Method for operating a storage compartment unit in a vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for operating a storage compartment unit (2) in a vehicle (1), wherein the storage compartment unit (2) comprises a temperature control unit (3), a storage compartment (A1) that can be cooled using the temperature control unit (3), and a storage compartment (A2) that can be heated using the temperature control unit (3), and the temperature control unit (3) receives sensor data from the vehicle's (1) sensor system (10), and / or information from a central unit (11) outside the vehicle, and / or information from the vehicle user's personal communication unit (12), and / or vehicle In response to information from communication between the user and the vehicle (1)'s man-machine interface (13), the system controls the cooling of a coolable storage compartment (A1) and / or the heating of a heatable storage compartment (A2). When the presence of a vehicle user is identified in the vehicle (1), an ambient temperature within a predetermined temperature range is identified, a predetermined activity of the vehicle user is identified, and a predetermined operating state of the vehicle (1) is identified, the cooling of the coolable storage compartment (A1) and / or the heating of the heatable storage compartment (A2) are controlled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating a storage compartment unit in a vehicle and a vehicle according to the features of claim 1.

Background Art

[0002] From Patent Document 1, a method for operating a storage compartment unit in a vehicle is known. To implement this known method, the vehicle has a temperature control unit, a storage compartment that can be cooled using this temperature control unit, and a storage compartment that can be heated using the temperature control unit. The temperature control unit is controlled to cool the storage compartment that can be cooled and / or to heat the storage compartment that can be heated, and is moreover controlled according to sensor data of the vehicle's sensor system and / or information from the communication between the vehicle user and the vehicle's man-machine interface.

[0003] A similar method for operating a storage compartment unit having two modules is described in Patent Document 2. The temperature control device realizes cooling or heating of beverage cans or the like in those modules. For this purpose, the temperature control device is connected to a control unit and a power supply unit.

[0004] Another similar method is described in Patent Document 3. Furthermore, a self-adjusting drink holder is described, which includes a storage area, an alignment lever, and a biasing element for biasing the alignment lever to a first position. The storage area is designed to accommodate a part of a beverage container. The alignment lever is disposed in a slot in the wall of the storage area. The first end of the alignment lever is pivotally connected to a part of the wall, so that the first edge of the lever is movable between a first position and a second position. The first edge is located within the storage area when the alignment lever is in the first position. The first edge is spaced farther from the wall than the second position in the first position.

[0005] A method for exclusively cooling one storage compartment and exclusively heating the other storage compartment is known from Patent Document 4, but this method does not allow the use of a control unit. Temperature control is known from Patent Document 5.

[0006] Patent Document 6 relates to a heatable face mask in a storage compartment. Patent Document 7 describes a device for illuminating the interior of an automobile. This device includes a light source positioned in the interior of the automobile for emitting light to illuminate the interior. The automobile has a retractable hardtop that can be folded down. A portion of the roof lining facing the interior of the automobile has a flat or elongated member that actively emits light, and this member forms at least part of a light source for illuminating the interior, emitting light across its surface or along its length. Furthermore, the light source is positioned in the interior of the automobile such that the light emitted from the light source enters the roof lining of the automobile, and this roof lining illuminates the interior as an indirect light source. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] CN211001042U [Patent Document 2] DE102014113860A1 [Patent Document 3] US6637709B1 [Patent Document 4] KR1020080025990A [Patent Document 5] KR1020210065480A [Patent Document 6] DE102020004478A1 [Patent Document 7] DE102017128896A1 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] The present invention provides an improved method for operating a storage compartment unit in a vehicle, and an improved vehicle compared to the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] This problem is solved by the present invention, with a method for operating a storage compartment unit in a vehicle having the features of claim 1, and a vehicle having the features of claim 5.

[0010] Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are subject to the dependent claims.

