Anti-fog system

Abstract

To operate a defogging device and thereby prevent fogging of a window, when an occupant gets on a vehicle, and thereby a cabin space may be extremely humidified.SOLUTION: A defogging system X includes a position specification part 18 for specifying a current position of a vehicle, a defogging device 19 for suppressing fogging of a window, and a control device 26 for controlling the defogging device 19. The control device 26 holds or acquires information on a specific facility in which an occupant using a facility existing in a region where the vehicle travels gets on the vehicle and thereby a cabin space may be extremely humidified, acquires the current position of the vehicle from the position specification part 18, determines whether or not the vehicle stops at the specific facility, on the basis of the current position of the vehicle and the information on the specific facility, and operates the defogging device 19, when the vehicle stops at the specific facility.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an anti-fog system for reducing fogging on vehicle windows. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, efforts to provide vulnerable transport users with access to sustainable transport systems have become more active. To achieve this, research and development into driver assistance technologies is gaining attention to further improve road safety and convenience.

[0003] For example, development is underway regarding driving assistance technologies that use images captured by imaging devices such as cameras. The imaging devices are typically configured to capture images of the exterior of the vehicle through windows from the interior of the vehicle.

[0004] However, when the humidity inside a vehicle increases due to water vapor emitted by the vehicle occupants, the humid air in the vehicle interior is cooled by the windows, which can cause the windows to fog up. Conventionally, there are widely known techniques for preventing / removing such window fogging.

[0005] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an anti-fogging system configured to operate an anti-fogging device even while the vehicle's power supply state is in a second power supply state (a power supply state in which the vehicle is prohibited from traveling). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7368422 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The amount of water vapor emitted by a vehicle occupant varies greatly depending on the activity the occupant engaged in immediately before entering the vehicle. For example, if the occupant engaged in an activity that raised their body temperature immediately before entering the vehicle, the occupant may sweat and emit a large amount of water vapor, which may cause excessive humidity in the interior of the vehicle. In such cases, it is desirable to operate an anti-fogging device to prevent window fogging.

[0008] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to suppress fogging of windows by operating an anti-fogging device when there is a possibility that the interior space of a vehicle will become excessively humid due to passengers getting into the vehicle, and ultimately to contribute to the development of a sustainable transportation system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is an anti-fogging system (X) for a vehicle (1) equipped with an image capturing device (10) for capturing an image of an exterior space (SP2) of the vehicle from an interior space (SP1) through a window (6), the system including a location identifying unit (18) for identifying the current location of the vehicle, an anti-fogging device (19) for suppressing fogging of the window, and a control device (26) for controlling the anti-fogging device, the control device being configured to identify a facility located in an area where the vehicle is traveling, and to identify a facility that prevents excessive humidification of the interior space of the vehicle when a passenger using the facility gets into the vehicle. The control unit holds or acquires information (T) about a specific facility that may be parked at the vehicle, acquires the current location of the vehicle from the location identification unit, and determines whether the vehicle is parked at the specific facility based on the current location of the vehicle and the information about the specific facility (steps ST2, ST12, ST22, ST32, ST42). If the vehicle is parked at the specific facility (steps ST2, ST12, ST22, ST32, ST42: Yes), the control unit operates the anti-fogging device (steps ST5, ST15, ST26, ST35, ST45).

[0010] According to this aspect, when there is a possibility that the interior space of the vehicle will become excessively humid due to an occupant getting into the vehicle, the anti-fogging device can be operated to suppress fogging of the windows.

[0011] In the above aspect, the anti-fogging system may further include an occupant terminal (57) carried by the occupant and identifying the occupant's current location, and when the vehicle is parked at the specific facility, the control device may acquire the occupant's current location from the occupant terminal (step ST3), and based on the current location of the vehicle and the current location of the occupant, determine whether the occupant who has used the specific facility has approached the vehicle to a predetermined reference distance (step ST4), and if the occupant who has used the specific facility has approached the vehicle to the reference distance (step ST4: Yes), operate the anti-fogging device.

[0012] According to this aspect, the defogging device can be activated before a passenger who has visited a specific facility gets into the vehicle, thereby more effectively preventing fogging of the windows.

[0013] In the above aspect, the anti-fogging system may further include an input device (17) that accepts input of an operation start time, which is the time when the anti-fogging device starts operating, and the control device may obtain the operation start time from the input device when the vehicle is parked at the specific facility (step ST13), and operate the anti-fogging device when the operation start time arrives (step ST14: Yes).

[0014] According to this aspect, the anti-fogging device can be operated at the operation start time input by the occupant into the input device, so that the occupant's intention can be reflected in the operation start time.

[0015] In the above aspect, the anti-fogging system may further include an input device (17) that accepts input of a scheduled boarding time, which is the time when the occupant who has used the specific facility is scheduled to board the vehicle. When the vehicle is parked at the specific facility, the control device may obtain the scheduled boarding time from the input device (step ST23), set a time that is a predetermined time earlier than the scheduled boarding time as an operation start time, which is the time when the anti-fogging device starts operating (step ST24), and operate the anti-fogging device when the operation start time arrives (step ST25: Yes).

