart rate disappears. Furthermore, positive reasoning regarding the air conditioning unit 20 (the prediction that the air conditioning unit 20 is supplying appropriately conditioned air) also leads to positive emotions such as a sense of security when receiving air conditioning. Thus, if the internal models 1A of the external perception and motor system and the internal model 1B of the internal system are updated appropriately, the driver's emotions 17 will also improve.

[0033] The present invention provides a vehicle air conditioning system that can gain high confidence from vehicle occupants and provide comfortable air conditioning for vehicle occupants by taking such occupant internal model 1 into consideration. The detailed configuration for achieving this objective will be described below.

[0034] Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the control system of the vehicle air conditioning system of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the control system comprises a control unit U, a database D, an in-vehicle environment detection means 21, an occupant monitoring means 22, an air conditioning unit 23, and an HMI (human-machine interface) 24.

[0035] The vehicle interior environment detection means 21 is a means for detecting the vehicle's interior environment (temperature and humidity inside the vehicle, intensity of sunlight entering the vehicle, number of occupants inside the vehicle, etc.), and is composed of, for example, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a solar radiation sensor, and an occupant count detection means (for example, an in-vehicle camera).

[0036] The occupant monitoring means 22 is a means for acquiring information about the vehicle's occupants (e.g., the driver), and consists of, for example, an in-vehicle camera that photographs the occupants inside the vehicle. As will be described in more detail later, based on the information (video) captured by the in-vehicle camera, physiological state values ​​such as the occupants' skin moisture content and heart rate are detected and used to control the air conditioning.

[0037] The air conditioning unit 23 is a system for air conditioning and ventilation inside the vehicle cabin, and includes a conditioned air supply means 23A for supplying conditioned air into the vehicle cabin, a humidification mechanism 23B for humidifying the conditioned air, and an air conditioning stimulus supply means 23C for supplying air conditioning stimuli (stimuli that act on the human autonomic nervous system, such as fragrance) into the vehicle cabin.

[0038] The HMI26 is a device for communication with the occupants (a device that provides visual and auditory information to the occupants of the vehicle and receives various inputs from the occupants), and includes information output means (for example, a display 26A capable of displaying images and characters (e.g., an in-car monitor or head-up display (HDU)) and a speaker 26B capable of outputting sound) and information input means 26C (e.g., a touch panel). In relation to the claims, the combination of the HMI26 and the communication control means 35 (described later) in this embodiment corresponds to the "interface means" in the claims.

[0039] Database D is a means (data storage unit) for storing various types of data, such as an external storage device. Database 25 stores various data related to vehicle occupants (characteristic data such as age and gender, historical data on skin moisture content, historical data on various physiological state values, historical data on skin beautifying effects, historical data on effects from explicit feedback, subjective questionnaire results regarding skin beautifying effects, etc.) as well as various data necessary for the operation of the air conditioning system.

[0040] The control unit U is a control device composed of, for example, a microcomputer, and includes an in-vehicle environment evaluation means 31, a skin condition evaluation means 32, an occupant condition estimation means 33, an air conditioning control means 34, and a communication control means 35. These means are provided as a control program within the control unit U.

[0041] The in-vehicle environment evaluation means 31 is a means for calculating an in-vehicle environment evaluation value based on the detected values ​​of the in-vehicle environment detected by the in-vehicle environment detection means 21. The in-vehicle environment evaluation value is an evaluation value that comprehensively evaluates the in-vehicle environment in relation to the air conditioning, and is used for setting the air conditioning parameters described later.

[0042] The skin condition evaluation means 32 detects (estimates) the amount of surface moisture in the occupant's skin based on the detection results from the occupant monitoring means 22 (for example, by analyzing images of the occupant from an in-vehicle camera), and calculates a skin condition evaluation value based on the detected amount of surface moisture in the skin. The calculated skin condition evaluation value is used for setting air conditioning parameters and calculating the skin beautifying effect. The amount of surface moisture in the occupant's skin may also be detected directly by a detection means that comes into contact with the occupant's skin.