[0011] A method according to the present invention for operating a storage compartment unit in a vehicle comprises at least one temperature control unit, at least one storage compartment that can be cooled using the temperature control unit, and at least one storage compartment that can be heated using the temperature control unit, wherein the temperature control unit is controlled to cool the coolable storage compartment and / or heat the heatable storage compartment in response to sensor data from the vehicle's sensor system, and / or information from a central unit outside the vehicle, particularly a so-called backend, and / or information from the vehicle user's personal, particularly mobile communication unit, particularly a cell phone, and / or information from communication between the vehicle user and the vehicle's man-machine interface, wherein the essence of the invention is that the coolable storage compartment is cooled and / or the heatable storage compartment is heated when the presence of a vehicle user is identified in the vehicle, an ambient temperature within a predetermined temperature range is identified, a predetermined activity of the vehicle user is identified, and a predetermined operating state of the vehicle is identified. This allows the operation of cooling and / or heating to be directly adapted, for example, to the ambient temperature and / or the activities of the vehicle user. For example, after the vehicle starts moving, or after the charging process begins for a vehicle configured as an electric vehicle, if a vehicle user is identified inside the vehicle and the ambient temperature exceeds 30°C, a coolable storage compartment can be cooled, and as soon as a predetermined temperature of, for example, 16°C is reached in this storage compartment, the lighting unit of this storage compartment can be activated, which preferably emits blue light. This reminds the vehicle user to take out and use a cooled object, such as a face mask, and thereby relax.

[0012] A vehicle according to the present invention has at least one storage compartment unit operated by the method described in claim 1. The storage compartment unit comprises at least one temperature control unit, at least one storage compartment that can be cooled using the temperature control unit, and at least one storage compartment that can be heated using the temperature control unit. Furthermore, the storage compartment unit is advantageously connected at least temporarily for data transmission connections to the vehicle's sensor system and / or a central unit outside the vehicle and / or a personal, particularly mobile, communication unit of the vehicle user and / or a man-machine interface for communication between the vehicle user and the vehicle.

[0013] In particular, a cooling storage compartment is used to cool, for example, a face mask and / or eye mask and / or face towel for the vehicle user, and / or a heating storage compartment is used to heat, for example, a scarf and / or blanket and / or face mask and / or face towel for the vehicle user. These objects are used particularly to relax the vehicle user, for example, while the vehicle is in motion when the vehicle user is not the driver, or during the vehicle's automated driving mode, particularly the highly automated driving mode or autonomous driving mode, or while the vehicle is stopped for charging if it is designed as an electric or hybrid vehicle. In this case, the vehicle user can, for example, move their vehicle seat to a so-called relaxation position, i.e., a reclining position, or at least a position where the seat back is tilted backward, and to further relax, they can wear a cooled or heated face mask, or a cooled or heated face towel, or a cooled eye mask in particular of a desired form, and / or wrap a heated scarf around themselves, and / or drape a heated blanket over themselves. Thus, the solution according to the present invention achieves improved comfort for the vehicle user.

[0014] The temperature control unit is specifically formed as a Peltier element. In particular, the temperature control unit is positioned between two storage compartments. This type of Peltier element can cool rapidly. However, a Peltier element has a low-temperature side and a high-temperature side. Conventionally, when using a Peltier element, there is a drawback that the heat from the high-temperature side is often not utilized and is instead dissipated. In the solution described here, both sides of the Peltier element are efficiently utilized. The low-temperature side is used to cool the storage compartment that can be cooled, and advantageously, at the same time, the high-temperature side is used to heat the storage compartment that can be heated.

[0015] Therefore, advantageously, the temperature control unit, which is formed as a Peltier element, is positioned between two storage compartments such that the heat from the high-temperature side of the Peltier element is radiated to a heating-capable storage compartment, and the low temperature from the low-temperature side of the Peltier element is radiated to a cooling-capable storage compartment. This achieves particularly good energy utilization.

[0016] In particular, to further optimize this energy utilization, it is advantageous for the two storage compartments to be stacked vertically, i.e., arranged in two tiers. In this case, the cooling storage compartment is located at the bottom, and the heating storage compartment is located at the top. This prevents heat from the heating storage compartment from reaching the cooling storage compartment and overheating it. Alternatively, other arrangements of the storage compartments are also possible, such as arranging them side by side.

[0017] In particular, the connection between the temperature control unit, which is formed as a Peltier element, and the storage compartments is configured such that heat conduction from the temperature control unit to each storage compartment is optimized. For example, this can be achieved by using a material with good thermal conductivity between the temperature control unit and each storage compartment. For this purpose, for example, at least one wall portion of each storage compartment in contact with the temperature control unit is formed from this material. Alternatively or additionally, advantageously, a flat thermal contact area is provided between each storage compartment and the temperature control unit, or a thermal conduction channel structure is provided between each storage compartment and the temperature control unit.

