Seat heater control unit

Abstract

To provide a seat heater control device capable of setting temperature of a seat heater in accordance with a blow-out temperature of an air conditioner.SOLUTION: A seat heater control device used in a movable body including a seat and a seat heater includes a first acquisition part for acquiring a seat surface temperature showing the temperature of the seat, a second acquisition part for allowing an air conditioner control device provided by the movable body to acquire a target blow-out temperature to be outputted on the basis of air-conditioning information, a calculation part for calculating a target seat heater temperature corresponding to a current value flowing to the seat heater on the basis of the seat surface temperature acquired by the first acquisition part and the target blow-out temperature acquired by the second acquisition part, and a control part for performing control for outputting current corresponding to the target seat heater temperature to the seat heater in the case that the seat surface temperature acquired by the first acquisition part falls below the target seat heater temperature calculated by the calculation part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat heater control device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a seat heater mounted under a vehicle seat adjusts the temperature by detecting the position and movement of a user sitting on the seat, and warms the seat.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, some users may feel uncomfortable with the seat temperature. For example, even if the seat temperature is the same, some users may feel too hot or, on the other hand, too cold, which may cause discomfort to the user, so there is room for further improvement.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a seat heater control device capable of setting the temperature of a seat heater according to the blowing temperature of an air conditioner.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] This configuration calculates a target seat heater temperature based on the seat surface temperature and target air outlet temperature, corresponding to the current flowing through the seat heater, and controls the output of a current corresponding to the calculated target seat heater temperature. Therefore, the current flowing through the seat heater can be adjusted according to the air conditioner's outlet temperature, thereby suppressing discomfort caused to the user by changes in seat temperature.

[0008] Furthermore, the air conditioning information may include at least one of the following: in-cabin temperature, outside air temperature, solar radiation, and in-cabin set temperature. In addition, the control unit may feed back the target outlet temperature acquired by the second acquisition unit to the target seat heater temperature.

[0009] In this configuration, the control unit provides feedback to the calculation unit regarding the target seat heater temperature, thereby adjusting the target seat heater temperature up or down. By adjusting the target seat heater temperature in conjunction with the air conditioner outlet temperature, the temperature difference between the seat heater and the vehicle interior is reduced. Therefore, the user experiences no noticeable temperature changes, and discomfort with the seat temperature is reduced.

[0010] Furthermore, the control unit may output an instruction to the air conditioning control unit to reduce the amount of conditioned air output by the air conditioning unit when current flows to the seat heater. With this configuration, for example, if the vehicle is an electric vehicle (for example, a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle), the power consumption load on the battery can be suppressed by adjusting the operation of the air conditioning unit 10 (reducing the amount of conditioned air), and the energy efficiency of the electric vehicle can be improved. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, the current flowing to the seat heater can be adjusted according to the air conditioner outlet temperature. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a mobile air conditioning system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a seat heater control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a functional configuration diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a seat heater control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the seat heater temperature setting according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of seat heater control performed by the seat heater control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of seat heater control performed by a modified seat heater control device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] (Vehicle air conditioning system) Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a vehicle air conditioning system. The vehicle air conditioning system is an example of an air conditioning system for a mobile vehicle. The vehicle air conditioning system 100 is a system that adjusts the temperature of the interior space of a vehicle (not shown).

[0015] The vehicle air conditioning system 100 includes a seat heater control device 1, a seat heater 2, a seat temperature sensor 3, a seat heater operation panel 4, an air conditioner control device 5, an interior temperature sensor 6, an outside air temperature sensor 7, a solar radiation sensor 8, an air conditioner operation panel 9, and an air conditioner unit 10. Note that the components included in the vehicle air conditioning system 100 are not limited to these.

[0016] The seat heater control device 1 controls the seat heater 2 based on signals output from the seat temperature sensor 3 and the seat heater operation panel 4, which will be described later, and air conditioning information output from the air conditioner control device 5. Note that the functions of the seat heater control device 1 will be described later. Also, the detailed description of the air conditioning information will be described later.