[0043] The occupant state estimation means 33 estimates the occupant's internal state (brain state) based on the detection results from the occupant monitoring means 22, and calculates various indices (anxiety index, discomfort index, comfort index) that indicate the occupant's internal state. More specifically, the occupant state estimation means 33 analyzes information acquired by the driver information acquisition means 24 (for example, video of the driver captured by the in-vehicle camera) to identify who each occupant in the vehicle is (occupant's user ID), and also detects (estimates) the occupant's physiological state quantities (for example, heart rate, pulse wave, skin electrical activity, respiration, sweating, etc.), as well as the occupant's behavior (for example, behavior indicating psychological distress or anxiety, behavioral disturbances, etc.). Based on the physiological state quantities and behavior of the occupant detected in this way, various indices indicating the occupant's internal state are calculated.

[0044] The occupant state estimation means 33 includes an anxiety index calculation means 33A, a discomfort index calculation means 33B, and a comfort index calculation means 33C. The anxiety index calculation means 33A is a means for calculating an anxiety index, which is an indicator of the magnitude of anxiety (particularly the worry that the air conditioning may be having a negative effect on the skin) that the vehicle occupant is experiencing. The anxiety index is calculated based, for example, on fluctuations in physiological state values ​​(e.g., increased heart rate) and the frequency of characteristic behaviors that indicate the occupant is feeling anxiety or stress. As will be described in more detail later, if the anxiety index exceeds a predetermined anxiety threshold (ON threshold), explicit feedback is provided from the HMI 24 (see Figure 3).

[0045] The discomfort index calculation means 33B is a means for calculating the discomfort index, which is an index indicating the degree of discomfort experienced by the occupants of a vehicle in relation to the temperature (heat or cold) inside the vehicle. The discomfort index is calculated, for example, based on physiological state quantities (e.g., sweat volume) that indicate the occupants are experiencing discomfort with the temperature.

[0046] If the discomfort index exceeds a predetermined discomfort threshold, the air conditioning system will execute temperature priority control (conflict performance suppression control), which prioritizes temperature adjustment inside the vehicle cabin, even while operating in the "beauty mode" (a mode that maintains good skin and eye condition). In temperature priority control (conflict performance suppression control), the airflow volume and direction (airflow) of the conditioned air are adjusted so that the temperature inside the vehicle cabin reaches (rises or falls) the target temperature.

[0047] The comfort index calculation means 33C is a means for calculating a comfort index, which is an indicator showing the balance of autonomic nervous system activity of the vehicle occupants (whether the activity of the sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous system is dominant). The comfort index is calculated based on physiological state quantities (e.g., pulse waves) that indicate autonomic nervous system activity. As will be described in more detail later, air conditioning stimulation is supplied based on the occupants' comfort index.

[0048] The air conditioning control means 34 is a means for controlling the operation of the air conditioning unit 23 and includes an air conditioning parameter calculation means 34A. Here, air conditioning parameters are various setting values ​​for operating the air conditioning unit 23 as required, and the temperature, humidity, airflow rate, direction, etc. of the conditioned air supplied from the air conditioning unit 23 (conditioned air supply means 23A) are controlled according to the air conditioning parameters.

[0049] The air conditioning parameter calculation means 34A calculates air conditioning parameters based on the in-vehicle environment evaluation value calculated by the in-vehicle environment evaluation means 31, the skin condition evaluation value calculated by the skin condition evaluation means 32, various indices (discomfort index, comfort index) calculated by the occupant condition estimation means 33, various instructions and information input to the HMI 26 (selection of driving mode, user ID, etc.), and various information stored in the database D. For example, if the "beauty mode" is selected as the driving mode, the air conditioning parameters are set to supply conditioned air with a higher skin-beautifying effect (for example, a higher humidification amount) compared to the normal mode. The air conditioning control means 34 controls the air conditioning unit 23 according to the calculated air conditioning parameters and operates the air conditioning unit 23.