[0018] The two storage compartments are advantageously formed as chambers. That is, the storage compartments, and in particular each individual compartment, have only relatively small openings for accommodating and retrieving objects. The opening area of ​​the openings is smaller than, and especially much smaller than, the total wall area of ​​each storage compartment. This ensures good thermal shielding of the interior space of each storage compartment from the external surrounding environment.

[0019] Advantageously, one lighting unit is associated with each of the two storage compartments. In particular here, the lighting unit associated with the coolable storage compartment emits light of a different color from the lighting unit associated with the heatable storage compartment. For example, the lighting unit associated with the coolable storage compartment emits blue light, and the lighting unit associated with the heatable storage compartment emits red light. In the present method, in particular, each lighting unit is activated when a respective predetermined event occurs. For example, each lighting unit is activated when a predetermined temperature is reached in the storage compartment with which each lighting unit is associated. The lighting unit gives the vehicle user a visual indication, for example, of the offer of a temperature-controlled storage compartment.

[0020] Each lighting unit has, for example, a light guide and a light source. The light source is formed, for example, as an LED (light emitting diode). Each lighting unit is arranged, in particular, in each respective storage compartment and is integrated, for example, into those storage compartments.

[0021] In one possible embodiment, at least one housing of the storage compartment unit is manufactured using an additive manufacturing method, particularly a three-dimensional printing method. Thereby, for example, a heat conduction channel structure can also be manufactured, and / or a heat-conductive material and / or a heat-conductive structure for conducting the high or low temperature of the temperature control unit as desired can be incorporated into the housing. For example, the light conductor of the lighting unit is also manufactured using this additive manufacturing method. For additive manufacturing, advantageously, a material with good heat conductivity is used, so that the high or low temperature of the temperature control unit is optimized and conducted to each storage compartment, particularly around the internal space of each storage compartment. Furthermore, additive manufacturing enables, for example, the adaptation of the housing with respect to shape, color and / or material to the customer's wishes and / or the existing structural space characteristics in each vehicle, particularly in the area of each vehicle seat of the vehicle.

[0022] To monitor the temperature within each storage compartment, for example, a temperature sensor (not shown here) can be provided in each storage compartment. Thereby, it can be ensured that a predetermined temperature is reached and then maintained constant in each storage compartment. For example, the vehicle user can also be notified via the man-machine interface that information regarding the reaching of the predetermined temperature is notified, particularly using an audio output or a visual output.

[0023] For example, the lighting unit can also be used to communicate with the vehicle user. For example, when the ambient temperature is high, i.e., within a predetermined high-temperature range, the lighting unit associated with the coolable storage compartment can be activated, thereby advantageously by emitting blue light and / or by flashing the lighting unit and / or by increasing its brightness, to make the intended offer to the vehicle user to use a cooled object in this coolable storage compartment, such as a face mask and / or eye mask and / or face towel. For example, this can also be provided to the vehicle user, or requested by the vehicle user, via a man-machine interface for communication between the vehicle user and the vehicle, particularly acoustically, particularly by voice output. For example, in response to this request from the vehicle user, the corresponding lighting unit is activated. That is, the lighting unit associated with the coolable storage compartment is activated when a cooled object is requested, emitting blue light in particular, and the lighting unit associated with the heatable storage compartment is activated when a heated object is requested, emitting red light in particular.

[0024] The storage compartment unit is advantageously positioned within the vehicle, within reach of the vehicle user, particularly when the vehicle user is in the aforementioned relaxed position. In this case, for example, the opening of the storage compartment can be made accessible only when the vehicle seat is in the relaxed position. For example, in this way, the vehicle seat can be used to close, or at least shield, the opening of the storage compartment from the external surrounding environment, unless the vehicle seat is in the relaxed position, thereby further optimizing the energy efficiency of the cooling or heating of each storage compartment.

[0025] The storage compartment unit can be located, for example, in the vehicle's central console or on a fixed armrest. For example, the storage compartment unit may have a length of 15 cm, a width of 12 cm, and a height of 4 cm. However, other dimensions are also possible. The opening of the storage compartment is located, for example, under the upper cover of the central console or armrest. In particular, these openings are positioned to be accessible to a vehicle user seated in the vehicle seat, but only when the vehicle seat is in the relaxed position.

