Thermal sensation adjustment system

Abstract

To provide a system for adjusting sensation of warmth that adjusts sensation of warmth for each body part of an occupant, without adding a temperature adjustment device.SOLUTION: A system for adjusting sensation of warmth, which adjusts sensation of warmth of an occupant in a vehicle, comprises: a first air conditioner that blows out air-conditioning air toward a first space; a second air conditioner that blows out air-conditioning air toward a second space; a warmth-sensation detecting part 70 that detects information concerning sensation of warmth for each of a plurality of body parts of the occupant; and a warmth-sensation deviation calculating part 84a that calculates a difference between sensation of warmth for each of the plurality of body parts of the occupant calculated based on the information concerning sensation of warmth detected by the warmth-sensation detecting part and target sensation of warmth for each of the plurality of body parts of the occupant. When there are warmth-sensation deviation parts on the plurality of body parts of the occupant existing in the second space, the first air conditioner blows out air conditioning air toward the warmth-sensation deviation parts so that sensation of warmth in the warmth-sensation deviation parts get close to the target sensation of warmth.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a thermal sensation adjustment system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a vehicle air conditioning system that includes a front seat air conditioning unit that conditions the front seat area in the vehicle interior and a rear seat air conditioning unit that conditions the rear seat area in the vehicle interior (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this vehicle air conditioning system, the front seat air conditioning unit mainly adjusts the temperature in the front seat area in the vehicle interior, and the rear seat air conditioning unit mainly adjusts the temperature in the rear seat area in the vehicle interior, thereby adjusting the thermal sensation of occupants seated in the front and rear seats, respectively. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-193725 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A person has a thermal sensation distribution that indicates the thermal sensation that is felt to be comfortable for each of multiple body parts. The thermal sensation felt to be comfortable for each of the multiple body parts may differ from one another. However, the vehicle air conditioning system described in Patent Document 1 adjusts the thermal sensation of the occupant by adjusting the temperature of the front seat space and the rear seat space without taking the thermal sensation distribution into consideration, making it difficult to adjust the thermal sensation of the occupant by giving different thermal sensations to each body part. In this case, the occupant may experience discomfort in some of their body parts.

[0005] In response to this problem, there is a method of adjusting the thermal sensation of each of the occupant's multiple body parts by adding a temperature control device such as a radiant heater or air scarf to each of the body parts for which the thermal sensation needs to be adjusted. However, adding a temperature control device to each body part for which the thermal sensation needs to be adjusted is not preferable because it requires installation space and increases costs. This was discovered after extensive research by the present inventors.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide a thermal sensation adjustment system that can adjust the thermal sensation for each part of an occupant's body while reducing the number of temperature adjustment devices installed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The invention described in claim 1 is A thermal sensation adjustment system for adjusting the thermal sensation of a vehicle occupant, a first air conditioner (120) that blows conditioned air toward a first space (S1) that is a space to be air-conditioned; a second air conditioner (140) that blows conditioned air toward a second space (S2) that is a space to be air-conditioned and different from the first space; a thermal sensation detection unit (70) that detects information relating to thermal sensation for each of a plurality of body parts of an occupant; a thermal sensation deviation calculation unit (84a) that calculates a difference between the thermal sensation for each of the plurality of body parts of the occupant calculated based on information on the thermal sensation detected by the thermal sensation detection unit and a target thermal sensation for each of the plurality of body parts of the occupant. the first air conditioner has a first space opening (121e, 121f) for blowing conditioned air toward an occupant in the first space, and a second space opening (121h, 121k) that opens at a position different from the first space opening and blows conditioned air toward an occupant in the second space, When there is a thermal sensation deviation part in which the calculated thermal sensation deviates from the target thermal sensation among the multiple body parts of the occupant present in the second space, the first air conditioning device directs air toward the thermal sensation deviation part so that the thermal sensation of the thermal sensation deviation part approaches the target thermal sensation. From the second space opening Blows out air-conditioned air.

[0008] According to this, when there are multiple thermal sensation deviation areas in the body of an occupant present in the second space, the first air conditioning unit can adjust the thermal sensation of the occupant by blowing conditioned air toward the thermal sensation deviation areas. This eliminates the need to add a temperature adjustment unit for each area where the thermal sensation needs to be adjusted. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the thermal sensation for each occupant's body part while reducing the number of installed temperature adjustment units.

[0009] The reference symbols in parentheses attached to each component indicate an example of the correspondence between the component and the specific components described in the embodiments described below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a thermal sensation adjusting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle device and an air conditioning unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a thermal sensation adjusting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the distribution of thermal sensation reference values ​​in the summer default mode in this embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the distribution of thermal sensation reference values ​​in the winter default mode in this embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the distribution of thermal sensation reference values ​​in a relaxation mode in this embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the distribution of thermal sensation reference values ​​in focus mode in this embodiment. [Figure 8] 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the operation of the thermal sensation adjusting system in this embodiment. [Figure 9] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating hypothetical operations for explaining the operation of the thermal sensation adjusting system of the present embodiment. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the distribution of target thermal sensations and the direction of conditioned airflow in each operation mode in this embodiment. [Figure 11]4 is a flowchart showing a control process executed by a temperature adjusting unit for a separated portion in the present embodiment. [Figure 12] 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the thermal sensation adjusting system of the present embodiment. [Figure 13] 1 is a diagram for explaining how the thermal sensation adjusting system of the present embodiment adjusts the thermal sensation for each of a plurality of body parts of an occupant. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a thermal sensation adjusting system according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 13. A thermal sensation adjustment system of this embodiment adjusts the thermal sensation of a front seat occupant 3 seated in a front seat 2 and a rear seat occupant 5 seated in a rear seat 4 in the passenger compartment of a vehicle 1 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the thermal sensation adjustment system mainly includes an air conditioning unit 10 that adjusts the temperature of the space in the vehicle 1 in which the front seat occupant 3 and the rear seat occupant 5 are present, thereby adjusting the thermal sensation of the front seat occupant 3 and the rear seat occupant 5. The thermal sensation adjustment system also includes a seat air conditioning unit 40 that adjusts the thermal sensation of the rear seat occupant 5, an IR sensor 70 that detects the thermal sensation of the rear seat occupant 5, and an air conditioning ECU 80 (described later) that controls various components of the thermal sensation adjustment system.

[0012] In a vehicle 1 equipped with the thermal sensation adjustment system of this embodiment, the interior space of the vehicle is divided into a first space S1 and a second space S2 by a space partition wall 6. The first space S1 is a target space for air conditioning within the vehicle interior, and is a space where the front seats 2 are located. The second space S2 is a target space for air conditioning within the vehicle interior, and is a space where the rear seats 4 are located.

[0013] Although not shown, the first space S1 has front seats 2, that is, a driver's seat and a passenger seat, arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction. Also, although not shown, the second space S2 has two rear seats 4 arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the front seat 2 is a driver's seat, but the front seat 2 may be replaced with a passenger seat. Also, in this embodiment, an example will be described in which the front seat 2 is a rear seat 4 on one side of two rear seats 4, but the front seat 2 may be replaced with a rear seat 4 on the other side. And, hereinafter, up, down, left, and right refer to up, down, left, and right in the vehicle 1.

[0014] The air conditioning unit 10 mainly adjusts the temperature inside the vehicle cabin by blowing temperature-adjusted conditioned air into the vehicle cabin, and also adjusts the thermal sensation of the front seat occupants 3 and the rear seat occupants 5 by blowing conditioned air toward them. As shown in FIG. 2 , the air conditioning unit 10 includes a refrigeration cycle device 110, a first air conditioner 120, a second air conditioner 140, etc.

[0015] The refrigeration cycle device 110 has a compressor 111 that compresses a refrigerant, a radiator 112 that radiates heat from the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 111, and a first expansion valve 113 and a second expansion valve 114 that reduce the pressure of the refrigerant that flows out from the radiator 112. The refrigeration cycle device 110 also has a first evaporator 115 that evaporates the refrigerant that flows out from the first expansion valve 113, and a second evaporator 116 that evaporates the refrigerant that flows out from the second expansion valve 114.

[0016] The compressor 111 draws in, compresses, and discharges refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle device 110. The compressor 111 is configured as an electric compressor having an electric motor that rotates a fixed-displacement compression mechanism with a fixed discharge capacity using the electric motor. The rotation speed (i.e., refrigerant discharge capacity) of the compressor 111 is controlled by a control signal output from an air conditioner ECU 80, which will be described later. A radiator 112 is connected to the discharge port of the compressor 111.

[0017] The radiator 112 is a heat exchanger that cools the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 111 and outside air. A first expansion valve 113 and a second expansion valve 114 are connected to the refrigerant outlet side of the radiator 112.

[0018] The first expansion valve 113 and the second expansion valve 114 are pressure reducers that reduce the pressure and expand the refrigerant that has flowed out from the radiator 112. The operations of the first expansion valve 113 and the second expansion valve 114 are controlled by control signals output from the air conditioner ECU 80. A first evaporator 115 is connected to the refrigerant outlet side of the first expansion valve 113. A second evaporator 116 is connected to the refrigerant outlet side of the second expansion valve 114.

[0019] The first evaporator 115 and the second evaporator 116 are heat exchangers for absorbing heat, which evaporate the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the refrigerant decompressed and expanded by the first expansion valve 113 and the second expansion valve 114, respectively, and the air flowing inside the air conditioning unit 10. The refrigerant outlet side of the first evaporator 115 and the refrigerant outlet side of the second evaporator 116 are connected to the refrigerant suction side of the compressor 111.

[0020] Next, the first air conditioner 120 and the second air conditioner 140 will be described. The first air conditioner 120 is an air conditioner that mainly conditions the first space S1 by blowing conditioned air toward the first space S1. As will be described later, the first air conditioner 120 has a function of adjusting the thermal sensation of the rear seat passengers 5 in the second space S2 when the second air conditioner 140 conditions the second space S2. The first air conditioner 120 is disposed inside a dashboard (not shown).

[0021] The second air conditioner 140 is an air conditioner that conditions the second space S2 by blowing conditioned air toward the second space S2. The second air conditioner 140 is disposed under the floor of the vehicle 1 behind the rear seat 4.

[0022] The first air conditioner 120, which conditions the first space S1 in which the front seats 2 are located, is configured to be able to exhibit a greater air conditioning capacity than the second air conditioner 140, which conditions the second space S2 in which the rear seats 4 are located. In other words, the first air conditioner 120 is configured to be able to blow out a greater volume of conditioned air than the volume of conditioned air blown out by the second air conditioner 140. This is because the first space S1 in which the front seats 2 are located is susceptible to the effects of radiant heat from sunlight coming through the windshield, and heat is also easily lost from the interior of the vehicle via the windshield, so the air conditioner that conditions the first space S1 is required to have a relatively greater air conditioning capacity.

[0023] The first air conditioner 120 includes a first air conditioning case 121, a first inside / outside air switching door 122, a first centrifugal fan 123, a first front seat heater core 124, a first front seat air mix door 125, a first front seat face door 126, a first front seat foot door 127, and a defroster door 128. The first air conditioner 120 also includes a first rear seat heater core 129, a first rear seat air mix door 130, a first rear seat face door 131, and a first rear seat foot door 132. The first air conditioner 120 also includes a first front seat face duct 133, a first front seat foot duct 134, a defroster duct 135, a first rear seat face duct 136, a first rear seat foot duct 137, and an air direction adjustment plate 138.

[0024] The first air conditioner 120 also includes a first inside / outside air actuator 122a, a first fan actuator 123a, a first front seat air mix actuator 125a, and a first front seat mode actuator 126a. The first air conditioner 120 also includes a first rear seat air mix actuator 130a, a first rear seat mode actuator 131a, and a wind direction actuator 138a.

[0025] The first air conditioning case 121 surrounds a first ventilation passage 121a through which temperature-controlled air blown into the vehicle cabin passes. The first inside / outside air switching door 122 is a member that adjusts the opening area of ​​the first inside air inlet 121b and the opening area of ​​the first outside air inlet 121c. The first inside / outside air switching door 122 rotates so that the more one opening of the first inside air inlet 121b and the first outside air inlet 121c is opened, the more the other opening is closed. This allows the first inside / outside air switching door 122 to adjust the ratio between the volume of inside air and the volume of outside air introduced into the first ventilation passage 121a (i.e., the inside / outside air ratio). Here, the inside air refers to the air inside the vehicle cabin, and the outside air refers to the air outside the vehicle cabin.

[0026] The first inside / outside air actuator 122a is an actuator that drives the first inside / outside air switching door 122, and is controlled by the air conditioner ECU 80 as shown in FIG.