[0050] The air conditioning control means 34 selectively performs arousal control and sedation control based on the comfort index of the occupants. Here, arousal control is performed when it is determined that parasympathetic nervous system activity is dominant based on the comfort index and a predetermined threshold. In arousal control, an activating stimulus that has the effect of activating sympathetic nervous system activity is supplied as an air conditioning stimulus (for example, a scent that has the effect of waking up the occupants, or adjustment of the harmonious air temperature to a temperature that wakes up the occupants).

[0051] On the other hand, sedation control is a control system that is executed when it is determined that sympathetic nervous system activity is dominant, based on a comfort index and a predetermined threshold. In sedation control, sedation stimuli that have the effect of activating parasympathetic nervous system activity are supplied as air conditioning stimuli (for example, scents that have a relaxing effect on occupants, or adjustment of the harmonious air temperature to a temperature that calms occupants).

[0052] In this way, arousal control and sedation control are selectively executed according to the comfort index, so that the balance of autonomic nervous system activity is restored while the air conditioning system is operating (see Figures 9 and 10). Therefore, the occupants will perceive the effects of the air conditioning system as comfortable, fostering the belief that they will become comfortable by receiving conditioned air, and the occupants' internal state (occupant internal model 1) will be positively updated.

[0053] The communication control means 35 is a means for controlling input and output via the HMI 24. Specifically, the input means 23C receives various inputs from the occupants and transmits them to the air conditioning control means, etc., and the output means (display 24A and speaker 24B) provides various information to the occupants (for example, displays regarding the air quality of the conditioned air, displays indicating skin beautifying effects, displays indicating the amount of moisture on the skin surface, etc.).

[0054] If the anxiety index calculated by the anxiety index calculation means 33A exceeds a predetermined anxiety threshold, the occupant is provided with explicit feedback via the output means of the HMI 24 indicating that the air conditioning system is operating in skin-beautifying mode and that the air conditioning is adequately improving the condition of the skin and eyes (air conditioning that prevents dryness of the skin and eyes).

[0055] Figure 3 shows an example of explicit feedback displayed on display 24A. As shown in the figure, the explicit feedback displays the text "Skin-beautifying air conditioning in operation" and "Temperature priority in operation," indicating that while temperature control is currently prioritized, air conditioning is being used with skin-beautifying properties (prevention of skin dryness and improvement of skin condition) in mind. In addition, the text and diagrams of "Moisturizing airflow" and "Moisturizing filter" are displayed, making it immediately clear that the moisturizing filter is operating properly and moisturizing airflow is being supplied.

[0056] In this way, explicit feedback is provided when the anxiety index exceeds the anxiety threshold, so that the vehicle occupant's external perception and motor system prediction error 2A is appropriately reduced. That is, if a vehicle occupant has a mistaken perception (prediction error) that the conditioned air supplied by the air conditioning system is bad for the skin (dries out the skin) even though the conditioned air is appropriate, this state of the vehicle occupant is identified by the increase in the anxiety index, and explicit feedback is provided as a countermeasure, so that the occupant is guided to the correct perception (for example, the perception changes to realizing that the feeling of dry skin is not due to a problem with the air conditioning, but simply because the occupant has become accustomed to a less dry state). Therefore, in the occupant internal model 1, the belief that the air conditioning has a positive effect on the skin is fostered, so the occupant's sense of security and trust in the air conditioning increases, and the occupant's comfort level improves while the air conditioning system is operating.

[0057] Furthermore, when the operation of the air conditioning system in skin-beautifying mode ends, the communication control means 35 provides a display indicating the effects of skin-beautifying mode via the output means of the HMI 24 (for example, the display 24A). Specifically, it displays the skin-beautifying effect of the current skin-beautifying mode (improvement of skin moisture content), the current skin moisture content as a result of the current skin-beautifying mode operation, and the long-term range of skin-beautifying effects (history of improvement in skin moisture content).

[0058] Furthermore, when the operation of the air conditioning system in skin-beautifying mode ends, input means 24C will accept input from a questionnaire evaluating the sense of security experienced in skin-beautifying mode, and this will be used to improve future operation in skin-beautifying mode.