[0026] To control a storage compartment unit, the storage compartment unit preferably has a control unit. The control unit is connected to and controls a temperature control unit. Advantageously, a lighting unit is also connected to the control unit, and therefore the lighting unit is activated and deactivated by this control unit. For example, a temperature sensor associated with a storage compartment is connected to the control unit. This ensures that a predetermined temperature is reached and maintained in each storage compartment by the control unit appropriately controlling the temperature control unit. Preferably, the vehicle's sensor system, and / or a central unit outside the vehicle, and / or a vehicle user's personal communication unit, and / or a man-machine interface for communication between the vehicle user and the vehicle are also connected to the control unit, at least temporarily, and at least for a data transmission connection.

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0028] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram of a vehicle equipped with a storage compartment unit is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle 1 equipped with a storage compartment unit 2.

[0030] The storage compartment unit 2 has two storage compartments A1 and A2, and a temperature control unit 3, which is formed as a Peltier element, is positioned between them. Thus, the low-temperature side of the Peltier element is thermally coupled to one storage compartment A1, thereby enabling cooling of one storage compartment A1, and the high-temperature side of the Peltier element is thermally coupled to the other storage compartment A2, thereby enabling heating of the other storage compartment A2.

[0031] In Figure 1, the resulting energy flow is schematically shown by the energy flow arrow P. Heat originating from the coolable storage compartment A1 is absorbed by the Peltier element, thereby cooling storage compartment A1, and heat is released into the heatable storage compartment A2, thereby heating storage compartment A2.

[0032] In the illustrated example, the two storage compartments A1 and A2 are stacked vertically, i.e., arranged in two tiers. In this illustrated example, the coolable storage compartment A1 is located above the heated storage compartment A2. In another embodiment, in order to avoid, or at least further reduce, the heating of the coolable storage compartment A1 by the heat of the heated storage compartment A2, and thereby improve the energy efficiency of the storage compartment unit 2, the two storage compartments A1 and A2 can be arranged in reverse. That is, in this case, the coolable storage compartment A1 is located below the heated storage compartment A2.

[0033] In the illustrated example, the connection between the temperature control unit 3, which is formed as a Peltier element, and the storage compartments A1 and A2 is configured such that heat conduction from the temperature control unit 3 to each of the storage compartments A1 and A2 is optimized. For example, this can be achieved by using a material with good thermal conductivity, particularly a material with high thermal diffusivity, between the temperature control unit 3 and each of the storage compartments A1 and A2. For this purpose, for example, at least one wall portion of each of the storage compartments A1 and A2 that is in contact with the temperature control unit 3 is formed from this material. Alternatively or additionally, advantageously, as shown in Figure 1, a flat thermal contact area is provided between each of the storage compartments A1 and A2 and the temperature control unit 3. Here, the temperature control unit 3 is integrated into an intermediate wall between the two storage compartments A1 and A2, and is thermally bonded to this intermediate wall in a flat manner, particularly across the entire surface, in the direction of each of the storage compartments A1 and A2. Alternatively or additionally, a heat conduction channel structure 4 can be provided between each storage compartment A1, A2 and the temperature control unit 3. In the example shown herein, this type of heat conduction structure 4 is formed by a perforated structure of the intermediate wall, at least in the region of the temperature control unit 3, in the direction of each storage compartment A1, A2.

[0034] As schematically shown in Figure 1, the two storage compartments A1 and A2 are advantageously formed as chambers. That is, storage compartments A1 and A2, and in particular each of them, have only relatively small openings for storing objects O in and taking those objects O out of each of them. The opening area of ​​the openings is smaller than, and especially much smaller than, the total wall area of ​​each of the storage compartments A1 and A2. This ensures good thermal shielding of the internal space of each of the storage compartments A1 and A2 from the external surrounding environment.

[0035] In the illustrated example, two storage compartments A1 and A2 are each associated with one lighting unit B1 and one lighting unit B2. In particular, lighting unit B1 associated with the coolable storage compartment A1 emits light of a different color than lighting unit B2 associated with the heated storage compartment A2. For example, lighting unit B1 associated with the coolable storage compartment A1 emits blue light, and lighting unit B2 associated with the heated storage compartment A2 emits red light.