[0027] When first inside air inlet 121b is open, first centrifugal fan 123 rotates to introduce inside air from first inside air inlet 121b into first ventilation passage 121a and send the introduced air to the downstream side of the air flow of first centrifugal fan 123 within first ventilation passage 121a. When first outside air inlet 121c is open, first centrifugal fan 123 rotates to introduce outside air from first outside air inlet 121c into first ventilation passage 121a and send the introduced air to the downstream side of the air flow of first centrifugal fan 123 within first ventilation passage 121a.

[0028] First fan actuator 123a is an actuator that drives first centrifugal fan 123, and is controlled by air conditioner ECU 80 as shown in Fig. 3. The downstream side of the air flow in first ventilation passage 121a from first centrifugal fan 123 is partitioned by ventilation passage partition wall 121d into front seat first ventilation passage 121aa and rear seat first ventilation passage 121ab. A first evaporator 115 is disposed downstream of first centrifugal fan 123 in first ventilation passage 121a, straddling front seat first ventilation passage 121aa and rear seat first ventilation passage 121ab.

[0029] The first evaporator 115 cools the air sent from the first centrifugal fan 123. The first evaporator 115, together with the compressor 111, the radiator 112, the first expansion valve 113, and the like, constitutes a refrigeration cycle. When the refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration cycle passes through the first evaporator 115, heat exchange occurs between the refrigerant and the air. This heat exchange causes the refrigerant to evaporate and cool the air. A first front seat heater core 124 is disposed downstream of the first evaporator 115 in the air flow direction in the front seat first ventilation duct 121aa. Furthermore, a first rear seat heater core 129 is disposed downstream of the first evaporator 115 in the air flow direction in the rear seat first ventilation duct 121ab.

[0030] The first front seat heater core 124 is disposed in the front seat first ventilation duct 121aa, downstream in the air flow direction of the first evaporator 115. Engine coolant flows through the first front seat heater core 124. The first front seat heater core 124 heats the air that has passed through the first evaporator 115 by exchanging heat with the engine coolant. The first front seat heater core 124 may be replaced with an electric heater that heats the air that has passed through the first evaporator 115. A first front seat air mix door 125 is provided upstream in the air flow direction of the first front seat heater core 124.

[0031] The first front seat air mix door 125 is provided between the first evaporator 115 and the first front seat heater core 124. The first front seat air mix door 125 is a door that adjusts the ratio between the amount of cool air that passes through the first evaporator 115 and then bypasses the first front seat heater core 124, and the amount of warm air that passes through the first evaporator 115 and then passes through the first front seat heater core 124. In other words, the first front seat air mix door 125 adjusts the air mix ratio.

[0032] The first front seat air mix actuator 125a is an actuator that drives the first front seat air mix door 125, and is controlled by the air conditioner ECU 80 as shown in FIG.

[0033] The first rear seat heater core 129 has a basic structure similar to that of the first front seat heater core 124, and therefore its description will be omitted. Also, the first rear seat air mix door 130 has a basic structure similar to that of the first front seat air mix door 125, and therefore its description will be omitted.

[0034] 2, first air-conditioning case 121 has a plurality of openings formed downstream in the air flow direction of front seat first ventilation passage 121aa for sending conditioned air from front seat first ventilation passage 121aa to first space S1. Specifically, first air-conditioning case 121 has a first front seat face opening 121e, a first front seat foot opening 121f, and a defroster opening 121g formed downstream in the air flow direction of front seat first ventilation passage 121aa. The conditioned air flows from an air mix space where air that bypasses first front seat heater core 124 and air that passes through first front seat heater core 124 are mixed to first front seat face opening 121e, first front seat foot opening 121f, and defroster opening 121g.

[0035] Furthermore, a first rear seat face opening 121h and a first rear seat foot opening 121k for blowing conditioned air from the rear seat first ventilation passage 121ab to the second space S2 are formed downstream in the air flow direction of the rear seat first ventilation passage 121ab in the first air-conditioning case 121. The conditioned air flows into the first rear seat face opening 121h and the first rear seat foot opening 121k from an air mix space in the rear seat first ventilation passage 121ab where air that has bypassed the first rear seat heater core 129 and air that has passed through the first rear seat heater core 129 are mixed.

[0036] The first front seat face opening 121e, the first front seat foot opening 121f, and the defroster opening 121g are provided with front seat mode switching doors for opening and closing the respective openings. The front seat mode switching doors are composed of a first front seat face door 126, a first front seat foot door 127, and a defroster door 128. The first front seat face door 126 opens and closes the first front seat face opening 121e. The first front seat foot door 127 opens and closes the first front seat foot opening 121f. The defroster door 128 opens and closes the defroster opening 121g.

[0037] The first front seat mode actuator 126a is an actuator that drives the first front seat face door 126, the first front seat foot door 127, and the defroster door 128, and is controlled by the air conditioner ECU 80 as shown in Fig. 3. The first front seat mode actuator 126a controls the first front seat air outlet mode of the first air conditioner 120. The first front seat air outlet mode includes, for example, a first front seat face mode, a first front seat foot mode, and a defroster mode.

[0038] The first front seat face mode is a blowing mode in which the first front seat face door 126 opens and the first front seat foot door 127 and the defroster door 128 close. The first front seat foot mode is a blowing mode in which the first front seat foot door 127 opens and the first front seat face door 126 and the defroster door 128 close. The defroster mode is a blowing mode in which the defroster door 128 opens and the first front seat face door 126 and the first front seat foot door 127 close.

[0039] One end of first front seat face duct 133 is connected to first front seat face opening 121e, and the other end, first front seat face outlet 133a, opens at a position on the dashboard facing the seat back of front seat 2, as shown in Fig. 1. Air that passes through first front seat face opening 121e from front seat first ventilation duct 121aa passes through first front seat face duct 133 and is then blown out from first front seat face outlet 133a into first space S1. The air blown out from first front seat face outlet 133a flows mainly toward or around the upper body of front seat occupant 3 seated in front seat 2.

[0040] One end of first front seat foot duct 134 is connected to first front seat foot opening 121f, and the other end, first front seat foot outlet 134a, opens on the dashboard facing the foot space in front of the seat cushion of front seat 2, as shown in Fig. 1. Air that passes through first front seat foot opening 121f from front seat first ventilation passage 121aa passes through first front seat foot duct 134 and is then blown out from first front seat foot outlet 134a into first space S1. The air blown out from first front seat foot outlet 134a flows toward the left and right lower legs and the surrounding areas of front seat occupant 3 seated in front seat 2.

[0041] One end of defroster duct 135 is connected to defroster opening 121g, and the other end, defroster outlet 135a, opens on the dashboard facing the windshield, as shown in Fig. 1. Air that passes through defroster opening 121g from front seat first air passage 121aa passes through defroster duct 135 and is then blown out from defroster outlet 135a into first space S1. The air blown out from defroster outlet 135a flows toward the windshield or its surroundings.

[0042] The first rear seat face opening 121h and the first rear seat foot opening 121k are provided with rear seat mode switching doors for opening and closing the respective openings. The rear seat mode switching doors are composed of a first rear seat face door 131 and a first rear seat foot door 132. The first rear seat face door 131 opens and closes the first rear seat face opening 121h. The first rear seat foot door 132 opens and closes the first rear seat foot opening 121k.

[0043] The first rear seat mode actuator 131a is an actuator that drives the first rear seat face door 131 and the first rear seat foot door 132, and is controlled by the air conditioner ECU 80 as shown in Fig. 3. The first rear seat mode actuator 131a controls the first rear seat outlet mode of the first air conditioner 120. The first rear seat outlet mode includes, for example, a first rear seat face mode and a first rear seat foot mode.

[0044] The first rear seat face mode is a blowing mode in which the first rear seat face door 131 opens and the first rear seat foot door 132 closes. The first rear seat foot mode is a blowing mode in which the first rear seat foot door 132 opens and the first rear seat face door 131 closes.

[0045] The first rear seat blowing mode can be switched independently of the first front seat blowing mode, that is, the first air conditioner 120 can operate in any combination of one of the three first front seat blowing modes and one of the two first rear seat blowing modes.

[0046] One end of the first rear seat face duct 136 is connected to the first rear seat face opening 121h, and the other end, a first rear seat face outlet 136a, opens at a position on the space partition wall 6 facing the seat back of the rear seat 4, as shown in FIG. 1. Air that passes through the first rear seat face opening 121h from the rear seat first ventilation passage 121ab passes through the first rear seat face duct 136 and is then blown out from the first rear seat face outlet 136a into the second space S2. The air blown out from the first rear seat face outlet 136a flows mainly toward or around the upper body and thighs of the rear seat occupant 5 seated in the rear seat 4.

[0047] One end of the first rear seat foot duct 137 is connected to the first rear seat foot opening 121k, and the other end, the first rear seat foot outlet 137a, opens in the space partition wall 6 facing the foot space in front of the seat cushion of the rear seat 4, as shown in Fig. 1. The air that passes through the first rear seat foot opening 121k from the rear seat first ventilation passage 121ab passes through the first rear seat foot duct 137 and is then blown out from the first rear seat foot outlet 137a into the second space S2. The air blown out from the first rear seat foot outlet 137a flows toward the left and right feet of the rear seat occupant 5 seated in the rear seat 4 and the surrounding areas thereof.

[0048] In this way, first front seat face outlet 133a, first front seat foot outlet 134a, defroster outlet 135a, first rear seat face outlet 136a, and first rear seat foot outlet 137a open at different positions in the vehicle interior.

[0049] The first air conditioner 120 conditions the interior of the vehicle by blowing conditioned air from air outlets that open at different positions, and can also affect the thermal sensation of the body parts of the front seat occupant 3 and the rear seat occupant 5. Specifically, the first air conditioner 120 conditions the first space S1 by blowing conditioned air from the first front seat face air outlet 133a, and can have the greatest effect on the thermal sensation of the upper body parts of the front seat occupant 3. Furthermore, the first air conditioner 120 conditions the first space S1 by blowing conditioned air from the first front seat foot air outlet 134a, and can have the greatest effect on the thermal sensation of the left and right lower legs of the front seat occupant 3.

[0050] The first air conditioner 120 conditions the second space S2 with conditioned air blown out from the first rear seat face outlet 136a, and can have the greatest effect on the thermal sensation of the upper body and thighs of the rear seat occupant 5. The first air conditioner 120 conditions the second space S2 with conditioned air blown out from the first rear seat foot outlet 137a, and can have the greatest effect on the thermal sensation of the left and right feet of the rear seat occupant 5.

[0051] The first air conditioner 120 has a greater air conditioning capacity for conditioning the first space S1 than for conditioning the second space S2. In other words, the first air conditioner 120 is configured so that the volume of conditioned air sent to the first space S1 is greater than the volume of conditioned air sent to the second space S2. Therefore, the first air conditioner 120 mainly conditions the first space S1 within the vehicle cabin. When the second air conditioner 140 conditions the second space S2, the first air conditioner 120 assists the second air conditioner 140 in air conditioning.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 2, an airflow direction adjusting plate 138 is attached to the first rear seat face air outlet 136a. The airflow direction adjusting plate 138 is an airflow direction adjusting unit that adjusts the direction of the conditioned air blown out from the first rear seat face air outlet 136a into the second space S2. The airflow direction adjusting plate 138 changes its position to change the flow direction of the conditioned air blown out from the first rear seat face air outlet 136a to the left-right direction of the vehicle 1 (i.e., the vehicle width direction) and the up-down direction of the vehicle 1. In this way, the airflow direction adjusting plate 138 can change the body parts of the rear seat occupant 5 that are affected by the thermal sensation caused by the conditioned air blown out by the first air conditioner 120. The airflow direction adjusting plate 138 in this embodiment functions as an airflow direction adjusting mechanism.

[0053] The airflow direction actuator 138a is an actuator that drives the airflow direction adjusting plate 138, and is controlled by the air conditioner ECU 80 as shown in FIG.

[0054] The second air conditioner 140 includes a second air conditioning case 141, a second inside / outside air switching door 142, a second centrifugal fan 143, a second heater core 144, a second air mix door 145, a second rear seat face door 146, and a second rear seat foot door 147. The second air conditioner 140 also includes a second rear seat face duct 148 and a second rear seat foot duct 149. The second air conditioner 140 also includes a second inside / outside air actuator 142a, a second fan actuator 143a, a second rear seat air mix actuator 145a, a second rear seat mode actuator 146a, etc.

[0055] The second air conditioning case 141 surrounds a second ventilation passage 141a through which temperature-controlled air passes before being blown into the vehicle cabin. The second air conditioning case 141 has almost the same basic structure as the first air conditioning case 121. However, the second air conditioning case 141 differs from the first air conditioning case 121 in that it does not have a member equivalent to the ventilation passage partition wall 121d in the first air conditioning case 121, and has fewer openings through which conditioned air is blown into the vehicle cabin than the first air conditioning case 121.