[0059] Next, an example of control in the vehicle control device of the present invention will be explained according to the flowcharts in Figures 4 to 7. Figure 4 shows the overall control flow. In the overall control, first, in step S1, the user ID is entered. Subsequently, in step S2, the skin beautifying mode is set, in step S3, the skin beautifying mode transition control is performed, in step S4, the skin beautifying mode control is performed, and in step S5, the effect feedback is performed sequentially.

[0060] In this embodiment, the input of the user ID in step S1 and the setting of the skin-beautifying mode in step S2 are performed at the same time as the start of operation of the vehicle's air conditioning system (in normal mode). On the other hand, the processing in steps S3 to S5 is performed at the start of operation in skin-beautifying mode.

[0061] Figure 5 shows an example of control in the skin beautifying mode set. In the skin beautifying mode set, step S11 measures the in-vehicle environment and reads the measurement data. In the following step S12, an in-vehicle environment evaluation value is calculated based on the measured data of the in-vehicle environment. In step S13, the skin moisture content of the occupants is measured and the measurement data is read, and in the following step S14, a skin surface moisture evaluation value is calculated.

[0062] In step S15, the air conditioning parameters for the beauty mode are calculated based on the calculated in-vehicle environment evaluation value and skin surface moisture evaluation value. In the following step S16, the air conditioning parameters are set, and the beauty mode setting process is completed.

[0063] Figure 6 shows an example of the control for transitioning to the skin beautifying mode. In the skin beautifying mode transition control, first, in step S21, various physiological state data are read.

[0064] In step S22, the discomfort index is calculated. In the following step S23, it is determined whether the discomfort index is above the discomfort threshold. If it is above the discomfort threshold, the process proceeds to step S24, where reciprocal performance suppression control (temperature priority control) is executed. In the following step S25, explicit feedback is turned on, and the process returns to step S21, repeating the steps from step S21 onward.

[0065] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S23 that the discomfort index is not above the discomfort threshold, the process proceeds to step S26 to calculate the anxiety index. In the following step S27, it is determined whether the anxiety index is above the anxiety threshold. If it is determined that the anxiety index is above the anxiety threshold, the process proceeds to step S24 to execute (continue) the reciprocal performance suppression control (temperature priority control). In the following step S25, explicit feedback is turned on (continue), and the process returns to step S21, repeating the steps from step S21 onward.

[0066] In step S27, if it is determined that the anxiety index is not above the anxiety threshold, the process proceeds to step S28, where explicit feedback is turned off, and in the following step S29, the process transitions to normal skin beautification mode control, ending the skin beautification mode transition control.

[0067] Figure 7 shows an example of the normal control of the skin beautifying mode. In the normal control of the skin beautifying mode, in step S31, measurement data of the skin surface moisture content is read, and in the following step S32, a skin condition evaluation value is calculated.

[0068] In step S33, the skin beautifying effect (a value indicating whether the surface moisture content of the occupant's skin has improved in skin beautifying mode) is calculated based on the calculated skin condition evaluation value, and in the following step S34, the skin beautifying effect at that time is displayed in real time.

[0069] In step S35, it is determined whether there was a skin-beautifying effect (whether the value of the skin-beautifying effect is above the standard value). If there is no effect (if the standard value is not reached), the process proceeds to step S36, where the air conditioning parameters are recalculated (the air conditioning parameters are reset so that a skin-beautifying effect is obtained), and the process returns to step S31, repeating the process from step S31 onward.

[0070] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S35 that there is a skin-beautifying effect, the process proceeds to step S37, where physiological state data is read, and in the following step S38, the comfort index is calculated.

[0071] In step S39, a determination is made based on the comfort index to determine whether the parasympathetic nervous system is dominant. If the parasympathetic nervous system is dominant, the process proceeds to step 40 to perform arousal control and then to step S43. On the other hand, if the parasympathetic nervous system is not dominant, the process proceeds to step S41.

[0072] In step S41, a determination is made based on the comfort index to determine whether the sympathetic nervous system is dominant. If the sympathetic nervous system is dominant, the process proceeds to step 42, where sedation control is performed, and then to step S43. On the other hand, if the sympathetic nervous system is not dominant (i.e., the activity of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems is balanced), the process proceeds to step S43.