[0036] In the illustrated example, each lighting unit B1 and B2 has a light conductor 5 and a light source 6. In the illustrated example, the light source 6 is formed as an LED, specifically an RGB-LED, so that it can produce the different colors of light mentioned above.

[0037] Each lighting unit B1 and B2 is located in their respective storage compartments A1 and A2, and is integrated into them, for example. In the illustrated example, each light conductor 5 extends along the back of each storage compartment A1 and A2, along the top surface of the upper storage compartment A1, or along the bottom surface of the lower storage compartment A2, to the area of ​​the opening. Therefore, the thermal coupling between the temperature control unit 3 and the storage compartments is not affected by the light conductor 5.

[0038] In the illustrated example, each light source 6 is positioned at the optical input coupling points of each optical conductor 5 on the rear walls of the respective storage compartments A1 and A2. The optical output coupling points 7, particularly the optical output coupling structures formed on each optical conductor 5, are provided in the illustrated example, especially in the end regions of each optical conductor 5 opposite to the optical input coupling points, specifically in the rear walls of the respective storage compartments A1 and A2 and the regions of the openings of the respective storage compartments A1 and A2. This achieves illumination of the entire storage compartments A1 and A2, and further enhances the illumination of the opening regions of the respective storage compartments A1 and A2, thereby making the light visible from the outside, and especially visible to the vehicle user.

[0039] To monitor the temperature within each storage compartment A1 and A2, temperature sensors (not shown here) can be installed in each compartment. This ensures that each storage compartment A1 and A2 reaches a predetermined temperature and then maintains that temperature.

[0040] For example, at least one housing 8 of the storage compartment unit 2 is manufactured using additive manufacturing, particularly a three-dimensional printing method also known as 3D printing. This allows for the manufacture of, for example, a heat conduction channel structure 4 and / or the incorporation of a heat-conductive material and / or structure into the housing 8 to conduct the high or low temperatures of the temperature control unit 3 as intended. For example, the light conductors 5 of the lighting units B1 and B2 are also manufactured using this additive manufacturing method. For example, at least the components of the light source 6 can also be manufactured using this additive manufacturing method.

[0041] For additive manufacturing, it is advantageous that materials with good thermal conductivity are used so that the high or low temperature of the temperature control unit 3 is optimized and conducted to the respective storage compartments A1 and A2, and in particular to the periphery of the internal space of each storage compartment A1 and A2. Furthermore, additive manufacturing enables the adaptation of the housing 8 in terms of shape, color, and / or material to customer requirements and / or existing structural space characteristics, for example, in each vehicle 1, particularly in the area of ​​each vehicle seat in vehicle 1.

[0042] In particular, a cooling storage compartment A1 is used to cool, for example, a face mask and / or eye mask and / or face towel for the vehicle user, and / or a heating storage compartment A2 is used to heat, for example, a scarf and / or blanket and / or face mask and / or face towel for the vehicle user. The objects O illustrated exemplarily in storage compartments A1 and A2 in Figure 1 are advantageously formed in this manner.

[0043] These objects O are used, for example, while the vehicle 1 is in motion when the vehicle user is not the driver, or during an automated driving mode of the vehicle 1, particularly an automated driving mode or an autonomous driving mode, or, if the vehicle 1 is designed as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, while it is stopped for charging, especially to help the vehicle user relax.

[0044] In this case, the vehicle user may, for example, move their vehicle seat to a so-called relaxation position, i.e., a reclining position, or at least a position in which the seat back is tilted backward, and to further relax, they may wear a cooled or heated face mask, or a cooled or heated face towel, or a cooled eye mask of a particular type, and / or wrap a heated scarf around themselves and / or drape a heated blanket over themselves.

[0045] Accordingly, the storage compartment unit 2 is advantageously positioned in the vehicle 1 within reach of the vehicle user, particularly when the vehicle user is in a relaxed position in the vehicle seat. In this case, for example, the openings of the storage compartments A1 and A2 can be provided so that they are accessible only when the vehicle seat is in a relaxed position. For example, in this way, the vehicle seat can be used to close, or at least shield, the openings of the storage compartments A1 and A2 from the external surrounding environment, unless the vehicle seat is in a relaxed position, thereby further optimizing the energy efficiency of the cooling or heating of each storage compartment A1 and A2.