[0056] Specifically, the second air conditioning case 141 has a second inside air inlet 141b and a second outside air inlet 141c on the upstream side in the air flow direction. The second air conditioning case 141 also has a second rear seat face opening 141h and a second rear seat foot opening 141k on the downstream side in the air flow direction of the second ventilation passage 141a for blowing conditioned air from the second ventilation passage 141a to the second space S2.

[0057] In the second air conditioning case 141, the ratio between the volume of inside air and the volume of outside air introduced into the second ventilation passage 141a is adjusted by the second inside / outside air switching door 142. The second inside / outside air actuator 142a is an actuator that drives the second inside / outside air switching door 142, and is controlled by the air conditioner ECU 80 as shown in FIG.

[0058] The second rear seat face opening 141h and the second rear seat foot opening 141k are provided with rear seat mode switching doors for opening and closing the respective openings. The rear seat mode switching doors are composed of a second rear seat face door 146 and a second rear seat foot door 147. The second rear seat face door 146 opens and closes the second rear seat face opening 141h. The second rear seat foot door 147 opens and closes the second rear seat foot opening 141k.

[0059] The second rear seat mode actuator 146a is an actuator that drives the second rear seat face door 146 and the second rear seat foot door 147, and is controlled by the air conditioner ECU 80 as shown in FIG. 3. The second rear seat mode actuator 146a controls the second rear seat outlet mode of the second air conditioner 140. The second rear seat outlet mode includes, for example, a second rear seat face mode and a second rear seat foot mode.

[0060] The second rear seat face mode is a blowing mode in which the second rear seat face door 146 opens and the second rear seat foot door 147 closes. The second rear seat foot mode is a blowing mode in which the second rear seat foot door 147 opens and the second rear seat face door 146 closes. The second rear seat blowing mode can be switched independently of the first front seat blowing mode and the first rear seat blowing mode.

[0061] The second air conditioning case 141 also houses a second centrifugal fan 143, a second heater core 144, and a second air mix door 145. The second centrifugal fan 143 has the same basic structure as the first centrifugal fan 123. The second heater core 144 has the same basic structure as the first front seat heater core 124. The second air mix door 145 has the same basic structure as the first front seat air mix door 125. Therefore, detailed descriptions of the second centrifugal fan 143, the second heater core 144, and the second air mix door 145 will be omitted.

[0062] The second fan actuator 143a is an actuator that drives the second centrifugal fan 143, and is controlled by the air conditioner ECU 80 as shown in Fig. 3. The second rear seat air mix actuator 145a is an actuator that drives the second air mix door 145, and is controlled by the air conditioner ECU 80 as shown in Fig. 3.

[0063] The second ventilation passage 141a allows conditioned air to flow from an air mix space where air that has bypassed the second heater core 144 and air that has passed through the second heater core 144 are mixed to a second rear seat face opening 141h and a second rear seat foot opening 141k.

[0064] One end of the second rear seat face duct 148 is connected to the second rear seat face opening 141h, and the other end, as shown in Fig. 1, has two second rear seat face outlets 148a that open in a position facing the rear seat 4 on the ceiling that forms the second space S2. The air that passes through the second ventilation passage 141a and the second rear seat face opening 141h passes through the second rear seat face duct 148 and is then blown out from the second rear seat face outlet 148a into the second space S2. The air blown out from the second rear seat face outlet 148a flows mainly toward or around the upper body of the rear seat occupant 5 seated in the rear seat 4.

[0065] One end of the second rear seat foot duct 149 is connected to the second rear seat foot opening 141k, and the other end, the second rear seat foot outlet 149a, opens to face the foot space below the seat cushion of the rear seat 4 on the floor that forms the second space S2, as shown in Fig. 1. The air that passes through the second rear seat foot opening 141k from the second ventilation passage 141a passes through the second rear seat foot duct 149 and is then blown out from the second rear seat foot outlet 149a into the second space S2. The air blown out from the second rear seat foot outlet 149a flows toward the left and right feet of the rear seat occupant 5 seated in the rear seat 4 and the surrounding areas thereof.

[0066] Next, the seat air-conditioning device 40 will be described. The seat air-conditioning device 40 is attached to the rear seat 4 and is a temperature control device that adjusts the thermal sensation of the rear seat occupant 5 by cooling and heating multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5 seated in the rear seat 4. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the seat air-conditioning device 40 has a back ventilation duct 41, a back ventilation port 41a, a back fan 42, a back fan actuator 42a, a seat ventilation duct 43, a seat surface ventilation port 43a, a seat fan 44, a seat fan actuator 44a, a neck heater 45, a back heater 46, and a thigh heater 47.

[0067] The rear ventilation duct 41 is an air flow path provided inside the seat back of the rear seat 4. One side of the rear ventilation duct 41 is connected to the rear ventilation port 41a, and the other side is connected to the space on the rear side of the seat back of the rear seat 4. The rear ventilation duct 41 also houses a rear fan 42.

[0068] The rear ventilation opening 41a is provided on the front side of the seat back, approximately in the vertical center of the seat back of the rear seat 4. In other words, the rear ventilation opening 41a is provided at a position on the seat back that is expected to face the back of the rear seat occupant 5 when the rear seat occupant 5 is seated in the rear seat 4.

[0069] The back fan 42 is an electric fan that generates an airflow in the back ventilation passage 41 and blows the air drawn in through the back ventilation opening 41a into the space behind the seat back of the rear seat 4. The back fan actuator 42a is an actuator that drives the back fan 42, and is controlled by the air conditioner ECU 80 as shown in FIG.

[0070] The seat ventilation duct 43 is an air flow path provided inside the seat cushion of the rear seat 4. One side of the seat ventilation duct 43 is connected to the seat surface ventilation opening 43a, and the other side is connected to the space below the seat cushion of the rear seat 4. The seat ventilation duct 43 also houses a seat fan 44.

[0071] The rear ventilation opening 41a is provided on the upper surface of the seat cushion of the rear seat 4, approximately in the center in the front-to-rear direction of the seat cushion. In other words, the rear ventilation opening 41a is provided in a position on the seat cushion that is expected to face the buttocks and the areas around the left and right thighs of the rear seat occupant 5 when the rear seat occupant 5 is seated in the rear seat 4.

[0072] The seat fan 44 is an electric fan that generates an airflow in the seat ventilation duct 43 and blows the air drawn in through the seat surface ventilation opening 43a into the space below the seat cushion of the rear seat 4. The seat fan actuator 44a is an actuator that drives the seat fan 44, and is controlled by the air conditioner ECU 80 as shown in FIG.

[0073] The neck heater 45 is an electric heater provided on the front side of the seat back at the top in the vertical direction of the seat back of the rear seat 4.

[0074] The back heater 46 is an electric heater provided on the front side of the seat back, approximately in the center in the vertical direction of the seat back of the rear seat 4. The back heater 46 is provided around the rear ventilation opening 41a.

[0075] Thigh heater 47 is an electric heater provided on the upper surface side of the seat cushion of rear seat 4. Thigh heater 47 is provided around seat surface ventilation opening 43a.

[0076] The heat generation amounts of the neck heater 45, the back heater 46, and the thigh heater 47 are controlled by control signals output from the air conditioner ECU 80.

[0077] When the back fan 42 is driven, the seat air conditioner 40 draws in air from the rear ventilation opening 41a around the back of the rear seat occupant 5 seated in the rear seat 4. This cools mainly the back of the rear seat occupant 5 out of multiple body parts.

[0078] Furthermore, when the seat fan 44 is driven, the seat air conditioner 40 draws in air around the buttocks and thighs of the rear seat occupant 5 seated in the rear seat 4 through the seat ventilation openings 43a. As a result, of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5, mainly the buttocks and thighs are cooled.

[0079] The seat air-conditioning unit 40 can change the thermal sensation it provides to the rear seat occupant 5 according to the rotation speeds of the back fan 42 and the seat fan 44. Specifically, the seat air-conditioning unit 40 can provide greater cooling to the back of the rear seat occupant 5 the higher the rotation speed of the back fan 42. Furthermore, the seat air-conditioning unit 40 can provide greater cooling to the buttocks and thighs of the rear seat occupant 5 the higher the rotation speed of the seat fan 44.

[0080] Furthermore, in the seat air-conditioning unit 40, when the neck heater 45 starts operating, the neck heater 45 generates heat. As a result, of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5, mainly the neck is warmed. In the seat air-conditioning unit 40, when the back heater 46 starts operating, the back heater 46 generates heat. As a result, of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5, mainly the back is warmed. In the seat air-conditioning unit 40, when the thigh heater 47 starts operating, the thigh heater 47 generates heat. As a result, of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5, mainly the buttocks and thighs are heated.

[0081] The seat air-conditioning system 40 can change the effect of the thermal sensation given to the rear seat occupant 5 according to the heat output of each of the neck heater 45, the back heater 46, and the thigh heater 47. Specifically, the seat air-conditioning system 40 can provide more warmth to the neck of the rear seat occupant 5 the more the heat output of the neck heater 45 is increased. The seat air-conditioning system 40 can provide more warmth to the back of the rear seat occupant 5 the more the heat output of the back heater 46 is increased. And the seat air-conditioning system 40 can provide more warmth to the buttocks and thighs of the rear seat occupant 5 the more the heat output of the thigh heater 47 is increased.

[0082] In addition, the seat air conditioning unit 40 may be configured such that the back ventilation duct 41, back fan 42, seat ventilation duct 43, seat fan 44, neck heater 45, back heater 46, and thigh heater 47 are replaced with a device including a Peltier element that heats and cools multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5.

[0083] The IR sensor 70 is a sensor that captures infrared rays emitted from within a predetermined imaging range and generates and outputs an image that represents the surface temperature at each position within the imaging range as pixel values ​​based on the captured infrared rays. The IR sensor 70 is composed of an optical sensor that emits and receives infrared rays, a microcomputer that includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and other storage units, and its peripheral circuits. The imaging range of the IR sensor 70 includes the rear seat passenger 5 and the area around the rear seat passenger 5 within the vehicle cabin. The IR sensor 70 detects information related to the thermal sensation of the rear seat passenger 5 based on image data generated by capturing an image of the rear seat passenger 5 and the area around the rear seat passenger 5.

[0084] The IR sensor 70 is also connected to the air conditioner ECU 80 and is configured to be able to acquire information relating to the operation of the air conditioning unit 10 from the air conditioner ECU 80. The information relating to the operation of the air conditioning unit 10 includes, for example, the rotation speed of the compressor 111, the rotation speed of the first centrifugal fan 123, the rotation speed of the second centrifugal fan 143, and the target blowing temperature of the conditioned air blown out by the air conditioning unit 10.

[0085] The IR sensor 70 estimates the thermal sensation of each of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5 by performing various calculations and processing based on the temperature information included in the generated image and a control map stored in the memory unit. The control map is determined in advance based on the predicted thermal sensation of each of the body parts of the rear seat occupant 5, the temperature information included in the generated image, and information related to the operation of the air conditioning unit 10, and can be obtained from the results of previous experiments, etc. The IR sensor 70 detects the ambient temperature of the rear seat occupant 5, and outputs the thermal sensation of each of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5 estimated using the detected ambient temperature to the air conditioning ECU 80 as information on the current thermal sensation of each of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5. The IR sensor 70 in this embodiment functions as a thermal sensation detection unit.

[0086] The air conditioner ECU 80 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and its peripheral circuits. The air conditioner ECU 80 performs various calculations and processes based on the air conditioning control program stored in the ROM, and controls the operation of various control target devices connected to its output side. The ROM and RAM of the air conditioner ECU 80 are composed of non-transitory physical storage media.

[0087] 3, the thermal sensation adjustment system includes a first interior air temperature sensor 71, a second interior air temperature sensor 72, an exterior air temperature sensor 73, a solar radiation sensor 74, a first setting unit 75, and a second setting unit 76. The first interior air temperature sensor 71 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the temperature of air in a first space S1 inside the vehicle cabin (hereinafter referred to as the first interior air temperature FrTr) to the air conditioner ECU 80. The second interior air temperature sensor 72 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the temperature of air in a second space S2 inside the vehicle cabin (hereinafter referred to as the second interior air temperature RrTr) to the air conditioner ECU 80. The exterior air temperature sensor 73 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the temperature of air outside the vehicle cabin (hereinafter referred to as the exterior air temperature Tam) to the air conditioner ECU 80. The solar radiation sensor 74 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the amount of solar radiation Ts entering the vehicle cabin to the air conditioner ECU 80.