[0017] The seat heater 2 is a well-known member that is disposed inside a seat (not shown) in the vehicle interior and adjusts the temperature of the seat. The seat heater 2 outputs a current corresponding to the target seat heater temperature based on the target seat heater temperature calculated by the seat heater control device 1.

[0018] The seat temperature sensor 3 is a well-known member that is disposed inside a seat (not shown) in the vehicle interior, for example, at the seating position of a user boarding the vehicle, and detects the temperature of the seat. The seat temperature sensor 3 outputs a seat temperature signal corresponding to the detected seat temperature to the seat heater control device 1. The seat temperature sensor 3 is, for example, a thermistor. Note that the seat temperature sensor 3 is not limited to the user's seating position and may be disposed on the backrest surface of the seat.

[0019] The seat heater operation panel 4 is a well-known member that is disposed near the instrument panel (not shown) of the vehicle and adjusts the ON / OFF function of the seat heater 2 operated by the user. The seat heater operation panel 4 outputs an ON / OFF signal corresponding to the ON / OFF function of the seat adjusted by the user to the seat heater control device 1.

[0020] In addition, the ON / OFF function of the seat heater 2 can adjust the sensitivity of the seat heater. The seat heater sensitivity represents the degree of the feeling perceived by the user. The adjustment of the seat heater sensitivity is provided because the temperature sensations perceived by each user are different. For example, even if the temperature is the same, if there is a difference between the temperature inside the vehicle cabin and the temperature of the seat surface, each user may feel cold or hot. Therefore, the setting of the seat heater sensitivity is provided in, for example, three levels: low, normal, and high. The setting of the seat sensitivity is not limited to this. This can improve the convenience for the user.

[0021] The air conditioner control device 5 controls the air conditioner unit 10 based on signals (hereinafter also referred to as air conditioning information) output by an internal air temperature sensor 6, an outside air temperature sensor 7, a solar radiation sensor 8, and an air conditioner operation panel 9, which will be described later. Specifically, the air conditioner control device 5 acquires signals output by the internal air temperature sensor 6, the outside air temperature sensor 7, the solar radiation sensor 8, and the air conditioner operation panel 9. The air conditioner control device 5 calculates a target blowing temperature (hereinafter also referred to as TAO (Temperature Air Outlet)) for outputting conditioned air based on the acquired air conditioning information. The air conditioning information includes at least one of the temperature inside the vehicle cabin, the outside air temperature, the solar radiation amount, and the set temperature inside the vehicle cabin.

[0022] The air conditioner control device 5 outputs a target blowing temperature signal corresponding to the calculated target blowing temperature to the air conditioner unit 10. The air conditioner control device 5 outputs a target blowing temperature signal corresponding to the calculated target blowing temperature to the seat heater control device 1.

[0023] The internal air temperature sensor 6 is a well-known member that is disposed inside the vehicle (inside the vehicle cabin) and detects the air temperature inside the vehicle cabin. The internal air temperature sensor 6 outputs an internal air temperature signal corresponding to the detected air temperature inside the vehicle cabin to the air conditioner control device 5.

[0024] The outside air temperature sensor 7 is a well-known member that is disposed outside the vehicle (outside the vehicle) and detects the air temperature outside the vehicle. The outside air temperature sensor 7 outputs an outside air temperature signal corresponding to the detected air temperature outside the vehicle to the air conditioner control device 5.

[0025] The solar radiation sensor 8 is a well-known component that is placed inside the front windshield (not shown) of a vehicle and detects the amount of solar radiation entering the vehicle's interior. The solar radiation sensor 8 outputs a solar radiation signal corresponding to the detected amount of solar radiation to the air conditioning control device 5.

[0026] The air conditioning control panel 9 is a well-known component located near the vehicle's instrument panel, used by the user to adjust the set temperature inside the vehicle. The air conditioning control panel 9 outputs an in-vehicle temperature signal corresponding to the set temperature inside the vehicle adjusted by the user to the air conditioning control device 5.

[0027] The air conditioning unit 10 is a well-known component that outputs conditioned air from an air outlet (not shown) inside the vehicle cabin. Based on the target air outlet temperature signal calculated by the air conditioning control device 5, the air conditioning unit 10 outputs conditioned air corresponding to the target air outlet temperature signal from the air outlet.