[0046] The storage compartment unit 2 can be located, for example, on the central console or a fixed armrest of the vehicle 1. For example, the storage compartment unit has a length of 15 cm, a width of 12 cm, and a height of 4 cm. However, other dimensions are also possible. The openings of the storage compartments A1 and A2 are located, for example, under the upper cover of the central console or armrest. In particular, their openings are positioned to be accessible to a vehicle user seated in a vehicle seat, but are positioned to be accessible only when, for example, the vehicle seat is in the relaxed position.

[0047] To control the storage compartment unit 2, the storage compartment unit 2, in the illustrated example, has a control device 9, which is connected to the light sources 6 of the temperature control unit 3 and lighting units B1 and B2 for their control and for electrical energy supply. Preferably, temperature sensors, not shown here, which are associated with storage compartments A1 and A2, are also connected to the control device 9. This ensures that the temperature control unit 3 is appropriately controlled by the control device 9, thereby guaranteeing that a predetermined temperature is reached and maintained in each storage compartment A1 and A2. Furthermore, the lighting units B1 and B2 can be activated using the control device 9, especially when a predetermined temperature is reached in each storage compartment A1 and A2.

[0048] In the illustrated example, the storage compartment unit 2, more precisely its control unit 9, is further connected, at least temporarily, to the vehicle's sensor system 10, and / or the central unit 11 outside the vehicle, and / or the vehicle user's personal, particularly mobile, communication unit 12, and / or the man-machine interface 13 for communication between the vehicle user and the vehicle 1, at least for data transmission connections.

[0049] The external central unit 11 is a so-called backend, particularly for service provision and / or service supply, especially for the manufacturer of vehicle 1. The vehicle user's personal communication unit 12 is a mobile phone, particularly a smartphone. For example, the storage compartment unit 2, particularly its control unit 9, is at least temporarily connected to one or more applications installed therein, particularly for information transmission. The man-machine interface 13 enables voice communication, particularly between the vehicle user and vehicle 1, and therefore between the vehicle user and the storage compartment unit 2, particularly its control unit 9. The sensor system 10 of vehicle 1 includes, for example, an outside temperature sensor for determining the ambient temperature of the environment outside vehicle 1, and / or an occupant detection sensor system for detecting the presence of a vehicle user in vehicle 1, and / or a seat position sensor system for detecting whether the seat position of the vehicle seat, particularly the relaxed position, is in place.

[0050] In the method for operating the storage compartment unit 2, the temperature control unit 3 is controlled in particular in response to sensor data from the vehicle's sensor system 10 and / or information from the central unit 11 outside the vehicle and / or information from the personal communication unit 12 and / or information from the vehicle user's communication with the vehicle's man-machine interface 13, in order to cool the coolable storage compartment A1 and / or heat the heatable storage compartment A2. Furthermore, in particular, the respective lighting units B1 and B2 are activated when their respective predetermined events occur. For example, the respective lighting units B1 and B2 are activated when a predetermined temperature is reached in the storage compartments A1 and A2 to which the respective lighting units B1 and B2 are associated. For example, the vehicle user can also be notified of the arrival of the predetermined temperature via the man-machine interface 13, in particular using audio output or visual output.

[0051] Lighting units B1 and B2 provide vehicle users with visual cues about, for example, the temperature-controlled storage compartments A1 and A2.

[0052] In one possible embodiment of this method, for example, when the presence of a vehicle user is identified in vehicle 1, an ambient temperature within a predetermined temperature range is identified, a predetermined activity of the vehicle user is identified, and a predetermined operating state of vehicle 1 is identified, a coolable storage compartment A1 is cooled and / or a heatable storage compartment A2 is heated. This allows the operation of cooling and / or heating to be directly adapted to, for example, the ambient temperature and / or the activity of the vehicle user. That is, for example, after the vehicle starts moving, or after the charging process of vehicle 1 configured as an electric vehicle has started, if a vehicle user present in vehicle 1 is identified and the ambient temperature exceeds 30°C, the coolable storage compartment A1 can be cooled, and as soon as a predetermined temperature of, for example, 16°C is reached in storage compartment A1, the lighting unit B1 of storage compartment A1 can be activated, which preferably emits blue light. This reminds the vehicle user to take out and use a cooled object O, for example, a face mask, and thereby relax.