[0073] In step S43, it is determined whether or not to continue operating in skin beautifying mode. If operation is to continue, the process returns to step S31 and the steps from step S31 onward are repeated. On the other hand, if operation is not to continue (if skin beautifying mode termination is selected), the normal skin beautifying mode control is terminated.

[0074] In addition, the flowchart above shows an example of control where neither arousal control nor sedation control is performed when the activity of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems is balanced. However, even when the activity of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems is balanced, either arousal control or sedation control may be selectively performed at all times depending on the dominance of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems (see Figures 9 and 10).

[0075] Figure 8 shows an example of controlling the feedback of the effect. In the feedback of the effect, in step S51, a skin condition evaluation value is calculated, and in the following step S52, the skin beautifying effect is calculated based on the calculated skin condition evaluation value.

[0076] In step S53, the skin beautifying effect obtained from the current skin beautifying mode operation is displayed, and in step S54, the current skin surface moisture content is displayed. In step S55, the long-term skin beautifying effect, including the current skin beautifying mode operation, is calculated by referring to the history data of skin beautifying effects, and in step S56, the long-term skin beautifying effect is displayed.

[0077] In step S57, a sense of security evaluation is performed (the results of a questionnaire given by the crew regarding their sense of security (satisfaction) with the skin-beautifying mode are entered), and the series of processes is completed.

[0078] Figures 9 and 10 show the operation (function) of the vehicle air conditioning system of the present invention in timing charts. Figure 9 shows the case where temperature priority control and explicit feedback are not performed, while Figure 10 shows the case where temperature priority control and explicit feedback are performed at the beginning of the skin-beautifying mode.

[0079] As shown in Figure 9, when the vehicle's air conditioning system starts operating (in normal mode), the user ID is entered and the skin-beautifying mode is set. Subsequently, when the skin-beautifying mode is turned ON, the skin-beautifying mode starts, and the skin-beautifying effect is gradually achieved (the surface moisture content of the occupant's skin improves).

[0080] Furthermore, in the "beauty mode," sedation and arousal control are repeatedly performed according to the balance of autonomic nervous system activity. Specifically, sympathetic nervous system activity (solid line graph) and parasympathetic nervous system activity (dashed line graph) are compared, and sedation control is performed when sympathetic nervous system activity is dominant, while arousal control is performed when parasympathetic nervous system activity is dominant. This leads to a state where sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system activity are balanced, as shown in the area enclosed by the dashed line in the graph.

[0081] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 10, if the occupant's discomfort index is high at the beginning of the skin-beautifying mode and it is necessary to prioritize bringing the cabin temperature up to the target temperature, conflicting performance suppression control (temperature priority control) is executed. While conflicting performance suppression control is being executed, the skin-beautifying effect will be limited, and the increase in the skin-beautifying effect will be gradual. Conversely, once conflicting performance suppression control ends and the system switches to normal skin-beautifying mode control, the skin-beautifying effect will increase significantly.

[0082] Furthermore, in the reciprocal performance suppression control, the anxiety index is monitored to see if it exceeds the ON threshold. If the anxiety index exceeds the ON threshold (i.e., if dryness anxiety due to airflow becomes dominant), explicit feedback is implemented. Explicit feedback and reciprocal performance suppression control continue until the anxiety index falls below the OFF threshold (and the discomfort index falls below the discomfort threshold).

[0083] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and appropriate modifications can be made within the scope described in the claims. For example, in the above embodiments, an example was shown in which temperature priority control (reciprocal performance suppression control) is continued until the anxiety index falls below the anxiety threshold (or below the OFF threshold), and the temperature priority control (reciprocal performance suppression control) and explicit feedback are terminated simultaneously, but the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, if the discomfort index falls below the discomfort threshold, the temperature priority control may be terminated, while if the anxiety index does not fall below the anxiety threshold (or below the OFF threshold), explicit feedback may be continued even in normal skin-beautifying mode control. In this case, for example, the display of "Temperature Prioritized" in the example of explicit feedback shown in Figure 3 should be removed.