[0016] According to this aspect, the defogging device can be activated before a passenger who has visited a specific facility gets into the vehicle, thereby more effectively preventing fogging of the windows.

[0017] In the above aspect, when the vehicle is parked at the specific facility, the control device may determine whether the occupant has dismounted from the vehicle (step ST33), and if the occupant has dismounted from the vehicle (step ST33: Yes), determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the occupant dismounted from the vehicle (step ST34), and if the predetermined time has elapsed since the occupant dismounted from the vehicle (step ST34: Yes), operate the anti-fogging device.

[0018] According to this aspect, the operating time of the defogging device can be shortened compared to when the defogging device is activated before the occupant gets out of the vehicle, thereby improving energy conservation.

[0019] In the above aspect, the anti-fogging system may further include a driving source (14A) that generates driving force for running the vehicle, and a battery (24) that supplies power to the driving source and the anti-fogging device, and when the vehicle is parked at the specific facility, the control device may determine whether the battery is being charged (step ST43), and if the battery is being charged (step ST43: Yes), operate the anti-fogging device.

[0020] According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the battery's charging rate from being excessively reduced due to operation of the anti-fogging device.

[0021] In the above aspect, the anti-fogging system may further include a driving source (14A) that generates driving force for running the vehicle, and a battery (24) that supplies power to the driving source and the anti-fogging device, and when the vehicle is parked at the specific facility, the control device may determine whether the charging rate of the battery exceeds a predetermined threshold (step ST44), and if the charging rate of the battery exceeds the threshold (step ST44: Yes), operate the anti-fogging device.

[0022] According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the battery's charging rate from being excessively reduced due to operation of the anti-fogging device.

[0023] In the above aspect, the control device may store the location of the specific facility as information regarding the specific facility, and determine that the vehicle is parked at the specific facility when the current location of the vehicle matches the location of the specific facility.

[0024] According to this aspect, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the vehicle is parked at a specific facility based on information about the specific facility that is held by the control device itself.

[0025] In the above aspect, the anti-fogging system may further include a map information storage unit (18) that stores map information of the area in which the vehicle is traveling, the map information including the location of the specific facility as information about the specific facility, and the control device may acquire the location of the specific facility from the map information storage unit and determine that the vehicle is parked at the specific facility when the current location of the vehicle matches the location of the specific facility.

[0026] According to this aspect, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the vehicle is parked at a specific facility based on information about the specific facility included in the map information.

[0027] In the above aspect, the control device may be configured to switch the power supply state of the vehicle between a first power supply state in which the vehicle is allowed to travel and a second power supply state in which the vehicle is prohibited from traveling, and when the vehicle is parked at the specific facility, the control device may start operation of the anti-fogging device when the power supply state of the vehicle is the second power supply state.

[0028] According to this aspect, the anti-fogging device can be started earlier than when the anti-fogging device is started after the vehicle's power state is switched from the second power state to the first power state, thereby more effectively preventing fogging of the windows. [Effects of the Invention]

[0029] According to the above aspect, when there is a possibility that the interior space of the vehicle will become excessively humid due to an occupant getting into the vehicle, fogging of the windows can be suppressed by operating the anti-fogging device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a front window and its surrounding area according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3]1 is a block diagram showing an anti-fogging system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a table showing a specific facility table according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] 1 is a flowchart showing anti-fogging control according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing anti-fogging control according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing anti-fogging control according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing an anti-fogging control according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing anti-fogging control according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] (First embodiment) <Vehicle 1> First, a vehicle 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. Referring to FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 is an automobile. The vehicle 1 has a vehicle body 2 that is long in the front-to-rear direction. An interior space SP1 is formed inside the vehicle body 2, and a passenger compartment 3 for accommodating passengers is provided in the center of the interior space SP1 in the front-to-rear direction. The passenger compartment 3 is provided with, for example, a plurality of front seats 4 (driver's seat, passenger seat) and a plurality of rear seats 5 arranged behind the front seats 4. Note that, although two rows of seats are provided in the front and rear direction in this embodiment, in other embodiments, there may be only one row of seats in the front and rear direction, or three or more rows of seats in the front and rear direction.

[0032] A windshield 6 (an example of a window) is provided in front of the front seats 4 at the front part of the vehicle body 2. The windshield 6 is made of glass. In other embodiments, the windshield 6 may be made of a transparent material other than glass (for example, a transparent resin). A rear window 7 is provided behind the rear seats 5 at the rear part of the vehicle body 2. A plurality of side doors 8 are provided on both sides of the vehicle body 2, beside the front seats 4 and rear seats 5, and a side window 9 is provided above each side door 8.

[0033] 1 and 2, a front camera 10 (an example of an imaging device) is provided above and behind the windshield 6. The front camera 10 is a device that captures an image of an exterior space SP2 (in this embodiment, the space in front of the vehicle 1) from an interior space SP1 through the windshield 6. The front camera 10 is, for example, a digital camera that uses a solid-state imaging element such as a CCD or CMOS. The front camera 10 includes a lens that converges light incident from the front through the windshield 6, and a sensor that converts the light converged by the lens into an electrical signal. Note that an arrow P in FIG. 2 indicates the field of view (captureable range) of the front camera 10.