[0028] (Hardware configuration) The hardware configuration of the seat heater control device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the seat heater control device 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is also a hardware configuration diagram of the air conditioner control device 5. The hardware configuration of the air conditioner control device 5 is the same as that of the seat heater control device 1. Therefore, please refer to the following description of the hardware configuration of the seat heater control device 1 for the hardware configuration of the air conditioner control device 5.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the seat heater control device 1 is built using a computer and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, an external I / F (Interface) 14, and an auxiliary storage device 15. These components are connected to each other via a bus 16 so that they can communicate data with one another.

[0030] The CPU 11 is an arithmetic unit that controls the operation of the entire seat heater control device 1. The ROM 12 is a non-volatile memory device that stores programs that the CPU 11 executes first, such as an IPL (Initial Program Loader). The RAM 13 is a volatile memory device used as the work area of ​​the CPU 11. The CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 may be configured as a System on a Chip (SoC) mounted on a single board, for example.

[0031] External I / F 14 is, for example, an interface for connecting to external devices and communicating data. Auxiliary storage device 15 is an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), eMMC (embedded Multi Media Card), or microSD card that stores various data such as programs used in the control processing of the seat heater control device 1.

[0032] Next, the functions of the seat heater control device 1 will be explained using Figure 3.

[0033] (Functional Configuration) Figure 3 is a functional configuration diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the seat heater control device 1.

[0034] The seat heater control device 1 comprises a first acquisition unit 101, a second acquisition unit 102, a third acquisition unit 103, a calculation unit 104, a determination unit 105, and a control unit 106. However, the functions of the seat heater control device 1 are not limited to these.

[0035] The first acquisition unit 101 acquires the seat temperature. Specifically, the first acquisition unit 101 works in cooperation with the seat temperature sensor 3 to acquire the seat temperature (hereinafter also referred to as the seat surface temperature) that indicates the temperature of the seat on which the user is sitting. Note that the seat temperature is not limited to the position where the user is sitting, but may also include the backrest surface of the seat.

[0036] The second acquisition unit 102 acquires the target outlet temperature. Specifically, the second acquisition unit 102 acquires the target outlet temperature output by the air conditioner control device 5.

[0037] The third acquisition unit 103 acquires ON / OFF signals. Specifically, the third acquisition unit 103 works in cooperation with the seat heater operation panel 4 to acquire ON / OFF signals corresponding to the results of the ON / OFF operation performed by the user.

[0038] The calculation unit 104 calculates the target seat heater temperature based on the seat surface temperature, target outlet temperature, and ON / OFF signal. Specifically, when the ON / OFF signal acquired by the third acquisition unit 103 is ON, the calculation unit 104 calculates the target seat heater temperature corresponding to the current value flowing to the seat heater 2 based on the seat surface temperature acquired by the first acquisition unit 101 and the target outlet temperature acquired by the second acquisition unit 102.

[0039] The determination unit 105 determines whether the seat surface temperature exceeds the target seat heater temperature. Specifically, the determination unit 105 determines whether the seat surface temperature acquired by the first acquisition unit 101 exceeds the target seat heater temperature calculated by the calculation unit 104. The determination unit 105 may also determine whether the seat surface temperature exceeds the range of the target seat heater temperature (for example, a temperature threshold α is set, and the range is ±α of the target seat heater temperature). The processing determined by the determination unit 105 may also be performed by the control unit 106, which will be described later.

[0040] The control unit 106 controls the seat heater 2 based on the determination result. Specifically, if the determination unit 105 determines that the seat surface temperature exceeds the target seat heater temperature, the control unit 106 controls the seat heater 2 by not outputting current.

[0041] Furthermore, if the determination unit 105 determines that the seat surface temperature is below the target seat heater temperature, the control unit 106 controls the seat heater 2 to output a current corresponding to the target seat heater temperature, based on the target seat heater temperature calculated by the calculation unit 104.

[0042] Furthermore, the control unit 106 processes the target discharge temperature acquired by the second acquisition unit 102 and feeds it back to the target seat heater temperature calculated by the calculation unit 104.