[0053] For example, lighting units B1 and B2 can also be used to communicate with the vehicle user. For example, if the ambient temperature is high, i.e., within a predetermined high-temperature range, the lighting unit B1 associated with the coolable storage compartment A1 can be activated, thereby advantageously by emitting blue light and / or by flashing the lighting unit B1 and / or by increasing its brightness, to make the intended offer to the vehicle user to use a cooled object O in the coolable storage compartment A1, such as a face mask and / or eye mask and / or face towel. For example, this can also be provided to the vehicle user, or requested by the vehicle user, via the man-machine interface 13 for communication between the vehicle user and the vehicle 1, particularly acoustically, particularly by voice output. For example, in response to this request from the vehicle user, the corresponding lighting units B1 and B2 are activated. Specifically, a lighting unit B1 associated with a coolable storage compartment A1 is activated when a cooled object O is requested, emitting blue light in particular, and a lighting unit B2 associated with a heatable storage compartment A2 is activated when a heated object O is requested, emitting red light in particular.

Claims

1. A method for operating a storage compartment unit (2) in a vehicle (1), wherein the storage compartment unit (2) comprises a temperature control unit (3), a storage compartment (A1) that can be cooled using the temperature control unit (3), and a storage compartment (A2) that can be heated using the temperature control unit (3), in the method, The temperature control unit (3) is controlled to cool the coolable storage compartment (A1) and / or heat the heatable storage compartment (A2) in response to sensor data from the vehicle's (1) sensor system (10), and / or information from a central unit (11) outside the vehicle, and / or information from a vehicle user's personal communication unit (12), and / or information from communication between the vehicle user and the vehicle's (1) man-machine interface (13), wherein the coolable storage compartment (A1) is cooled and / or the heatable storage compartment (A2) is heated when the presence of the vehicle user is identified in the vehicle (1), an outside air temperature within a predetermined temperature range is identified, a predetermined activity of the vehicle user is identified, and a predetermined operating state of the vehicle (1) is identified.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein each of the two storage compartments (A1, A2) is associated with one lighting unit (B1, B2), the lighting unit (B1) associated with the coolable storage compartment (A1) emits light of a different color than the lighting unit (B2) associated with the heated storage compartment (A2), and each of the lighting units (B1, B2) is activated when a predetermined event occurs.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that each of the aforementioned lighting units (B1, B2) is activated when a predetermined temperature is reached in the storage compartment (A1, A2) to which each of the aforementioned lighting units (B1, B2) is associated.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a face mask and / or eye mask and / or face towel for the vehicle user is cooled using the coolable storage compartment (A1), and / or a scarf and / or blanket and / or face mask and / or face towel for the vehicle user is heated using the heatable storage compartment (A2).

5. A vehicle (1) comprising a storage compartment unit (2) operated by the method described in any one of claims 1 to 4, The storage compartment unit (2) comprises a temperature control unit (3), a storage compartment (A1) that can be cooled using the temperature control unit (3), and a storage compartment (A2) that can be heated using the temperature control unit (3), and the vehicle (1) is connected at least temporarily, at least for data transmission connections, to the sensor system (10) of the vehicle (1), and / or to a central unit (11) outside the vehicle, and / or to the personal communication unit (12) of the vehicle user, and / or to a man-machine interface (13) for communication between the vehicle user and the vehicle (1).

6. The vehicle (1) according to claim 5, wherein one lighting unit (B1, B2) is associated with each of the two storage compartments (A1, A2), and the lighting unit (B1) associated with the coolable storage compartment (A1) emits light of a different color from the lighting unit (B2) associated with the heated storage compartment (A2).

7. The vehicle (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the temperature control unit (3) is formed as a Peltier element and is located between the two storage compartments (A1, A2).

8. The vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the two storage compartments (A1, A2) are arranged to overlap one above the other, with the coolable storage compartment (A1) located below and the heatable storage compartment (A2) located above.

9. The vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that at least one housing (8) of the storage compartment unit (2) is manufactured by an additive manufacturing method.

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