[0034] 2, the front camera 10 is attached to the inner surface of the windshield 6 via a bracket 11. The bracket 11 includes a main body 12 arranged around the front camera 10 and a hood 13 extending forward from the main body 12. The main body 12 is fixed to the inner surface of the windshield 6. The hood 13, together with the windshield 6, surrounds the space in front of the lens of the front camera 10. The hood 13 includes a bottom wall 13A extending in the left-right direction, and left and right side walls 13B (only the right side wall 13B is shown in FIG. 2) extending upward from both left and right end portions of the bottom wall 13A.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 3, the vehicle 1 is equipped with a propulsion device 14, a braking device 15, a steering device 16, an HMI 17 (Human Machine Interface: an example of an input device), a navigation device 18 (an example of a position identification unit and a map information storage unit), a heating device 19 (an example of an anti-fogging device), an air conditioning device 20, an occupant sensor 21, an external sensor 22, a vehicle sensor 23, a battery 24, and a control device 26.

[0036] The propulsion device 14 is a device that applies driving force to the vehicle 1. The propulsion device 14 includes an electric motor 14A (an example of a driving source). The electric motor 14A rotates the wheels to generate driving force for running the vehicle 1.

[0037] The braking device 15 is a device that applies braking force to the vehicle 1. The braking device 15 includes, for example, a brake caliper that presses a pad against a brake rotor, and an electric cylinder that supplies hydraulic pressure to the brake caliper.

[0038] The steering device 16 is a device that changes the steering angle of the wheels. The steering device 16 includes, for example, a rack and pinion mechanism that steers the wheels, and an electric motor that drives the rack and pinion mechanism.

[0039] The HMI 17 is a device that notifies the occupant of various information and receives input operations from the occupant. The HMI 17 includes, for example, a power switch 17A for switching the power state of the vehicle 1, a touch panel, a sound generating device, and the like.

[0040] The navigation device 18 is a device that provides route guidance to the destination of the vehicle 1. The navigation device 18 stores map information. The navigation device 18 identifies the current position (coordinates) of the vehicle 1 based on GNSS signals (e.g., GPS signals) received from artificial satellites. The navigation device 18 sets a route from the departure point (e.g., current position) of the vehicle 1 to the destination based on the map information, the current position of the vehicle 1, and the destination of the vehicle 1 input by the occupant to the input device.

[0041] The heating device 19 is a device that heats the windshield 6 to prevent fogging of the windshield 6. Referring to FIG. 2, the heating device 19 is fixed to the rear surface of the bottom wall 13A of the hood portion 13 of the bracket 11, and is disposed at a distance from the windshield 6. The heating device 19 is made up of a plurality of heating wires (not shown). In other embodiments, the heating device 19 may be built into the windshield 6, or may be in contact with the inner surface of the windshield 6.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 3, the air conditioner 20 is a device that conditions the air in the vehicle interior space SP1. The air conditioner 20 includes a duct connected to the vehicle interior space SP1 and the vehicle exterior space SP2, an evaporator and a heater core installed in the duct, a blower fan that generates an air flow in the duct, and an electric motor that drives the blower fan. The air conditioner 20 is configured to be able to switch between a set temperature, an air volume (the number of rotations of the blower fan), and an air conditioning mode. The air conditioning modes include, for example, an outside air introduction mode that introduces air from the vehicle exterior space SP2 into the vehicle interior space SP1, an inside air circulation mode that circulates air from the vehicle interior space SP1, and a defroster mode that blows air toward the windshield 6.

[0043] The occupant sensor 21 is a sensor that detects the riding state of an occupant. The occupant sensor 21 includes a seat belt sensor 35 that detects whether the occupant is wearing a seat belt, and an occupant camera 36 that photographs the occupant.

[0044] The external sensor 22 is a sensor that detects objects present in the external space SP2 (for example, obstacles and lane markings on the road on which the vehicle 1 is traveling). The external sensor 22 includes the front camera 10, the sonar 38, and the external camera 39.

[0045] The vehicle sensor 23 is a sensor that detects the state of components of the vehicle 1. The vehicle sensor 23 includes a door sensor 41 that detects the open / close state of the side door 8, and a charge sensor 42 that detects the charge state of the battery 24.

[0046] The battery 24 is a device that supplies power to components of the vehicle 1. For example, the battery 24 supplies power to the electric motor 14A and the heating device 19. The battery 24 is provided so as to be connectable to a charging device 48 that is provided outside the vehicle 1.

[0047] The control device 26 is an electronic control unit (ECU) comprising a computer equipped with an arithmetic processing unit (a processor such as a CPU or MPU) and a storage device (memory such as a ROM or RAM), and configured to execute various processes required for defogging control, which will be described later. The term "control device 26 is configured to execute various processes" means that the arithmetic processing unit (processor) constituting the control device 26 is programmed to read necessary data and application software from the storage device (memory) and execute predetermined arithmetic processes in accordance with the software. The control device 26 may be configured as a single piece of hardware, or may be configured as a unit consisting of multiple pieces of hardware. The control device 26 is connected to each component of the vehicle 1 via a communication network such as a CAN (Controller Area Network), and controls each component of the vehicle 1.