[0088] The first setting unit 75 is a device that accepts input operations from the front seat occupants 3. Specifically, the first setting unit 75 is disposed near an instrument panel (not shown) in the first space S1, and has various operation switches that can be individually operated by the front seat occupants 3. The first setting unit 75 outputs information input by operations by the front seat occupants 3 to the air conditioning ECU 80.

[0089] The various operation switches provided in the first setting unit 75 include, for example, an air conditioning power switch that sets the air conditioning unit 10 to start or stop operation, and an auto switch that sets or cancels automatic control operation of the air conditioning unit 10. Other operation switches include temperature setting switches that individually set the first target temperature FrTset for the first space S1 and the second target temperature RrTset for the second space S2 in the vehicle cabin, a mode selection switch that selects the operation mode of the air conditioning unit 10, etc.

[0090] The second setting unit 76 is a device that receives input operations from the rear seat passengers 5. Specifically, the second setting unit 76 is disposed in a center console (not shown) provided between the two rear seats 4 in the second space S2, and has various operation switches that can be operated individually by each of the rear seat passengers 5. The second setting unit 76 outputs information input by operations by the rear seat passengers 5 to the air conditioning ECU 80.

[0091] The various operation switches provided in the second setting unit 76 include, for example, an air conditioning power switch that sets the air conditioning unit 10 to start or stop operation, and an auto switch that sets or cancels automatic control operation of the air conditioning unit 10. Further, the various operation switches include a temperature setting switch that sets a second target temperature RrTset for the second space S2 in the vehicle cabin, and a mode selection switch that selects the operation mode of the air conditioning unit 10.

[0092] Further, the various operation switches include a correction switch that sets the target thermal sensation for the rear seat occupant 5, and a seat air conditioning power switch that sets the start or stop of operation of the seat air conditioning unit 40. Further, the various operation switches include an auto switch that sets or cancels the automatic control operation of the seat air conditioning unit 40, a temperature setting switch that sets the seat target temperature STset for the rear seat 4, etc.

[0093] The operations of starting or stopping the operation of the air conditioning unit 10, setting or canceling automatic control operation, selecting the operation mode, and setting the second target temperature RrTset can be performed by either the first setting unit 75 or the second setting unit 76. In contrast, the operation of setting the first target temperature FrTset for the first space S1 cannot be performed by the second setting unit 76, but can be performed only by the first setting unit 75. Furthermore, the operations of setting the target thermal sensation for the rear seat occupant 5, starting or stopping the operation of the seat air conditioning unit 40, setting or canceling automatic control operation, and setting the seat target temperature STset cannot be performed by the first setting unit 75, but can be performed only by the second setting unit 76.

[0094] The air conditioner ECU 80 can switch the operation of the thermal sensation adjustment system between different driving modes based on the operation of the mode selection switch of the first setting unit 75 and the operation of the mode selection switch of the second setting unit 76. Specifically, the air conditioner ECU 80 can switch the driving mode between a default mode, a relax mode, and a focus mode based on the operation of the first setting unit 75 and the second setting unit 76. Furthermore, when the default mode is set based on the operation of the first setting unit 75 and the second setting unit 76, the air conditioner ECU 80 sets the driving mode to either the summer default mode or the winter default mode based on the external environment.

[0095] The summer default mode is a mode used mainly in the summer when the temperature is high, and is a mode for cooling the vehicle interior. As will be described later, in the summer default mode, the thermal sensation adjustment system cools the entire second space S2 and cools the body parts of the rear seat passenger 5 so that the thermal sensation of the rear seat passenger 5 approaches the target thermal sensation.

[0096] The winter default mode is a mode used mainly in winter when the temperature is low, and is a mode for heating the vehicle interior. As will be described later, in the winter default mode, the thermal sensation adjustment system heats the entire second space S2 and heats the body parts of the rear seat passenger 5 so that the thermal sensation of the rear seat passenger 5 approaches the target thermal sensation.

[0097] The relaxation mode is a mode for calming the mind of the rear seat passenger 5. As will be described later, in the relaxation mode, the thermal sensation adjustment system air-conditions the entire second space S2 and adjusts the temperature of the body parts of the rear seat passenger 5 so that the thermal sensation of the rear seat passenger 5 approaches a target thermal sensation, in order to put the rear seat passenger 5 in a relaxed state.

[0098] The focus mode is a mode for invigorating the mind of the rear seat passenger 5. As will be described later, in the focus mode, the thermal sensation adjustment system air-conditions the entire second space S2 and adjusts the temperature of the body parts of the rear seat passenger 5 so that the thermal sensation of the rear seat passenger 5 approaches a target thermal sensation, in order to improve the concentration of the rear seat passenger 5.

[0099] When the driving mode is set to one of the summer default mode, winter default mode, relax mode, and focus mode, the air conditioner ECU 80 controls various components of the thermal sensation adjustment system so that the thermal sensation of the rear seat passenger 5 approaches the target thermal sensation. The target thermal sensation is data representing multiple target values ​​of thermal sensation for multiple body parts of the rear seat passenger 5.

[0100] Each driving mode has a different reference temperature distribution as shown in Figures 4 to 7. When the rear seat occupant 5 is vertically divided into four areas, head area A1, chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4, as shown in Figure 1, the reference temperature distribution is set in advance in the air conditioning ECU 80 for each of these areas.

[0101] The head area A1 is a region of the rear seat occupant 5 that includes the head and neck among the multiple body parts. The chest area A2 is a region of the rear seat occupant 5 that includes the chest and torso among the multiple body parts. The thigh area A3 is a region of the rear seat occupant 5 that includes the thighs among the multiple body parts. The foot area A4 is a region of the rear seat occupant 5 that includes the lower legs and toes among the multiple body parts.

[0102] Here, among the thermal sensations felt by a person, a thermal sensation that feels very cold is given a value of "-5," a thermal sensation that feels cold is given a value of "-4," a thermal sensation that feels slightly cold is given a value of "-3," a thermal sensation that feels cool is given a value of "-2," and a thermal sensation that feels slightly cool is given a value of "-1."Furthermore, among the thermal sensations felt by a person, a thermal sensation that feels very hot is given a value of "+5," a thermal sensation that feels hot is given a value of "+4," a thermal sensation that feels slightly hot is given a value of "+3," a thermal sensation that feels warm is given a value of "+2," and a thermal sensation that feels slightly warm is given a value of "+1."Furthermore, a thermal sensation that feels neither warm nor cool is given a value of "0."

[0103] The thermal sensation distribution that serves as the reference for each driving mode is set to a value within the range of "-2" to "+2" that is the thermal sensation value that the rear seat passenger 5 tends to feel comfortable in each of the head area A1, chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4. Hereinafter, the reference value of the thermal sensation that the rear seat passenger 5 generally feels comfortable in each area will also be referred to as the thermal sensation reference value.

[0104] The warmer the thermal sensation that the rear seat passenger 5 feels comfortable in the body part corresponding to each area, the larger the thermal sensation reference value. Conversely, the cooler the thermal sensation that the rear seat passenger 5 feels comfortable in the body part corresponding to each area, the smaller the thermal sensation reference value. In Figures 4 to 7, the ranges indicating the thermal sensation reference value in each area are hatched with dotted patterns.

[0105] The distribution of the thermal sensation reference values ​​for each driving mode is created as a distribution of thermal sensation that is assumed to provide a comfortable feeling to the rear seat passenger 5 in that driving mode. These distributions of thermal sensation reference values ​​are determined in advance through experiments to satisfy an unspecified number of passengers on average. By creating the distribution of thermal sensation reference values ​​for a certain mode, if the distribution is realized, each of the body parts corresponding to each area of ​​the rear seat passenger 5 will likely feel comfortable.

[0106] Specifically, the thermal sensation reference value in the summer default mode is set so that the rear seat occupant 5 can feel a cool thermal sensation in all of the head area A1, chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4, as shown in Fig. 4. The thermal sensation reference value in the summer default mode is set in the range of "-2 to -1" for the head area A1, which is cooler than the other areas, and in the range of "-1 to 0" for the other areas, chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4, which are higher than the value for the head area A1.

[0107] The reason for setting the distribution of the thermal sensation reference values ​​in this manner is to improve the comfort of the rear seat occupant 5 by keeping the head cool and the feet warm, i.e., by implementing a so-called cool head, warm feet. Also, because the temperature of the air in the relatively upper part of the vehicle cabin tends to increase due to radiant heat from the windows heated by sunlight, it is necessary to provide a relatively cool thermal sensation to the relatively upper parts of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5.

[0108] The thermal sensation reference value for the summer default mode set in this way is generally a thermal sensation distribution that makes a person feel comfortable when the vehicle interior is cooled.

[0109] As shown in Fig. 5, the thermal sensation reference value in the winter default mode is set so that the rear seat occupant 5 feels a warm sensation in all of the head area A1, chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4. The thermal sensation reference value in the winter default mode is set in the range of "0 to +1" for the head area A1, chest area A2, and thigh area A3. The thermal sensation reference value in the winter default mode is set in the range of "+1 to +2" for the foot area A4. In this way, the thermal sensation reference value in the winter default mode is set so that the foot area A4 feels a warmer sensation than other parts of the body.

[0110] The reason for setting the distribution of the thermal sensation reference values ​​in this manner is to improve the comfort of the rear seat passengers 5 by keeping their heads cool and their feet warm, a so-called "cool head, warm feet" system, as in the summer default mode. Also, this is to avoid discomfort in the heads of the rear seat passengers 5 even when the temperature around the heads of the rear seat passengers 5 rises due to the temperature of the air relatively higher in the vehicle cabin being increased by heating.

[0111] The thermal sensation reference value for the winter default mode set in this way is generally a thermal sensation distribution that makes a person feel comfortable when heating the interior of a vehicle.

[0112] The thermal sensation reference value in the relaxation mode is set so that the rear seat passenger 5 feels a warm thermal sensation in all of the head area A1, chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4, as shown in Fig. 6. The thermal sensation reference value in the relaxation mode is the same value in all of the head area A1, chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4, and is set in the range of "+1 to +2."

[0113] As shown in Fig. 7, the thermal sensation reference value in the focus mode is set so that the rear seat passenger 5 experiences a cool thermal sensation in the head area A1 and chest area A2, and a warm thermal sensation in the thigh area A3 and foot area A4. The thermal sensation reference value in the focus mode is set so that the thermal sensation value increases in the order of the head area A1, chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4. Specifically, the thermal sensation reference value in the focus mode is set in the range of "-2 to -1" for the head area A1, "-1 to 0" for the chest area A2, "0 to +1" for the thigh area A3, and "+1 to +2" for the foot area A4.

[0114] In this way, the thermal sensation reference value for each driving mode is individually set to a value that makes the parts corresponding to the head area A1, chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4 feel comfortable. The thermal sensation that makes the rear seat occupant 5 feel comfortable in the head area A1, chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4 varies depending on the external environment and the mental state that the rear seat occupant 5 desires. The thermal sensation reference value for each driving mode in this embodiment is individually set to a value that makes the parts corresponding to the head area A1, chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4 feel comfortable, which varies depending on the external environment and the mental state that the rear seat occupant 5 desires.

[0115] Furthermore, by operating the correction switch, the target thermal sensation value in each operating mode can be corrected from the thermal sensation reference value to a desired value. Specifically, based on the operation of the correction switch, the target thermal sensation value for one or more areas selected from the head area A1, chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4 in each operating mode is individually corrected to the minus or plus side from the thermal sensation reference value.

[0116] With the above-described configuration of the thermal sensation adjustment system, the air conditioning unit 10 and the seat air conditioners 40 are configured to be able to change the thermal sensation for each body part of the rear seat occupant 5 in each driving mode. The first air conditioner 120, the second air conditioner 140 and the seat air conditioner 40 of the air conditioning unit 10 can adjust their outputs independently of each other by the air conditioner ECU 80.

[0117] Furthermore, the air conditioning unit 10 can adjust the temperature and volume of the conditioned air sent into the vehicle cabin by each of the first air conditioner 120 and the second air conditioner 140 using the air conditioning ECU 80, independently of the operation of the seat air conditioner 40. Furthermore, the air conditioning ECU 80 can switch the outlet from which the conditioned air is blown out by changing the air outlet modes of the first air conditioner 120 and the second air conditioner 140.

[0118] Furthermore, the air conditioner ECU 80 can adjust the direction of air blown out from the first rear seat face outlet 136a by controlling the orientation of the air direction adjusting plate 138. Furthermore, the seat air conditioner 40 can adjust the heat output of each of the neck heater 45, the back heater 46, and the thigh heater 47 by the air conditioner ECU 80 independently of the operation of the first air conditioner 120 and the second air conditioner 140. Furthermore, the seat air conditioner 40 can adjust the rotation speed of each of the back fan 42 and the seat fan 44 by the air conditioner ECU 80 independently of the operation of the first air conditioner 120 and the second air conditioner 140.