[0043] Here, using Figure 4, we will explain the process by which the control unit 106 provides feedback to the target seat heater temperature. In the graph shown in Figure 4, the horizontal axis represents the target outlet temperature, and the vertical axis represents the target temperature level of the target seat heater temperature.

[0044] Referring to Figure 4, for example, if the target outlet temperature is high, the target temperature level will also be high. When the air conditioning unit 10 outputs conditioned air at a high outlet temperature, the temperature inside the vehicle gradually rises, so the target outlet temperature decreases. Since the target temperature level is linked to the target outlet temperature, when the target outlet temperature decreases, the target temperature level also decreases.

[0045] In other words, the control unit 106 feeds back the air outlet temperature output from the air conditioner control device 5 to the target seat heater temperature calculated by the calculation unit 104, thereby raising or lowering the target seat heater temperature calculated by the calculation unit 104. By raising or lowering the target seat heater temperature in conjunction with the air conditioner outlet temperature, the temperature difference with the vehicle interior space is reduced. As a result, the temperature change felt by the user is eliminated, and the user can reduce discomfort with the seat surface temperature.

[0046] Next, using Figure 5, we will explain the flow of seat heater control performed by the seat heater control device 1.

[0047] (Seat heater control) Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of seat heater control performed by the seat heater control device 1 according to this embodiment. In this process, for example, the user operates the seat heater control panel 4 to turn on the seat heater 2, and then the control of the seat heater 2 is started to reach a target seat heater temperature.

[0048] The first acquisition unit 101 works in cooperation with the seat temperature sensor 3 to acquire the seat surface temperature where the user is sitting (step S1). Next, the second acquisition unit 102 acquires the target outlet temperature output by the air conditioner control device 5 (step S2). Subsequently, the calculation unit 104 calculates the target seat heater temperature corresponding to the current value flowing to the seat heater 2 based on the seat surface temperature acquired by the first acquisition unit 101 and the target outlet temperature acquired by the second acquisition unit 102 (step S3).

[0049] Next, the determination unit 105 determines whether the seat surface temperature exceeds the target seat heater temperature (step S4). If the determination unit 105 determines that the seat surface temperature is below the target seat heater temperature (step S4: No), it proceeds to step S6. If the determination unit 105 determines that the seat surface temperature exceeds the target seat heater temperature (step S4: Yes), it proceeds to step S5.

[0050] If the seat surface temperature exceeds the target seat heater temperature, the control unit 106 controls the seat heater 2 so as not to output current (step S5). If the control unit 106 determines that the seat surface temperature is below the target seat heater temperature, it controls the seat heater 2 to output current corresponding to the target seat heater temperature based on the target seat heater temperature calculated by the calculation unit 104 (step S6).

[0051] When step S5 or step S6 is completed, the process returns to step S1. This process continues while the seat heater 2 is operating (the seat heater control panel is ON). In other words, the control unit 106 processes the target blown-out temperature acquired by the second acquisition unit 102 and feeds it back to the target seat heater temperature. This process also ends, for example, when the user operates the seat heater control panel 4 and turns the seat heater 2 OFF.

[0052] (Effects of this embodiment) As described above, the seat heater control device 1 according to this embodiment calculates a target seat heater temperature corresponding to the current value flowing through the seat heater 2, based on the seat surface temperature and the target discharge temperature. The seat heater control device 1 also performs control to output a current corresponding to the calculated target seat heater temperature.

[0053] Therefore, according to the present invention, the current flowing to the seat heater 2 can be adjusted according to the air conditioner outlet temperature, thereby suppressing discomfort caused to the user due to changes in seat temperature.

[0054] Furthermore, the seat heater control device 1 may also feed back the target air outlet temperature to the target seat heater temperature. With this configuration, the target air outlet temperature is fed back to the target seat heater temperature, and as a result, the target seat heater temperature is raised or lowered. By raising or lowering the target seat heater temperature in conjunction with the air conditioner's air outlet temperature, the temperature difference with the vehicle interior space is reduced. Therefore, the temperature changes that the user feels are eliminated, and the user can reduce discomfort with the seat surface temperature.