[0048] The control device 26 includes, as functional units, a power supply control unit 51, an external environment recognition unit 52, a driving control unit 53, an anti-fogging control unit 54, and a memory unit 55. At least a portion of the functional units of the control device 26 may be realized by hardware such as an LSI, an ASIC, or an FPGA, or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware.

[0049] The power supply control unit 51 of the control device 26 switches the power supply state of the vehicle 1 between a first power supply state and a second power supply state in response to an operation of the power supply switch 17A by the occupant. In the first power supply state, the power supply switch 17A is ON, and power can be supplied from the battery 24 to the electric motor 14A. In other words, the first power supply state is a power supply state in which the vehicle 1 is permitted to run. In contrast, in the second power supply state, the power supply switch 17A is OFF, and power supply from the battery 24 to the electric motor 14A is prohibited. In other words, the second power supply state is a power supply state in which the vehicle 1 is prohibited from running.

[0050] The external environment recognition unit 52 of the control device 26 recognizes the position of a target (e.g., an obstacle on the road on which the vehicle 1 is traveling, a dividing line, a preceding vehicle, etc.) existing in the vehicle exterior space SP2 based on the detection result of the external environment sensor 22. For example, the external environment recognition unit 52 recognizes the position of a target existing in front of the vehicle 1 by analyzing a change in density value on an image captured by the front camera 10.

[0051] The driving control unit 53 of the control device 26 executes driving control of the vehicle 1 based on the positions of targets (for example, obstacles on the road on which the vehicle 1 is traveling, lane markings, vehicles ahead, etc.) recognized by the external environment recognition unit 52. The driving control executed by the driving control unit 53 includes driving control corresponding to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

[0052] For example, the driving control unit 53 executes lane keeping control as driving control corresponding to the ADAS. In lane keeping control, the driving control unit 53 controls the steering device 16 so that the vehicle 1 travels at a reference position (for example, the center of the lane in the width direction) within a lane defined by dividing lines. For example, the driving control unit 53 executes vehicle-in-front following control as driving control corresponding to the ADAS. In vehicle-in-front following control, the driving control unit 53 controls the propulsion device 14 and the braking device 15 so that the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle 1 and the vehicle in front is maintained within a predetermined range.

[0053] The defogging control unit 54 of the control device 26 controls the heating device 19 to suppress fogging of the front windshield 6. For example, the defogging control unit 54 controls the heating device 19 by PWM control based on the detection results of the vehicle sensor 23, etc.

[0054] The storage unit 55 of the control device 26 is configured with a memory, a HDD, etc. The storage unit 55 stores programs, tables, etc. necessary for controlling the vehicle 1. For example, the storage unit 55 stores a specific facility table T, which will be described later.

[0055] For the sake of convenience, the functional units of the control device 26 will be simply referred to as the "control device 26" below without distinction.

[0056] <Specific facility table T> Referring to FIG. 4, the specific facility table T is a table that stores information about specific facilities. Here, a specific facility is a facility that exists in the area where the vehicle 1 is traveling, and where the interior space SP1 of the vehicle may become excessively humid when a passenger who has used the facility gets into the vehicle 1. In other words, a specific facility is a facility that requires passengers to engage in activities that will raise their body temperature. For example, specific facilities include bathing facilities such as hot springs and public baths, and exercise facilities such as sports gyms and gymnasiums.

[0057] The specific facility table T holds information about a specific facility, such as the name, type (bathing facility or exercise facility), location, etc. For example, the location of a specific facility is represented by area data indicating the range of the specific facility.

[0058] <Crew Terminal 57> Next, an occupant terminal 57 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The occupant terminal 57 is carried by the occupant and travels with the occupant. The occupant terminal 57, together with the vehicle 1, constitutes an anti-fogging system X for the vehicle 1.

[0059] The crew terminal 57 is a computer including a CPU, memory, a storage device, etc. The crew terminal 57 is configured by a portable terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet PC. The crew terminal 57 identifies the current position of the crew member based on a GNSS signal (e.g., a GPS signal) received from an artificial satellite. The crew terminal 57 is connected to the control device 26 via a network N such as the Internet, and transmits the identified current position of the crew member to the control device 26.

[0060] <Anti-fog control> Next, the defogging control executed by the control device 26 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The defogging control is a control for suppressing fogging of the portion of the windshield 6 in front of the front camera 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as "windshield 6") after an occupant who has used a specific facility gets into the vehicle 1.

[0061] When the defogging control is started, the control device 26 acquires the current position of the vehicle 1 from the navigation device 18 (step ST1).

[0062] Next, the control device 26 determines whether the vehicle 1 is parked at a specific facility based on the current position of the vehicle 1 acquired from the navigation device 18 and the position of the specific facility stored in the specific facility table T (step ST2). For example, if the current position of the vehicle 1 matches the position of the specific facility (if the current position of the vehicle 1 is within the range of the specific facility), the control device 26 determines that the vehicle 1 is parked at the specific facility. On the other hand, if the current position of the vehicle 1 does not match the position of the specific facility (if the current position of the vehicle 1 is not within the range of the specific facility), the control device 26 determines that the vehicle 1 is not parked at the specific facility.