[0119] This makes it possible to adjust the thermal sensation of the rear seat passenger 5 for each of the body parts so that the thermal sensation of the multiple body parts of the rear seat passenger 5 approaches a target thermal sensation, for example.

[0120] Next, the operation of the thermal sensation adjustment system controlled by the air conditioner ECU 80 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 13. As shown in Figure 8, the air conditioner ECU 80 has a first air conditioning control unit 81, a second air conditioning control unit 82, a target setting unit 83, and a deviation part temperature adjustment unit 84. When an auto switch that starts automatic control operation of the air conditioning unit 10 is turned on, the air conditioner ECU 80 executes an air conditioning control program to function as the first air conditioning control unit 81, the second air conditioning control unit 82, the target setting unit 83, and the deviation part temperature adjustment unit 84. Alternatively, the air conditioner ECU 80 may have a plurality of circuit modules that correspond one-to-one to the first air conditioning control unit 81, the second air conditioning control unit 82, the target setting unit 83, and the deviation part temperature adjustment unit 84.

[0121] Below, we will explain individually the functions of the first air conditioning control unit 81, the second air conditioning control unit 82, the target setting unit 83, and the deviation area temperature adjustment unit 84. First, we will explain the first air conditioning control unit 81. The first air conditioning control unit 81 calculates the target temperature of the conditioned air blown out by the first air conditioner 120 toward the first space S1 when the thermal sensation adjustment system adjusts the thermal sensation of the front seat occupant 3 present in the first space S1.

[0122] The first air conditioning control unit 81 calculates a first target blowing temperature FrTAO of the conditioned air blown out by the first air conditioner 120 into the first space S1 based on detection signals from various sensors input to the air conditioner ECU 80, using the following formula 1.

[0123] (Number 1) FrTAO=Kset×FrTset-Kr×FrTr-Kam×Tam-Ks×Ts+C Here, FrTset is the target temperature of the first space S1 set by the temperature setting switch. FrTr is the temperature of the first space S1 detected by the first interior air temperature sensor 71. Tam is the temperature outside the vehicle cabin detected by the exterior air temperature sensor 73. Ts is the amount of solar radiation detected by the solar radiation sensor 74. Kset, Kr, Kam, and Ks are control gains, and C is a correction constant.

[0124] In this way, the air conditioner ECU 80 determines the first target blow-out temperature FrTAO based on the first target temperature FrTset and information on the interior and exterior environments of the vehicle, such as the first interior air temperature FrTr, the exterior air temperature Tam, and the amount of solar radiation Ts. Then, as shown in Fig. 9, the air conditioner ECU 80 controls the operation of various components of the first air conditioner 120 based on the first target blow-out temperature FrTAO.

[0125] Next, we will explain the second air conditioning control unit 82. The second air conditioning control unit 82 calculates a target temperature of the conditioned air blown out by the second air conditioner 140 toward the second space S2 when the thermal sensation adjustment system adjusts the thermal sensation of the rear seat occupant 5 present in the second space S2.

[0126] As described above, the thermal sensation adjustment system of this embodiment is configured to be able to adjust the thermal sensation of the rear seat occupant 5 so that the thermal sensation of multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5 approaches a target thermal sensation. In other words, when adjusting the thermal sensation of the rear seat occupant 5, the thermal sensation adjustment system of this embodiment can adjust the thermal sensation of the rear seat occupant 5 taking into account the thermal sensation distribution of the rear seat occupant 5.

[0127] To explain the effect of adjusting the thermal sensation of the rear seat occupant 5 in consideration of the thermal sensation distribution, we will first explain a case where the thermal sensation adjustment system adjusts the thermal sensation of the rear seat occupant 5 without considering the thermal sensation distribution of the rear seat occupant 5. In this case, the second air conditioning control unit 82 calculates a second target blowing temperature RrTAO of the conditioned air blown into the second space S2 by the thermal sensation adjustment system using the following equation 2, based on detection signals from various sensors input to the air conditioner ECU 80. The second target blowing temperature RrTAO calculated here is the target temperature of the conditioned air blown into the second space S2 by the first air conditioner 120 and the second air conditioner 140.

[0128] (Number 2) RrTAO=Kset×RrTset-Kr×RrTr-Kam×Tam-Ks×Ts+C Here, RrTset is the target temperature of the second space S2 set by the temperature setting switch. RrTr is the temperature of the second space S2 detected by the second interior air temperature sensor 72. Tam is the temperature outside the vehicle cabin detected by the exterior air temperature sensor 73. Ts is the amount of solar radiation detected by the solar radiation sensor 74. Kset, Kr, Kam, and Ks are control gains, and C is a correction constant.

[0129] In this manner, the air conditioner ECU 80 determines the second target outlet temperature RrTAO based on the second target temperature RrTset and information about the interior and exterior environments of the vehicle, such as the second inside air temperature RrTr, the outside air temperature Tam, and the amount of solar radiation Ts. The air conditioner ECU 80 then controls the operation of the various components of the first air conditioner 120 and the second air conditioner 140 based on the second target outlet temperature RrTAO, as shown in Fig. 9.

[0130] Next, we will explain the hypothetical operation of the various components of the first air conditioner 120, the second air conditioner 140, and the seat air conditioner 40 when the first target air outlet temperature FrTAO and the second target air outlet temperature RrTAO are determined in this manner.

[0131] The air conditioner ECU 80 determines the first front seat air outlet mode of the first air conditioner 120 based on the first target air outlet temperature FrTAO calculated by the first air conditioning control unit 81. Then, the air conditioner ECU 80 controls the operation of the first front seat mode actuator 126a so that conditioned air is blown out from the air outlet corresponding to the determined first front seat air outlet mode.

[0132] Furthermore, the air conditioner ECU 80 determines the first rear seat air outlet mode of the first air conditioner 120 based on the second target air outlet temperature RrTAO calculated by the second air conditioning control unit 82. Then, the air conditioner ECU 80 controls the operation of the first rear seat mode actuator 131a so that the conditioned air is blown out from the air outlet corresponding to the determined first rear seat air outlet mode.

[0133] Furthermore, the air conditioner ECU 80 determines the second rear seat air outlet mode of the second air conditioner 140 based on the second target air outlet temperature RrTAO calculated by the second air conditioning control unit 82. Then, the air conditioner ECU 80 controls the operation of the second rear seat mode actuator 146a so that the conditioned air is blown out from the air outlet corresponding to the determined second rear seat air outlet mode.

[0134] Then, the air conditioner ECU 80 controls the operation of the compressor 111, the first inside / outside air actuator 122a, the first fan actuator 123a, and the first front seat air mix actuator 125a so that the temperature of the conditioned air blown out from the outlet corresponding to the determined first front seat blowing mode approaches the first target blowing temperature FrTAO.

[0135] In addition, the air conditioner ECU 80 controls the operation of the compressor 111, the first inside / outside air actuator 122a, the first fan actuator 123a, the first rear seat air mix actuator 130a, the second inside / outside air actuator 142a, the second fan actuator 143a, and the second rear seat air mix actuator 145a so that the temperature of the conditioned air blown out from the air outlet corresponding to the determined first rear seat air outlet mode and the air outlet corresponding to the determined second rear seat air outlet mode approaches the second target air outlet temperature RrTAO.

[0136] In the air conditioning unit 10 of this embodiment, the compressor 111, which forms a refrigeration cycle together with the first evaporator 115 housed in the first air conditioner 120, also forms a refrigeration cycle together with the second evaporator 116 housed in the second air conditioner 140. Therefore, the air conditioner ECU 80 controls various components of the air conditioning unit 10 so that the conditioned air blown into the first space S1 approaches the first target blowing temperature FrTAO and the conditioned air blown into the second space S2 approaches the second target blowing temperature RrTAO.

[0137] The first air conditioner 120 then adjusts the thermal sensation of the front seat occupant 3 while conditioning the first space S1 by blowing conditioned air from an air outlet corresponding to the determined first front seat air outlet mode. The first air conditioner 120 also adjusts the thermal sensation of the rear seat occupant 5 while conditioning the second space S2 by blowing conditioned air from an air outlet corresponding to the determined first rear seat air outlet mode.

[0138] The second air conditioner 140 then adjusts the thermal sensation of the rear seat passenger 5 while conditioning the second space S2 by blowing out conditioned air from the air outlet corresponding to the determined second rear seat air outlet mode.

[0139] Furthermore, when the seat air conditioning power switch is turned on, the seat air conditioning device 40 starts operating based on the second interior air temperature RrTr and the seat target temperature STset. For example, if the second interior air temperature RrTr is equal to or higher than the seat target temperature STset, the air conditioning ECU 80 activates the back fan actuator 42a and the seat fan actuator 44a. If the second interior air temperature RrTr is lower than the seat target temperature STset, the air conditioning ECU 80 activates the neck heater 45, the back heater 46, and the thigh heater 47.

[0140] Referring to Figure 10, we will explain the thermal sensation given to the rear seat passenger 5 when the air conditioning of the second space S2 and the thermal sensation of the rear seat passenger 5 are adjusted without taking into account the thermal sensation distribution of the rear seat passenger 5.

[0141] A case will be described in which the thermal sensation adjustment system adjusts the thermal sensation of the rear seat occupant 5 in summer without taking thermal sensation into consideration. For example, the first air conditioner 120 blows conditioned air whose temperature has been adjusted to approach the second target blowing temperature RrTAO from the first rear seat face outlet 136a into the second space S2. The second air conditioner 140 blows conditioned air whose temperature has been adjusted to approach the second target blowing temperature RrTAO from the second rear seat face outlet 148a into the second space S2. The seat air conditioner 40 also draws air from the rear air outlet 41a and the seat air outlet 43a.

[0142] In this way, when the first air conditioner 120 and the second air conditioner 140 blow out temperature-adjusted conditioned air into the second space S2, the temperature of the entire second space S2 is adjusted to approach the second target temperature RrTset, as shown in Fig. 10. Then, the seat air conditioner 40 operates the back fan 42 and the seat fan 44 as necessary to cool the back, buttocks, and thighs of the rear seat occupant 5.

[0143] In this case, the thermal sensation adjustment system can easily impart a warmth that is equal to the thermal sensation reference value to many of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5, but it is difficult to impart a warmth that is equal to the thermal sensation reference value to some body parts. Specifically, the thermal sensation adjustment system can easily impart a warmth that is comfortable to the chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4, but it is easy to impart a warmth that is higher than the warmth that is comfortable to the head area A1. For this reason, it is difficult to impart a warmth that is equal to the thermal sensation reference value to the head area A1.

[0144] This is because, in the method of blowing conditioned air into the second space S2 without considering the thermal sensation distribution of the rear seat passenger 5, it is difficult to provide a comfortable thermal sensation to the head area A1, which is a relatively upper part of the rear seat passenger 5, due to the radiant heat from the window heated by sunlight. In this case, there is a risk that the rear seat passenger 5 will feel uncomfortable in his or her head and neck, among the multiple body parts.

[0145] Next, a case will be described in which the thermal sensation adjustment system adjusts the thermal sensation of the rear seat occupant 5 in winter without taking the thermal sensation into consideration. For example, the first air conditioner 120 blows conditioned air whose temperature has been adjusted to approach the second target blowing temperature RrTAO from the first rear seat foot outlet 137a into the second space S2. The second air conditioner 140 blows conditioned air whose temperature has been adjusted to approach the second target blowing temperature RrTAO from the second rear seat foot outlet 149a into the second space S2. Furthermore, the seat air conditioner 40 operates the neck heater 45, the back heater 46, and the thigh heater 47 as necessary.

[0146] In this way, when the first air conditioner 120 and the second air conditioner 140 blow out temperature-adjusted conditioned air into the second space S2, the temperature of the entire second space S2 is adjusted to approach the second target temperature RrTset, as shown in Fig. 10. Then, the seat air conditioner 40 warms the neck, back, buttocks, and thighs of the rear seat occupant 5.

[0147] When the second target air temperature RrTAO is a predetermined temperature, the thermal sensation adjustment system tends to provide a comfortable thermal sensation to the head area A1 and chest area A2, but tends to provide a warmth that is lower than the comfortable thermal sensation to the thigh area A3 and foot area A4. Therefore, it is difficult to provide a thermal sensation equal to the thermal sensation reference value to the thigh area A3 and foot area A4. Here, the predetermined temperature is a temperature set so as to provide a comfortable thermal sensation to the head area A1 and chest area A2.