[0055] (modified version) The differences between the modified seat heater control device 1 and the seat heater control device 1 according to the above embodiment will be explained. In the above embodiment, the control unit 106 performed control processing on the seat heater 2. In this modified embodiment, the control unit 106 will be described in which it instructs the air conditioner control device 5 to adjust the air conditioning airflow when the seat heater 2 is operating.

[0056] For example, the control unit 106 controls the system to output a current corresponding to the target seat heater temperature, and then issues an instruction to the air conditioning control device 5 to adjust the air conditioning airflow. The instruction to the air conditioning control device 5 to adjust the airflow control is, for example, to reduce the amount of air conditioning air that the air conditioning unit 10 outputs from the outlet.

[0057] This process is based on the fact that the seat heater 2 and the air conditioning unit 10 operate by consuming the battery installed in the vehicle. For example, if the vehicle is an electric vehicle (such as a hybrid car or an electric vehicle), the load on the battery power consumption can be reduced by adjusting the operation of the air conditioning unit 10, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the electric vehicle.

[0058] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the control performed by the modified seat heater control device 1. Steps S1 to S6 are the same as those described in Figure 5.

[0059] The control unit 106 outputs an instruction to the air conditioner control device 5 to make adjustments (step S7). When step S7 is completed, the process returns to step S1. This process continues while the seat heater 2 is operating. In other words, the control unit 106 processes the target outlet temperature acquired by the second acquisition unit 102 and feeds it back to the target seat heater temperature.

[0060] As explained above, the modified seat heater control device 1 may also output an instruction to the air conditioning control device 5 to reduce the amount of conditioned air output by the air conditioning unit 10 when current flows to the seat heater 2. With this configuration, for example, if the vehicle is an electric vehicle (for example, a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle), the load on the battery power consumption can be suppressed by adjusting the operation of the air conditioning unit 10 (reducing the amount of conditioned air), and the energy efficiency of the electric vehicle can be improved.

[0061] Although this embodiment describes a seat heater control device for use in vehicles, it is not limited to this. For example, it can be applied to mobile bodies with enclosed interior spaces, such as ships, trains, and aircraft.

[0062] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Moreover, this embodiment is included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1. Seat heater control device 2 seat heaters 3. Sheet temperature sensor 4. Seat heater control panel 5. Air Conditioner Control Unit 6. Internal temperature sensor 7. Outdoor temperature sensor 8. Solar radiation sensor 9. Air conditioner control panel 10 Air conditioning units 11 CPU 12 ROM 13 RAM 14 External I / F 15 Auxiliary storage 16 bus 101 First acquisition part 102 Second acquisition part 103 Third acquisition part 104 Calculation Unit 105 Judgment section 106 Control Unit

Claims

1. A seat heater control device used in a mobile body equipped with a seat and a seat heater, A first acquisition unit acquires the seat surface temperature, which indicates the temperature of the aforementioned seat. The air conditioning control device equipped in the mobile unit includes a second acquisition unit that acquires a target outlet temperature for outputting conditioned air based on air conditioning information, A calculation unit calculates a target seat heater temperature corresponding to the current value flowing through the seat heater, based on the seat surface temperature acquired by the first acquisition unit and the target outlet temperature acquired by the second acquisition unit, such that the temperature difference between the seat surface temperature and the target outlet temperature is reduced. If the seat surface temperature acquired by the first acquisition unit falls below the target seat heater temperature calculated by the calculation unit, the control unit performs control to output a current corresponding to the target seat heater temperature to the seat heater. A seat heater control device equipped with [a specific feature].

2. The control unit feeds back the target discharge temperature acquired by the second acquisition unit to the target seat heater temperature. The seat heater control device according to claim 1.

3. When current flows to the seat heater, the control unit outputs an instruction to the air conditioning control device indicating that the air conditioning unit should reduce the amount of air conditioning air it outputs. The seat heater control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The aforementioned air conditioning information includes at least one of the following: interior temperature, outside temperature, solar radiation, and interior set temperature. A seat heater control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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