[0063] If the vehicle 1 is not parked at a specific facility (step ST2: No), the control device 26 ends the defogging control without operating the defogging device.

[0064] If the vehicle 1 is parked at a specific facility (step ST2: Yes), the control device 26 acquires the current location of the occupant from the occupant terminal 57 (step ST3).

[0065] Next, the control device 26 determines whether the occupant who used the specific facility has approached the vehicle 1 to within a predetermined reference distance, based on the current position of the vehicle 1 acquired from the navigation device 18 and the current position of the occupant acquired from the occupant terminal 57 (step ST4). For example, the control device 26 calculates the distance between the vehicle 1 and the occupant based on the current position of the vehicle 1 and the current position of the occupant. If the distance between the vehicle 1 and the occupant exceeds the reference distance and then becomes equal to or less than the reference distance, the control device 26 determines that the occupant who used the specific facility has approached the vehicle 1 to within the reference distance. In other cases (for example, if the distance between the vehicle 1 and the occupant does not exceed the reference distance or if the distance between the vehicle 1 and the occupant remains greater than the reference distance), the control device 26 determines that the occupant who used the specific facility has not approached the vehicle 1 to within the reference distance.

[0066] If the occupant who has used the specific facility has not approached the vehicle 1 within the reference distance (step ST4: No), the control device 26 repeats the determination in step ST4 until the determination in step ST4 becomes Yes. Note that if the determination in step ST4 becomes No a predetermined number of times in succession, the control device 26 may end the defogging control without operating the heating device 19.

[0067] When an occupant who has used a specific facility approaches the vehicle 1 within a reference distance (step ST4: Yes), the control device 26 activates the heating device 19 (step ST5). As a result, the heating device 19 heats the windshield 6, and fogging of the windshield 6 is suppressed.

[0068] The control device 26 executes the above-described defogging control when the power supply state of the vehicle 1 is the second power supply state. Therefore, when the power supply state of the vehicle 1 is the second power supply state, the control device 26 starts operation of the heating device 19 in step ST5 of the defogging control.

[0069] <Effects> If an occupant has engaged in an activity that increases body temperature (for example, bathing or exercising) immediately before getting into vehicle 1, the occupant may sweat and emit a large amount of water vapor, which may cause excessive humidification of interior space SP1. If interior space SP1 becomes excessively humidified in this way, the moist air in interior space SP1 may be cooled by windshield 6, causing windshield 6 to fog up.

[0070] In particular, because the heating device 19 is fixed to the rear surface of the bracket 11, it indirectly heats the windshield 6 via the bracket 11 and the air in front of the front camera 10. As a result, there is a time lag between when the heating device 19 starts operating and when the temperature of the windshield 6 increases. Therefore, when the interior space SP1 is excessively humidified as described above, it is usually difficult to increase the temperature of the windshield 6 immediately in response to the increase in the amount of water vapor in the interior space SP1, increasing the possibility that the windshield 6 will fog up.

[0071] Therefore, the control device 26 determines whether the vehicle 1 is parked at a specific facility (a facility where the interior space SP1 may become excessively humidified when an occupant who has used the facility gets into the vehicle 1), and when the vehicle 1 is parked at the specific facility, it operates the heating device 19. As a result, when the interior space SP1 may become excessively humidified when an occupant gets into the vehicle 1, the heating device 19 is operated, thereby making it possible to suppress fogging of the front windshield 6.

[0072] Furthermore, the control device 26 activates the heating device 19 when an occupant who has visited a specific facility approaches the vehicle 1 within a reference distance. This allows the heating device 19 to be activated before the occupant who has visited the specific facility gets into the vehicle 1 (before the power supply state of the vehicle 1 switches from the second power supply state to the first power supply state). This makes it possible to more effectively suppress fogging of the windshield 6.

[0073] Furthermore, by operating the heating device 19 before an occupant who has used a specific facility gets into the vehicle 1, it is possible to effectively prevent the front windshield 6 from fogging up immediately after the occupant gets into the vehicle 1. Therefore, even immediately after the occupant gets into the vehicle 1, the front camera 10 can capture a clear image of the exterior space SP2, and the ADAS can be executed based on the image captured by the front camera 10. Therefore, the period during which the ADAS can be executed can be extended.

[0074] <Modification> In the first embodiment described above, the specific facility table T stored in the control device 26 holds information about the specific facility. In other embodiments, the map information stored in the navigation device 18 may hold information about the specific facility (for example, the location of the specific facility). In this case, the control device 26 may acquire the location of the specific facility from the navigation device 18, and determine that the vehicle 1 is parked at the specific facility if the current location of the vehicle 1 matches the location of the specific facility. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the map information stored in a map server provided outside the vehicle 1 may hold information about the specific facility (for example, the location of the specific facility). In this case, the control device 26 may acquire the location of the specific facility from the map server, and determine that the vehicle 1 is parked at the specific facility if the current location of the vehicle 1 matches the location of the specific facility.