[0148] This is because, if the second target outlet temperature RrTAO is set to a predetermined temperature so that the head area A1 and chest area A2 can achieve the desired warmth, high-temperature air tends to be trapped relatively higher in the vehicle cabin, and low-temperature air tends to be trapped relatively lower in the vehicle cabin. In this case, the rear seat passenger 5 may experience discomfort in the lower half of his or her body.

[0149] Furthermore, if the second target blowout temperature RrTAO is set higher than a predetermined temperature so as to provide a comfortable warmth to the thigh area A3 and the foot area A4, the warmth sensation adjustment system is likely to provide a comfortable warmth to the thigh area A3 and the foot area A4. However, in this case, the warmth sensation adjustment system is likely to provide a warmth that is higher than a comfortable warmth to the head area A1 and the chest area A2, making it difficult to provide a warmth that is the same as the warmth sensation reference value to the head area A1 and the chest area A2.

[0150] This is because if the second space S2 is conditioned by setting the second target outlet temperature RrTAO to a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature, the air relatively higher in the vehicle cabin will be heated more than necessary, which may cause discomfort to the upper half of the rear seat passenger 5.

[0151] In this way, the method of blowing conditioned air into the second space S2 without considering the thermal sensation distribution of the rear seat occupant 5 and adjusting the temperature of the entire second space S2 to approach the second target temperature RrTset makes it difficult to make each of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5 comfortable.

[0152] In contrast to this, the thermal sensation adjustment system of this embodiment adjusts the thermal sensation of the rear seat occupant 5 taking into account the thermal sensation distribution of the rear seat occupant 5 when adjusting the thermal sensation of the rear seat occupant 5, thereby making it possible to provide a thermal sensation that feels comfortable to each of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5. Below, we will explain the processing that the air conditioner ECU 80 executes when the thermal sensation adjustment system adjusts the thermal sensation of the rear seat occupant 5 taking into account the thermal sensation distribution of the rear seat occupant 5.

[0153] To set the target thermal sensation distribution, the target setting unit 83 performs the following process: First, the target setting unit 83 selects an operation mode based on the operation of the mode selection switch of the first setting unit 75 or the second setting unit 76.

[0154] Specifically, the target setting unit 83 selects one of the default mode, the relax mode, and the focus mode based on the operation of the mode selection switch of the first setting unit 75 or the second setting unit 76. When the default mode is set, the target setting unit 83 selects either the summer default mode or the winter default mode by referring to a control map that is determined in advance based on the outside air temperature Tam and the amount of solar radiation Ts.

[0155] The target setting unit 83 then refers to the thermal sensation reference value corresponding to the selected operation mode and determines a provisional target thermal sensation value for each of the head area A1, chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4 in that operation mode. Hereinafter, the provisional target thermal sensation is also referred to as provisional target SET*.

[0156] Then, when there is an input to the correction switch in the second setting unit 76, the target setting unit 83 determines a correction value for the tentative target SET*.

[0157] When a correction operation is performed with the correction switch for one of the head area A1, chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4, the target setting unit 83 determines a correction value for correcting the tentative target SET* of the area selected based on the operation. Also, when a correction operation is performed with the correction switch for multiple areas of the head area A1, chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4, the target setting unit 83 determines a correction value for correcting the tentative target SET* for each of the multiple areas selected based on the operation.

[0158] Then, the target setting unit 83 determines the target thermal sensations for the head area A1, chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4 as target SET* based on the tentative target SET* and the determined correction value. Specifically, the target setting unit 83 determines the target SET* by adding or subtracting the correction value for each area from the tentative target SET* for all of the head area A1, chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4.

[0159] If no input is made to the correction switch, the target setting unit 83 determines the value of the tentative target SET* as the target SET* for each of the head area A1, chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4.

[0160] Here, we will explain SET*. SET* is a temperature index called the Standard New Effective Temperature. SET* is calculated by taking into account six factors: temperature, humidity, radiation, airflow in the environment, metabolic rate in the human body, and amount of clothing. SET* defines the ASHRAE standard environment. When a person who has been in a real environment moves to that standard environment, the temperature of the standard environment that feels the same as the real environment is the SET* for that real environment. Details of SET* are well known technology, so we will not explain them here. SET* has a one-to-one correspondence with thermal sensation shown in the distribution of thermal sensation reference values. Therefore, SET* is also an index that expresses thermal sensation.

[0161] In this way, the thermal sensation adjusting system of this embodiment can change the thermal sensation reference value for each operation mode and set the target thermal sensation distribution to a desired value.

[0162] Next, the second air conditioning control unit 82 will be described. The second air conditioning control unit 82 executes the following process to calculate the second target blow-out temperature RrTAO. First, the second air conditioning control unit 82 selects an operation mode based on the operation of the mode selection switch of the first setting unit 75 or the second setting unit 76, in a manner similar to that described in the operation of the target setting unit 83.

[0163] The second air conditioning control unit 82 then reads the second target temperature RrTset set by operating the temperature setting switch. The second air conditioning control unit 82 also reads the second inside air temperature RrTr, the outside air temperature Tam, and the amount of solar radiation Ts detected by the second inside air temperature sensor 72, the outside air temperature sensor 73, and the solar radiation sensor 74.

[0164] The second air conditioning control unit 82 then reads the thermal sensation deviation amount Dt for each of the head area A1, chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4 calculated by a thermal sensation deviation calculation unit 84a (described later). The thermal sensation deviation amount Dt is the deviation amount of the current thermal sensation of the rear seat occupant 5 from the target SET*.

[0165] The second air conditioning control unit 82 calculates a tentative second target blow-out temperature VRrTAO based on the second target temperature RrTset, the second inside air temperature RrTr, the outside air temperature Tam, and the amount of solar radiation Ts. Specifically, the second air conditioning control unit 82 first calculates the tentative second target blow-out temperature VRrTAO using the following Equation 3.

[0166] (Number 3) VRrTAO=Kset×RrTset-Kr×RrTr-Kam×Tam-Ks×Ts+C Here, RrTset is the target temperature of the second space S2 set by the temperature setting switch. RrTr is the temperature of the second space S2 detected by the second interior air temperature sensor 72. Tam is the temperature outside the vehicle cabin detected by the exterior air temperature sensor 73. Ts is the amount of solar radiation detected by the solar radiation sensor 74. Kset, Kr, Kam, and Ks are control gains, and C is a correction constant.

[0167] The second air conditioning control unit 82 then sets the second target blow-out temperature RrTAO based on the provisional second target blow-out temperature VRrTAO and the thermal sensation deviation amount Dt. The second target blow-out temperature RrTAO is set so that the thermal sensation of the area corresponding to the area with the largest thermal sensation deviation amount Dt among the head area A1, chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4 approaches the target SET*.

[0168] For example, if the thermal sensation deviation amount Dt of the area with the largest thermal sensation deviation amount Dt is a positive value, the second target blow-out temperature RrTAO is set to a temperature higher than the provisional second target blow-out temperature VRrTAO so as to increase the thermal sensation value. Also, if the thermal sensation deviation amount Dt of the area with the largest thermal sensation deviation amount Dt is a negative value, the second target blow-out temperature RrTAO is set to a temperature lower than the provisional second target blow-out temperature VRrTAO so as to decrease the thermal sensation value.

[0169] Next, the deviation region temperature adjustment unit 84 will be described. The deviation region temperature adjustment unit 84 has a thermal sensation deviation calculation unit 84a, a wind direction determination unit 84b, and an FrRrTAO calculation unit 84c. The deviation region temperature adjustment unit 84 functions as the thermal sensation deviation calculation unit 84a, the wind direction determination unit 84b, and the FrRrTAO calculation unit 84c by executing a predetermined program. Alternatively, the deviation region temperature adjustment unit 84 may have a plurality of circuit modules in one-to-one correspondence with the thermal sensation deviation calculation unit 84a, the wind direction determination unit 84b, and the FrRrTAO calculation unit 84c.

[0170] 11 to calculate the direction and volume of the conditioned air that the first air conditioner 120 blows into the second space S2, and the third target blowing temperature FrRrTAO. The third target blowing temperature FrRrTAO is the target temperature of the conditioned air that the first air conditioner 120 blows into the second space S2.

[0171] First, in step S10, the thermal sensation deviation calculation unit 84a calculates the difference between the SET* (i.e., the current thermal sensation) of the rear seat occupant 5 and the target SET* determined by the target setting unit 83, based on the detection signal of the IR sensor 70. The thermal sensation deviation calculation unit 84a calculates the difference by subtracting the current SET* from the target SET* for each of the head area A1, chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4.

[0172] As a result, a thermal sensation deviation amount Dt, which is the amount of deviation between the target SET* and the current SET*, is calculated for each of the head area A1, chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4. Furthermore, among the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5, the parts corresponding to the areas where the target SET* and the current SET* deviate are thermal sensation deviation parts.

[0173] In step S12, the thermal sensation deviation calculation unit 84a calculates a maximum deviation value Dmax, which is the maximum absolute value of the thermal sensation deviation amount Dt, based on the thermal sensation deviation amount Dt for each of the head area A1, chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4. Then, the thermal sensation deviation calculation unit 84a selects an area from the head area A1, chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4 where the thermal sensation deviation amount Dt is the maximum deviation value Dmax.

[0174] The thermal sensation deviation calculation unit 84a outputs information on the calculated thermal sensation deviation amount Dt to the second air conditioning control unit 82 and the FrRrTAO calculation unit 84c. As a result, as described above, the second air conditioning control unit 82 sets the second target blow-out temperature RrTAO based on the provisional second target blow-out temperature VRrTAO and the thermal sensation deviation amount Dt.

[0175] The thermal sensation deviation calculation unit 84a outputs information about the calculated maximum deviation value Dmax to the wind direction determination unit 84b and the FrRrTAO calculation unit 84c. The thermal sensation deviation calculation unit 84a also outputs information about the area where the thermal sensation deviation amount Dt is the maximum deviation value Dmax to the wind direction determination unit 84b.

[0176] In step S14, the airflow direction determination unit 84b determines the direction of the conditioned airflow when the first air conditioner 120 blows the conditioned airflow into the second space S2.

[0177] Specifically, the airflow direction determination unit 84b determines the body part of the rear seat occupant 5 corresponding to the area where the thermal sensation deviation amount Dt is the maximum deviation value Dmax among the head area A1, chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4 as the thermal sensation adjustment part. Then, when the thermal sensation adjustment part is determined to be the part corresponding to one of the head area A1, chest area A2, and thigh area A3, the airflow direction determination unit 84b sets the first rear seat air outlet mode to the first rear seat face mode so that the conditioned air is blown out from the first rear seat face air outlet 136a. Furthermore, the airflow direction determination unit 84b determines the position of the airflow direction adjustment plate 138 so that the conditioned air blown out from the first rear seat face air outlet 136a hits the thermal sensation adjustment part.

[0178] In contrast, when the thermal sensation adjustment area is determined to be the area corresponding to the foot area A4, the airflow direction determination unit 84b determines the first rear seat blowing mode to be the first rear seat foot mode so that the conditioned air is blown out from the first rear seat foot outlet 137a.

[0179] In step S16, the FrRrTAO calculation unit 84c reads the second target blown air temperature RrTAO calculated by the second air conditioning control unit 82.

[0180] In step S18, the FrRrTAO calculation unit 84c calculates a third target outlet temperature FrRrTAO of the conditioned air blown out from the first rear seat face outlet 136a and the first rear seat foot outlet 137a. The third target outlet temperature FrRrTAO is set by referring to a predetermined control map based on the thermal sensation deviation amount Dt and the second target outlet temperature RrTAO.

[0181] Specifically, the third target blow-out temperature FrRrTAO is set so that the thermal sensation of the thermal sensation adjustment region approaches the target SET*. For example, if the thermal sensation deviation amount Dt of the thermal sensation adjustment region is a positive value, the third target blow-out temperature FrRrTAO is set to a temperature higher than the second target blow-out temperature RrTAO so as to increase the thermal sensation value of the thermal sensation adjustment region. On the other hand, if the thermal sensation deviation amount Dt of the thermal sensation adjustment region is a negative value, the third target blow-out temperature FrRrTAO is set to a temperature lower than the second target blow-out temperature RrTAO so as to decrease the thermal sensation value of the thermal sensation adjustment region.

[0182] In step S20, the FrRrTAO calculation unit 84c determines the rotation speed of the first centrifugal fan 123 so that a sufficient amount of air is blown toward the thermal sensation adjustment area. The rotation speed of the first centrifugal fan 123 is set by referring to a control map that is determined in advance based on the second target blowing temperature RrTAO and the third target blowing temperature FrRrTAO.