[0084] Furthermore, although the above embodiments describe a case where there is only one vehicle occupant (for example, only the driver) (or a case where only one of several occupants (for example, the driver) is the subject), the present invention is also applicable to multiple vehicle occupants. For example, regarding explicit feedback, if there are multiple occupants in the vehicle, explicit feedback can be provided when the anxiety index of one of the occupants exceeds the anxiety threshold. [Industrial applicability]

[0085] This invention can be used in air conditioning systems for vehicles such as automobiles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1. Crew Interior Model 1A Internal Model of the External Perception and Motor System 1B Internal Model of the Body System 2A External Perception and Motion System Prediction Error 2B Internal System Prediction Error 3A External Perception and Motor System Processing Loop 3B Internal System Processing Loop 20. Vehicle air conditioning systems 21 In-vehicle environment detection means 22 Crew monitoring means 23 Air conditioning unit 23A Conditioned air supply means 23B Humidification mechanism 23C Air conditioning stimulus supply means 24 HMI 24A Display 24B Speaker 24C Input means 31. In-vehicle environment evaluation method 32. Means for evaluating skin condition 33 Crew condition estimation means 33A Anxiety index calculation method 33B Discomfort index calculation method 33C Comfort Index Calculation Method 34 Air conditioning control means 34A Air Conditioning Parameter Calculation Method 35 Communication control means

Claims

1. A conditioned air supply means for supplying conditioned air to the interior of a vehicle, A vehicle interior environment detection means for detecting the environment inside the vehicle interior, An air conditioning control means that controls the supply of conditioned air from the conditioned air supply means according to the in-vehicle environment detected by the in-vehicle environment detection means, A means for monitoring the occupants of the vehicle, A crew state estimation means that estimates the state of the crew based on the detection results from the crew monitoring means, An interface means for providing information to the crew member In a vehicle air conditioning system equipped with, The aforementioned air conditioning control means can select a "beauty mode" that supplies conditioned air with adjusted humidification levels to improve the skin condition of the occupants. The occupant state estimation means includes an anxiety index calculation means that calculates an anxiety index, which is an index representing the degree of anxiety felt by the occupant, from the physiological state quantities of the occupant detected by the occupant monitoring means. The interface means is a vehicle air conditioning system that, in the skin beautifying mode, provides information indicating that the conditioned air is adjusted to improve the condition of the occupant's skin when the anxiety index is above a predetermined anxiety threshold.

2. In the vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 1, The air conditioning control means is capable of performing temperature-priority control in the "beauty mode" which prioritizes optimizing the temperature environment inside the vehicle. The interface means provides information indicating that when the temperature adjustment priority control is being performed, control for optimizing the temperature environment inside the vehicle is being performed, but the conditioned air is adjusted to improve the skin condition of the occupants.

3. In the vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 1, The conditioned air supply means includes an air conditioning stimulus supply means that supplies air conditioning stimuli that act on the autonomic nervous system of the occupants. The air conditioning control means is capable of selectively performing, in the skin beautifying mode, an awakening control that supplies air conditioning stimulation from the air conditioning stimulation supply means to activate the sympathetic nervous system activity of an occupant when it is determined from the physiological state of the occupant detected by the occupant monitoring means that the occupant is in a state of parasympathetic nervous system activity dominance, and a sedation control that supplies air conditioning stimulation from the air conditioning stimulation supply means to activate the parasympathetic nervous system activity of an occupant when it is determined from the physiological state of the occupant detected by the occupant monitoring means that the occupant is in a state of sympathetic nervous system activity dominance.

4. In the vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 3, The air conditioning stimulation supply means is a vehicle air conditioning system that supplies a scent that has the effect of waking up the occupant in the wakefulness control.

5. In the vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 3, The air conditioning stimulation supply means is a vehicle air conditioning system that supplies a fragrance having a relaxing effect on the occupant in the sedation control.

6. In the vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 1, The interface means is a vehicle air conditioning system that provides information indicating the effects obtained by performing the skin beautifying mode during and / or after the skin beautifying mode is performed.

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