[0075] In the first embodiment described above, when the vehicle 1 is parked at a specific facility and an occupant who has used the specific facility approaches the vehicle 1 to a reference distance, the control device 26 operates the heating device 19. In other embodiments, when the vehicle 1 is parked at a specific facility, the control device 26 may operate the heating device 19 regardless of whether an occupant who has used the specific facility approaches the vehicle 1 to a reference distance.

[0076] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Note that the second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except for the anti-fogging control executed by the control device 26, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, steps ST11 and ST12 of the anti-fogging control according to the second embodiment are similar to steps ST1 and ST2 of the anti-fogging control according to the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0077] <Anti-fog control> If the vehicle 1 is parked at a specific facility (step ST12: Yes), the control device 26 causes the HMI 17 to accept input of the operation start time by the occupant, and acquires the operation start time from the HMI 17 (step ST13). Here, the operation start time refers to the time when the operation of the heating device 19 starts. For example, the operation start time is set to the time immediately before the occupant who has used the specific facility gets into the vehicle 1.

[0078] Next, the control device 26 determines whether the operation start time has arrived based on the current time and the operation start time (step ST14). For example, the control device 26 determines that the operation start time has arrived when the current time matches the operation start time.

[0079] If the operation start time has not arrived (step ST14: No), the control device 26 repeats the determination in step ST14 until the determination in step ST14 becomes Yes.

[0080] If the operation start time has arrived (step ST14: Yes), the control device 26 operates the heating device 19 (step ST15). As a result, the heating device 19 heats the windshield 6, and fogging of the windshield 6 is suppressed.

[0081] <Modification> In the second embodiment, the HMI 17 accepts input of the operation start time by the occupant. In other embodiments, the occupant terminal 57 may accept input of the operation start time by the occupant. In other words, the HMI 17 may be used as an input device, or the occupant terminal 57 may be used as an input device.

[0082] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Note that the third embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except for the anti-fogging control executed by the control device 26, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, steps ST21 and ST22 of the anti-fogging control according to the third embodiment are similar to steps ST1 and ST2 of the anti-fogging control according to the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0083] <Anti-fog control> If the vehicle 1 is parked at a specific facility (step ST22: Yes), the control device 26 causes the HMI 17 to accept input of the planned boarding time by the occupant, and acquires the planned boarding time from the HMI 17 (step ST23). Here, the planned boarding time refers to the planned time when the occupant who has used the specific facility will board the vehicle 1 (i.e., the planned time when the occupant who has used the specific facility will return to the vehicle 1).

[0084] Next, the control device 26 sets the operation start time to a time that is a predetermined time earlier than the scheduled boarding time (step ST24). Here, the operation start time refers to the time when the operation of the heating device 19 starts.

[0085] Next, the control device 26 determines whether the operation start time has arrived based on the current time and the operation start time (step ST25). For example, the control device 26 determines that the operation start time has arrived when the current time matches the operation start time.

[0086] If the operation start time has not arrived (step ST25: No), the control device 26 repeats the determination in step ST25 until the determination in step ST25 becomes Yes.

[0087] If the operation start time has arrived (step ST25: Yes), the control device 26 operates the heating device 19 (step ST26). As a result, the heating device 19 heats the windshield 6, and fogging of the windshield 6 is suppressed.

[0088] <Modification> In the third embodiment, the HMI 17 accepts input of the planned boarding time by the occupant. In other embodiments, the occupant terminal 57 may accept input of the planned boarding time by the occupant. In other words, the HMI 17 may be used as an input device, or the occupant terminal 57 may be used as an input device.

[0089] (Fourth embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Note that the fourth embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except for the anti-fogging control executed by the control device 26, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, steps ST31 and ST32 of the anti-fogging control according to the fourth embodiment are similar to steps ST1 and ST2 of the anti-fogging control according to the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0090] If the vehicle 1 is parked at a specific facility (step ST32: Yes), the control device 26 determines whether the occupant has exited the vehicle 1 based on information from the seat belt sensor 35 and the door sensor 41 (step ST33). For example, the control device 26 determines that the occupant has exited the vehicle 1 when the seat belt sensor 35 detects that the occupant has released the seat belt and the door sensor 41 detects that the side door 8 has opened or closed. On the other hand, the control device 26 determines that the occupant has not exited the vehicle 1 when the seat belt sensor 35 does not detect that the occupant has released the seat belt or when the door sensor 41 does not detect that the side door 8 has opened or closed.

[0091] If the occupant has not exited the vehicle 1 (step ST33: No), the control device 26 repeats the determination in step ST33 until the determination in step ST33 becomes Yes. Note that if the determination in step ST33 becomes No a predetermined number of times in succession, the control device 26 may end the defogging control without operating the heating device 19.

[0092] If the occupant dismounts from the vehicle 1 (step ST33: Yes), the control device 26 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the time the occupant dismounted from the vehicle 1 (hereinafter referred to as the "dismounting time") (step ST34). The predetermined time may be input by the occupant into the HMI 17 or the occupant terminal 57, or may be set by the control device 26 based on the occupant's past behavior record, etc.

[0093] If the predetermined time has not elapsed since the disembarking time (step ST34: No), the control device 26 repeats the determination in step ST34 until the determination in step ST34 becomes Yes.