[0183] 8, the air conditioner ECU 80 determines the second target blow-out temperature RrTAO based on the second target temperature RrTset and the thermal sensation deviation amount Dt of the rear seat occupant 5, in addition to information on the interior and exterior environments of the vehicle, such as the second interior air temperature RrTr, the exterior air temperature Tam, and the amount of solar radiation Ts. Furthermore, the air conditioner ECU 80 determines the third target blow-out temperature FrRrTAO and the direction and volume of the conditioned air blown into the second space S2 by the first air conditioner 120, based on the second target blow-out temperature RrTAO and the thermal sensation deviation amount Dt of the rear seat occupant 5.

[0184] 12, the air conditioner ECU 80 controls the operation of various components of the first air conditioner 120 based on the first target blow-out temperature FrTAO and the third target blow-out temperature FrRrTAO. The air conditioner ECU 80 also controls the operation of various components of the second air conditioner 140 based on the second target blow-out temperature RrTAO.

[0185] A specific operation when the first target blow-out temperature FrTAO, the second target blow-out temperature RrTAO, and the third target blow-out temperature FrRrTAO are determined in this manner will be described below.

[0186] The air conditioner ECU 80 determines the first front seat air outlet mode based on the calculated first target air outlet temperature FrTAO, and then controls the operation of the first front seat mode actuator 126a so that the conditioned air is blown out from the air outlet corresponding to the determined first front seat air outlet mode.

[0187] Furthermore, the air conditioner ECU 80 determines the first rear seat air outlet mode based on the direction of the conditioned air determined in step S14. Then, the air conditioner ECU 80 controls the operation of the first rear seat mode actuator 131a so that the conditioned air is blown out from the air outlet corresponding to the determined first rear seat air outlet mode.

[0188] Furthermore, when the first rear seat air outlet mode is determined to be the first rear seat face mode, the air conditioner ECU 80 controls the operation of the airflow direction actuator 138a so that the airflow direction adjusting plate 138 is positioned in the position determined in step S14.

[0189] Attitude data indicating how to position the airflow direction adjusting flap 138 when any of the head area A1, chest area A2, and thigh area A3 is the thermal sensation adjustment region is pre-recorded in the air conditioner ECU 80. The air conditioner ECU 80 uses the attitude data to determine the attitude of the airflow direction adjusting flap 138. The value of the attitude data may be corrected by a setting operation of the rear seat occupant 5. The value of the attitude data may also be corrected based on the position of the body region imaged by the IR sensor 70.

[0190] The air conditioner ECU 80 also determines the second rear seat air outlet mode based on the second target air outlet temperature RrTAO calculated by the second air conditioning control unit 82. The air conditioner ECU 80 then controls the operation of the second rear seat mode actuator 146a so that the conditioned air is blown out from the air outlet corresponding to the determined second rear seat air outlet mode.

[0191] Furthermore, the air conditioner ECU 80 controls the first fan actuator 123a so that the first centrifugal fan 123 rotates at the rotation speed determined in step S20.

[0192] In addition, the air conditioner ECU 80 determines the rotation speed of the compressor 111, the rotation position of the first inside / outside air switching door 122, the opening degree of the first front seat air mix door 125, the opening degree of the first rear seat air mix door 130, the rotation position of the second inside / outside air switching door 142, the rotation speed of the second centrifugal fan 143, and the opening degree of the second air mix door 145 based on the first target blowing temperature FrTAO, the second target blowing temperature RrTAO, and the third target blowing temperature FrRrTAO.

[0193] The air conditioner ECU 80 then controls these devices so that the temperatures of the conditioned air blown out from the outlets corresponding to the determined first front seat blowing mode, first rear seat blowing mode, and second rear seat blowing mode approach the target temperatures set individually for each.

[0194] Specifically, the air conditioner ECU 80 determines the rotation speed of the compressor 111, the rotation position of the first inside / outside air switching door 122, the opening degree of the first front seat air mix door 125, and the opening degree of the first rear seat air mix door 130 so that the temperature of the conditioned air blown out by the first air conditioner 120 approaches the average temperature of the first target blowing temperature FrTAO and the second target blowing temperature RrTAO.

[0195] In the air conditioning unit 10 of this embodiment, the air conditioner ECU 80 may control the various components so that priority is given to improving the thermal sensation of the rear seat occupant 5 over the thermal sensation of the front seat occupant 3. In this case, the air conditioner ECU 80 may control the various components so that the temperature of the conditioned air blown out by the air conditioning unit 10 approaches the second target blown out temperature RrTAO and the third target blown out temperature FrRrTAO rather than the first target blown out temperature FrTAO.

[0196] Furthermore, the air conditioner ECU 80 may control the various components so that the temperature of the conditioned air blown out by the air conditioning unit 10 approaches the third target blowing temperature FrRrTAO more closely than the second target blowing temperature RrTAO. Alternatively, the air conditioner ECU 80 may control the various components so that the temperature of the conditioned air blown out approaches the second target blowing temperature RrTAO more closely than the third target blowing temperature FrRrTAO.

[0197] With the various components controlled in this manner, when the first air conditioner 120 operates in the first front seat face mode, it blows conditioned air from the first front seat face outlet 133a to condition the first space S1 while adjusting the thermal sensation mainly for the upper body of the front seat occupant 3. When it operates in the first front seat foot mode, it blows conditioned air from the first front seat foot outlet 134a to condition the first space S1 while adjusting the thermal sensation mainly for the lower body of the front seat occupant 3. When it operates in the defroster mode, it blows conditioned air from the defroster outlet 135a to condition the first space S1 while directing the conditioned air toward the windshield to prevent fogging of the windshield.

[0198] In addition, when the first air conditioner 120 operates in the first rear seat face mode, it blows conditioned air from the first rear seat face outlet 136a to air condition the second space S2 while adjusting the thermal sensation of the thermal sensation adjustment area of ​​the rear seat occupant 5.

[0199] When operating in the first rear seat foot mode, the first air conditioner 120 air-conditions the second space S2 by blowing conditioned air from the first rear seat foot outlet 137a, while adjusting the thermal sensation of the thermal sensation adjustment area of ​​the rear seat occupant 5.

[0200] Specifically, the higher the third target blowing temperature FrRrTAO, the more the first air conditioner 120 adjusts the state of the conditioned air so that a warmer thermal sensation can be imparted to the thermal sensation adjustment area, thereby bringing the thermal sensation of the thermal sensation adjustment area closer to the target thermal sensation.Furthermore, the lower the third target blowing temperature FrRrTAO, the more the first air conditioner 120 adjusts the state of the conditioned air so that a cooler thermal sensation can be imparted to the thermal sensation adjustment area, thereby bringing the thermal sensation of the thermal sensation adjustment area closer to the target thermal sensation.

[0201] As a result, the first air conditioner 120 blows conditioned air toward the body part with the largest thermal sensation deviation at each time point, thereby reducing the absolute value of the thermal sensation deviation Dt for that part. By repeating this process, the body part with the largest absolute value of the thermal sensation deviation Dt changes from moment to moment. Therefore, the absolute value of the thermal sensation deviation Dt is reduced individually for each of the parts corresponding to the head area A1, chest area A2, thigh area A3, and foot area A4.

[0202] As a result, the absolute value of the thermal sensation deviation Dt approaches the target thermal sensation for each body part. In other words, the similarity between the distribution of the current SET* by body part and the distribution of the target SET* by body part increases. As a result, the thermal sensation of each of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5 is guided toward the target SET* determined in step S18.

[0203] Furthermore, when the second air conditioner 140 operates in the second rear seat face mode, it blows conditioned air from the second rear seat face outlet 148a to air-condition the second space S2 while adjusting the thermal sensation mainly of the upper body of the rear seat occupant 5. When it operates in the second rear seat foot mode, it blows conditioned air from the second rear seat foot outlet 149a to air-condition the second space S2 while adjusting the thermal sensation mainly of the lower body of the rear seat occupant 5.

[0204] Furthermore, when the seat air conditioning power switch is turned on, the air conditioner ECU 80 determines whether to start or stop the operation of the back fan 42 and the seat fan 44 based on the second inside air temperature RrTr and the seat target temperature STset. Then, when the seat fan 44 is to be operated, the air conditioner ECU 80 determines the rotation speed of the back fan 42 and the seat fan 44.

[0205] Furthermore, when the seat air conditioning power switch is turned on, the air conditioner ECU 80 determines whether to start or stop operation of the neck heater 45, back heater 46, and thigh heater 47 based on the second interior air temperature RrTr and the seat target temperature STset. When operating the neck heater 45, back heater 46, and thigh heater 47, the air conditioner ECU 80 determines the heat generation amount of each of the neck heater 45, back heater 46, and thigh heater 47.

[0206] For example, when the second inside air temperature RrTr is equal to or higher than the seat target temperature STset, the air conditioner ECU 80 determines the rotation speed of the back fan 42 and the seat fan 44 based on the difference between the second inside air temperature RrTr and the seat target temperature STset. Specifically, when the difference between the second inside air temperature RrTr and the seat target temperature STset is equal to or higher than a predetermined cooling threshold, the air conditioner ECU 80 increases the rotation speed of the back fan 42 and the seat fan 44 compared to when the difference is smaller than the predetermined cooling threshold.

[0207] The predetermined cooling threshold value is a value for determining whether or not to increase the volume of air drawn in through the rear ventilation opening 41a and the seat ventilation opening 43a, and is set in advance in the air conditioner ECU 80.

[0208] As a result, the seat air conditioner 40 draws in air from the rear ventilation opening 41a to cool mainly the back of the rear seat occupant 5, among the multiple body parts. The seat air conditioner 40 also draws in air from the seat ventilation opening 43a to cool mainly the buttocks and thighs of the rear seat occupant 5, among the multiple body parts.

[0209] Furthermore, when the second inside air temperature RrTr is lower than the seat target temperature STset, the air conditioner ECU 80 determines the heat generation amounts of the neck heater 45, the back heater 46, and the thigh heater 47 based on the difference between the second inside air temperature RrTr and the seat target temperature STset. Specifically, when the difference between the second inside air temperature RrTr and the seat target temperature STset is equal to or greater than a predetermined heating threshold, the air conditioner ECU 80 increases the heat generation amounts of the neck heater 45, the back heater 46, and the thigh heater 47 compared to when the difference is smaller than the predetermined heating threshold.

[0210] The predetermined heating threshold value is a value for determining whether or not to increase the heat generation amount of each of the neck heater 45, the back heater 46, and the thigh heater 47, and is set in advance in the air conditioner ECU 80.

[0211] As a result, the seat air conditioning unit 40 heats mainly the neck of the rear seat occupant 5 among multiple body parts by the neck heater 45 generating heat. The seat air conditioning unit 40 heats mainly the back of the rear seat occupant 5 among multiple body parts by the back heater 46 generating heat. The seat air conditioning unit 40 heats mainly the buttocks and thighs of the rear seat occupant 5 among multiple body parts by the thigh heater 47 generating heat.

[0212] By operating in this manner, the thermal sensation adjustment system does not adjust the temperature of the entire second space S2, but can adjust the thermal sensation for each of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5, as shown in Fig. 13. This allows the thermal sensation adjustment system to adjust the thermal sensation of the rear seat occupant 5 so as to achieve the target thermal sensation distribution for each driving mode set by the target setting unit 83.

[0213] For example, when operating in the summer default mode, the second air conditioner 140 blows conditioned air toward the second space S2, thereby conditioning the entire second space S2 and providing the rear seat occupant 5 with a cool thermal sensation. The seat air conditioner 40 can cool the rear seat occupant 5 by drawing air through the rear air vents 41a and the seat air vents 43a. Furthermore, the first air conditioner 120 blows conditioned air toward the head area A1, which is more likely to require a cooler thermal sensation compared to other areas, thereby providing the rear seat occupant 5 with a cooler thermal sensation in the area corresponding to the head area A1.

[0214] Therefore, the area corresponding to the head area A1 can be made comfortable without adding a temperature control device for adjusting the thermal sensation of the area corresponding to the area.

[0215] Furthermore, when operating in the winter default mode, for example, it is assumed that the second target air outlet temperature RrTAO is set to a temperature that can provide a comfortable warmth to the areas corresponding to the head area A1 and the chest area A2. In this case, the second air conditioner 140 can provide a warmth to the rear seat occupant 5 while air-conditioning the entire second space S2 by blowing conditioned air toward the second space S2. Furthermore, the seat air conditioner 40 can warm the rear seat occupant 5 by generating heat from the neck heater 45, the back heater 46, and the thigh heater 47. Furthermore, the first air conditioner 120 can provide a warmth to the areas corresponding to the thigh area A3 of the rear seat occupant 5 by blowing conditioned air toward the lower side of the second space S2 where relatively low-temperature air tends to accumulate.

[0216] Therefore, the region corresponding to the thigh area A3 can be made comfortable without adding a temperature adjustment device separate from the seat air conditioning device 40 for adjusting the warmth of the region corresponding to the thigh area A3.