[0094] If a predetermined time has elapsed since the disembarking time (step ST34: Yes), the control device 26 operates the heating device 19 (step ST35). As a result, the heating device 19 heats the windshield 6, and fogging of the windshield 6 is suppressed.

[0095] <Modification> In the above-described fourth embodiment, the control device 26 determines whether or not the occupant has exited the vehicle 1 based on information from the seat belt sensor 35 and the door sensor 41 (step ST33). In other embodiments, the control device 26 may determine whether or not the occupant has exited the vehicle 1 based on information from a component other than the seat belt sensor 35 and the door sensor 41 (for example, the occupant camera 36).

[0096] (Fifth embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Note that the fifth embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except for the anti-fogging control executed by the control device 26, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, steps ST41 and ST42 of the anti-fogging control according to the fifth embodiment are similar to steps ST1 and ST2 of the anti-fogging control according to the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0097] If the vehicle 1 is parked at a specific facility (step ST42: Yes), the control device 26 determines whether the battery 24 is being charged based on information from the charging sensor 42 (step ST43). For example, the control device 26 determines that the battery 24 is being charged when the charging sensor 42 detects a current flowing from the charging device 48 to the battery 24. On the other hand, the control device 26 determines that the battery 24 is not being charged when the charging sensor 42 does not detect a current flowing from the charging device 48 to the battery 24.

[0098] If the battery 24 is not being charged (step ST43: No), the control device 26 does not operate the heating device 19 and ends the defogging control.

[0099] If the battery 24 is being charged (step ST43: Yes), the control device 26 determines whether the charging rate of the battery 24 exceeds a predetermined threshold value based on information from the charging sensor 42 (step ST44).

[0100] If the charging rate of the battery 24 is equal to or lower than the threshold value (step ST44: No), the control device 26 repeats the determination of step ST44 until the determination of step ST44 becomes Yes. Note that if the determination of step ST44 becomes No a predetermined number of times in succession, the control device 26 may end the defogging control without operating the heating device 19.

[0101] If the charging rate of the battery 24 exceeds the threshold value (step ST44: Yes), the control device 26 operates the heating device 19 (step ST45). As a result, the heating device 19 heats the windshield 6, and fogging of the windshield 6 is suppressed.

[0102] <Modification> In the fifth embodiment described above, the control device 26 operates the heating device 19 when the battery 24 is being charged and the charging rate of the battery 24 exceeds a threshold. In other embodiments, the control device 26 may operate the heating device 19 when the battery 24 is being charged or when the charging rate of the battery 24 exceeds a threshold. In still other embodiments, the control device 26 may operate the heating device 19 when the battery 24 is being charged, regardless of whether the charging rate of the battery 24 exceeds a threshold. Similarly, the control device 26 may operate the heating device 19 when the charging rate of the battery 24 exceeds a threshold, regardless of whether the battery 24 is being charged.

[0103] The anti-fogging controls according to the first to fifth embodiments can be freely combined. For example, in the anti-fogging controls according to the first to fourth embodiments, a step of determining whether the battery 24 is being charged (step ST43 in the fifth embodiment) may be added, so that the control device 26 operates the heating device 19 only when the battery 24 is being charged.

[0104] In the first to fifth embodiments described above, the propulsion device 14 is equipped with an electric motor 14A as a drive source. In other embodiments, the propulsion device 14 may be equipped with an internal combustion engine as a drive source. In such cases where the propulsion device 14 is equipped with an internal combustion engine as a drive source, it is preferable that a state in which the ignition power of the vehicle 1 is on be set as a first power supply state, and a state in which the ignition power of the vehicle 1 is off be set as a second power supply state.

[0105] In the first to fifth embodiments, the heating device 19 is used as the anti-fogging device. In other embodiments, the air conditioning device 20 may be used as the anti-fogging device. In this case, the control device 26 may operate the air conditioning device 20 in defroster mode when the vehicle 1 is parked at a specific facility. This causes the air conditioning device 20 to blow air toward the windshield 6, thereby suppressing fogging of the windshield 6.

[0106] In the above first to fifth embodiments, the anti-fogging system X prevents fogging of the front window 6, but in other embodiments, the anti-fogging system X may also prevent fogging of the rear window 7 or the side windows 9. In other words, in the above first to fifth embodiments, the front camera 10 is an example of an image capturing device, but in other embodiments, a rear camera or a side camera (neither of which is shown) may be an example of an image capturing device.