[0217] In this way, the thermal sensation adjustment system can provide a thermal sensation that each of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5 feels comfortable even if the thermal sensation that each of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5 feels comfortable varies depending on the external environment and the desired mental state of the rear seat occupant 5. Furthermore, even if the value of the thermal sensation that each of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5 feels comfortable differs, the system can provide a thermal sensation that each of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5 feels comfortable.

[0218] Therefore, when cooling or heating the vehicle interior, the thermal sensation adjustment system can adjust the thermal sensation for each of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5 to make the rear seat occupant 5 comfortable. Furthermore, by adjusting the thermal sensation for each of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5, the thermal sensation adjustment system can provide the rear seat occupant 5 with a thermal sensation that calms the mind or a thermal sensation that invigorates the mind of the rear seat occupant 5.

[0219] As described above, in the thermal sensation adjustment system of this embodiment, when there are multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5 where thermal sensations differ, the first air conditioner 120 can adjust the thermal sensation of the rear seat occupant 5 by blowing conditioned air toward those parts. This eliminates the need to add a temperature adjustment device for each body part of the rear seat occupant 5 where the thermal sensation needs to be adjusted. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the thermal sensation for each body part of the rear seat occupant 5 while reducing the number of installed temperature adjustment devices.

[0220] (1) In the above embodiment, the front seats 2 are provided in the first space S1, and the rear seats 4 are provided in the second space S2. The first air conditioner 120 blows conditioned air toward the thermal sensation deviation areas of the rear seat occupants 5 seated in the rear seats 4. The first air conditioner 120 has a greater air conditioning capacity than the second air conditioner 140. Therefore, the first air conditioner 120, which has a greater air conditioning capacity, can be used to adjust the thermal sensation of the thermal sensation deviation areas of the rear seat occupants 5 located in the second space S2, which is air-conditioned by the second air conditioner 140, which has a lower air conditioning capacity.

[0221] This makes it easier to adjust the thermal sensation of the rear seat occupant 5 compared to using the second air conditioner 140 with lower air conditioning capacity to adjust the thermal sensation of the thermal sensation deviation area of ​​the front seat occupant 3 located in the first space S1 conditioned by the first air conditioner 120 with higher air conditioning capacity.

[0222] (2) In the above embodiment, the first air conditioner 120 has an airflow direction adjusting plate 138 that adjusts the direction of the conditioned airflow. The airflow direction adjusting plate 138 changes the direction of the conditioned airflow so that the conditioned airflow is blown toward a thermal sensation deviation part among multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5, thereby bringing the thermal sensation of the thermal sensation deviation part closer to the target thermal sensation.

[0223] This allows the first air conditioning unit 120 to blow conditioned air toward areas where thermal sensation differs with a simpler configuration than when the first air conditioning unit 120 is configured with air outlets corresponding to each of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5, the number of which is the same as the number of body parts.

[0224] (3) In the above embodiment, the IR sensor 70 detects the ambient temperature of the rear seat passenger 5, and the detected ambient temperature is used to estimate the thermal sensation of each of the multiple body parts of the rear seat passenger 5. This makes it possible to detect the thermal sensation of the rear seat passenger 5 with a simpler configuration than a configuration in which a thermal sensation sensor is provided to detect the thermal sensation of each of the multiple body parts of the rear seat passenger 5.

[0225] (Other embodiments) Representative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified in various ways, for example, as follows.

[0226] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the first rear seat face vent 136a, through which the first air conditioner 120 blows conditioned air toward the second space S2, is provided in the space partition wall 6, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first rear seat face vent 136a may be provided in the center pillar 7 in addition to the space partition wall 6, as shown in FIG.

[0227] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the second air conditioner 140 can both cool and heat the second space S2, but this is not limiting. For example, the second air conditioner 140 may be configured to be able to perform either cooling or heating.

[0228] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the first air conditioner 120, which conditions the first space S1 in which the front seats 2 are located, adjusts the thermal sensation of the thermal sensation-dissociated parts of the rear seat occupant 5 who is located in the second space S2 in which the rear seats 4 are located, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the thermal sensation adjustment system may be such that the second air conditioner 140 has an outlet that blows conditioned air toward the front seat occupant 3, and the second air conditioner 140 adjusts the thermal sensation of the thermal sensation-dissociated parts of the front seat occupant 3.

[0229] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the thermal sensation adjustment system includes the seat air-conditioning unit 40, and is configured so that the seat air-conditioning unit 40 can adjust the thermal sensation of multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5 in addition to the first air-conditioning unit 120, but the present invention is not limited to this. The thermal sensation adjustment system may also be configured not to include the seat air-conditioning unit 40, and to adjust the thermal sensation of each of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5 using only the first air-conditioning unit 120.

[0230] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the direction of the conditioned air blown out from first air conditioner 120 is changed depending on the first rear seat air outlet mode, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, first air conditioner 120 may be configured without first rear seat foot outlet 137a, and the direction of the conditioned air blown out from first air conditioner 120 may be adjusted only by air direction adjusting plate 138.

[0231] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the airflow direction adjusting plate 138 adjusts the direction of the conditioned airflow blown out from the first rear seat face air outlet 136a to adjust the thermal sensation of multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first air conditioner 120 may not be provided with the airflow direction adjusting plate 138, but may have multiple air outlets corresponding to multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5, and may adjust the thermal sensation of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5 by switching the air outlet from which the conditioned airflow is blown out.

[0232] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the thermal sensation detection unit is configured with the IR sensor 70, and the IR sensor 70 detects the ambient temperature of the rear seat occupant 5 and estimates the surface temperature of each of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5 using the detected ambient temperature. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the thermal sensation adjustment system may be configured such that the IR sensor 70 detects the surface temperature of each of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5, and the air conditioning ECU 80 calculates the surface temperature of each of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5 based on the temperature information detected by the IR sensor 70. Alternatively, for example, the thermal sensation detection unit may be configured with multiple temperature sensors corresponding to each of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5, and the multiple temperature sensors may detect the temperature of each of the multiple body parts of the rear seat occupant 5.

[0233] In the above-described embodiment, the distribution of the thermal sensation reference value in each operating mode is shown in Figures 4 to 7, but the distribution of the thermal sensation reference value is not limited to this. The distribution of the thermal sensation reference value in each operating mode shown in Figures 4 to 7 is an example and can be changed as appropriate.

[0234] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the first air conditioner 120 blows conditioned air toward the body part of the rear seat occupant 5 that has the largest absolute value of the thermal sensation deviation amount Dt, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the thermal sensations of the body parts of the rear seat occupant 5 deviate from the target thermal sensation, the first air conditioner 120 may adjust the thermal sensations of the body parts in a predetermined fixed order. Furthermore, when the thermal sensations of the body parts of the rear seat occupant 5 deviate from the target thermal sensation, the first air conditioner 120 may simultaneously adjust the thermal sensations of the body parts by, for example, simultaneously blowing conditioned air from the first rear seat face outlet 136a and the first rear seat foot outlet 137a.

[0235] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which SET* is used as an index representing thermal sensation, but this is not limiting. For example, instead of SET*, a thermal environment evaluation index PMV (Predicted Mean Vote, predicted thermal sensation report) may be used as an index representing thermal sensation.

[0236] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the air conditioner ECU 80 selects a driving mode based on operations on the first setting unit 75 and the second setting unit 76, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the air conditioner ECU 80 may identify the posture of the rear seat occupant 5 from an image obtained from the IR sensor 70 using image recognition technology, and select a driving mode based on the identified behavior. For example, if the posture of the seat back of the rear seat 4 has changed from a predetermined posture, the air conditioner ECU 80 may select the relaxation mode.

[0237] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the air conditioner ECU 80 executes the process shown in Fig. 11, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the thermal sensation adjustment system may include a processing device provided separately from the air conditioner ECU 80, and the processing device may execute the process in Fig. 11. In this case, the processing device corresponds to the thermal sensation deviation calculation unit by executing step S12.

[0238] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the first air conditioner 120 adjusts the thermal sensation of the front seat occupant 3 seated in the driver's seat, which is the front seat 2, but this is not limiting. For example, the first air conditioner 120 may adjust the thermal sensation of the front seat occupant 3 seated in the passenger seat in addition to the front seat occupant 3 seated in the driver's seat. In this case, for example, the front seat first air duct 121aa and the rear seat first air duct 121ab may be divided by a partition plate into air ducts corresponding to the driver's seat and the passenger seat, respectively. The thermal sensation adjustment system may be configured to independently adjust the thermal sensation of the front seat occupant 3 seated in the driver's seat and the front seat occupant 3 seated in the passenger seat.

[0239] In the above embodiment, an example in which the second ventilation passage 141a is a single passage has been described, but this is not limiting. For example, the second ventilation passage 141a in the second air conditioner 140 may be divided by a partition plate into ventilation passages corresponding to the two rear seats 4. The thermal sensation adjustment system may be configured to independently adjust the thermal sensation of the rear seat occupants 5 seated in each of the two rear seats 4.

[0240] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the air conditioner ECU 80 acquires the outside air temperature Tam from the outside air temperature sensor 73 and the amount of solar radiation Ts from the solar radiation sensor 74, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the thermal sensation adjustment system may be configured so that the outside air temperature sensor 73 and the solar radiation sensor 74 are eliminated, and the outside air temperature Tam and the amount of solar radiation Ts are received from a server or cloud external to the vehicle 1. Alternatively, the thermal sensation adjustment system may be configured so that the outside air temperature sensor 73 and the solar radiation sensor 74 are eliminated, and the related information relating to the outside air temperature Tam and the amount of solar radiation Ts is acquired from a server or cloud external to the vehicle 1. The thermal sensation adjustment system may then be configured to estimate the outside air temperature Tam and the amount of solar radiation Ts from the acquired related information.

[0241] In the above-described embodiments, it goes without saying that the elements constituting the embodiments are not necessarily essential unless they are specifically stated as essential or are clearly considered essential in principle.

[0242] In the above-described embodiments, when numerical values ​​such as the number, values, amounts, ranges, etc. of components of the embodiments are mentioned, they are not limited to the specific numbers unless they are specifically stated as essential or are clearly limited to a specific number in principle.

[0243] In the above-described embodiments, when referring to the shapes, positional relationships, etc. of components, etc., the shapes, positional relationships, etc. are not limited to those unless otherwise specified or when they are fundamentally limited to specific shapes, positional relationships, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0244] 70 IR sensor 84a Thermal sensation deviation calculation section 120 1st air conditioner 140 2nd air conditioner S1 1st space S2 2nd space

Claims

1. A thermal sensation adjustment system for adjusting the thermal sensation of a vehicle occupant, a first air conditioner (120) that blows conditioned air toward a first space (S1) that is a space to be air-conditioned; a second air conditioner (140) that blows conditioned air toward a second space (S2) that is a target space for air conditioning different from the first space; a thermal sensation detection unit (70) for detecting information relating to thermal sensation for each of a plurality of body parts of the occupant; a thermal sensation deviation calculation unit (84a) that calculates a difference between a thermal sensation for each of a plurality of body parts of the occupant calculated based on information on the thermal sensation detected by the thermal sensation detection unit and a target thermal sensation for each of the plurality of body parts of the occupant. the first air conditioning device has a first space opening (121e, 121f) for blowing conditioned air toward the occupant in the first space, and a second space opening (121h, 121k) that opens at a position different from the first space opening and blows conditioned air toward the occupant in the second space, A thermal sensation adjustment system in which, when there is a thermal sensation deviation area among the multiple body parts of the occupant present in the second space where the calculated thermal sensation deviates from the target thermal sensation, the first air conditioning device blows conditioned air from the opening for the second space toward the thermal sensation deviation area so that the thermal sensation of the thermal sensation deviation area approaches the target thermal sensation.

2. The first space is a space in which a driver's seat is provided, The second space is a space in which a rear seat is provided, The thermal sensation adjusting system according to claim 1, wherein the first air conditioning device has a higher air conditioning capacity than the second air conditioning device and blows conditioned air toward the thermal sensation deviation area of ​​the occupant sitting in the rear seat.

3. The first air conditioner has a wind direction adjustment mechanism (138) that adjusts the direction of the conditioned air that is blown out, The thermal sensation adjustment system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the airflow direction adjustment mechanism changes the direction of the conditioned air so that the conditioned air is blown toward the thermal sensation deviation area, thereby bringing the thermal sensation of the thermal sensation deviation area closer to the target thermal sensation.

4. The thermal sensation adjusting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the thermal sensation detecting unit detects the ambient temperature of the occupant and estimates the thermal sensation of each of the occupant's body parts using the detected ambient temperature.

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