[0107] Although the description of the specific embodiment has been completed above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and its modifications, and can be modified in a wide range of ways. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 1: Vehicle 6: Front window (example of a window) 10: Front camera (example of a camera) 14A: Electric motor (an example of a driving source) 17: HMI (an example of an input device) 18: Navigation device (an example of a location identification unit and a map information storage unit) 19: Heating device (an example of an anti-fogging device) 24: Battery 26: Control device 57: Crew terminal SP1: Car interior space SP2: Space outside the vehicle T: Specific facility table X: Anti-fog system

Claims

1. An anti-fogging system for a vehicle equipped with a photographing device that photographs an exterior space of the vehicle through a window from an interior space of the vehicle, a location identification unit that identifies a current location of the vehicle; an anti-fogging device for suppressing fogging of the window; a control device for controlling the anti-fogging device; an occupant terminal carried by an occupant and configured to identify the current location of the occupant; The control device retaining or acquiring information on specific facilities that are present in an area where the vehicle is traveling and that may cause excessive humidification of the interior space of the vehicle when the occupant using the facility gets into the vehicle; acquiring a current position of the vehicle from the position specifying unit; determining whether the vehicle is parked at the specific facility based on the current location of the vehicle and information about the specific facility; When the vehicle is parked at the specific facility, the current location of the occupant is acquired from the occupant terminal; determining whether the occupant who has used the specific facility has approached the vehicle within a predetermined reference distance based on the current position of the vehicle and the current position of the occupant; An anti-fogging system that activates the anti-fogging device when the occupant who has used the specific facility approaches the vehicle within the reference distance.

2. An anti-fogging system for a vehicle equipped with a photographing device that photographs an exterior space of the vehicle through a window from an interior space of the vehicle, a location identification unit that identifies a current location of the vehicle; an anti-fogging device for suppressing fogging of the window; a control device for controlling the anti-fogging device; an input device that accepts input of an operation start time that is a time when the operation of the anti-fogging device is to be started, The control device retaining or acquiring information on specific facilities that are present in an area where the vehicle is traveling and that may cause excessive humidification of the interior space of the vehicle when a passenger using the facility gets into the vehicle; acquiring a current position of the vehicle from the position specifying unit; determining whether the vehicle is parked at the specific facility based on the current location of the vehicle and information about the specific facility; When the vehicle is parked at the specific facility, the operation start time is acquired from the input device; The anti-fogging system operates the anti-fogging device when the operation start time arrives.

3. An anti-fogging system for a vehicle equipped with a photographing device that photographs an exterior space of the vehicle through a window from an interior space of the vehicle, a location identification unit that identifies a current location of the vehicle; an anti-fogging device for suppressing fogging of the window; a control device for controlling the anti-fogging device; an input device that receives an input of a scheduled boarding time, which is a time when a passenger who has used a specific facility that is present in an area where the vehicle is traveling and that may cause excessive humidification of the interior space of the vehicle when the passenger who has used the facility boards the vehicle is scheduled to board the vehicle; The control device Holding or obtaining information about said specific facility; acquiring a current position of the vehicle from the position specifying unit; determining whether the vehicle is parked at the specific facility based on the current location of the vehicle and information about the specific facility; When the vehicle is parked at the specific facility, the planned boarding time is acquired from the input device; setting a time that is a predetermined time earlier than the scheduled boarding time as an operation start time that is a time at which the operation of the defogging device is to be started; The anti-fogging system operates the anti-fogging device when the operation start time arrives.

4. An anti-fogging system for a vehicle equipped with a photographing device that photographs an exterior space of the vehicle through a window from an interior space of the vehicle, a location identification unit that identifies a current location of the vehicle; an anti-fogging device for suppressing fogging of the window; a control device that controls the anti-fogging device, The control device retaining or acquiring information on specific facilities that are present in an area where the vehicle is traveling and that may cause excessive humidification of the interior space of the vehicle when a passenger using the facility gets into the vehicle; acquiring a current position of the vehicle from the position specifying unit; determining whether the vehicle is parked at the specific facility based on the current location of the vehicle and information about the specific facility; When the vehicle is parked at the specific facility, determining whether the occupant has exited the vehicle; When the occupant gets off the vehicle, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the occupant got off the vehicle; The anti-fogging system activates the anti-fogging device when the predetermined time has elapsed since the occupant got out of the vehicle.

5. a drive source that generates a drive force for running the vehicle; a battery that supplies power to the driving source and the anti-fogging device, The control device When the vehicle is parked at the specific facility, determining whether the battery is being charged; The anti-fogging system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the anti-fogging device is operated when the battery is being charged.

6. a drive source that generates a drive force for running the vehicle; a battery that supplies power to the driving source and the anti-fogging device, The control device When the vehicle is parked at the specific facility, determining whether the charging rate of the battery exceeds a predetermined threshold; The anti-fogging system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the anti-fogging device is operated when the charging rate of the battery exceeds the threshold value.

7. The control device The location of the specific facility is stored as information about the specific facility; 5. The anti-fogging system according to claim 1, wherein the system determines that the vehicle is parked at the specific facility when the current position of the vehicle coincides with the position of the specific facility.

8. a map information storage unit that stores map information of an area in which the vehicle is traveling; the map information includes a location of the specific facility as information about the specific facility; The control device acquiring the location of the specific facility from the map information storage unit; 5. The anti-fogging system according to claim 1, wherein the system determines that the vehicle is parked at the specific facility when the current position of the vehicle coincides with the position of the specific facility.

9. The control device a power supply state of the vehicle is switched between a first power supply state in which the vehicle is permitted to travel and a second power supply state in which the vehicle is prohibited from traveling; The anti-fogging system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the vehicle is parked at the specific facility and the power supply state of the vehicle is the second power supply state, the anti-fogging device starts operating.

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