Air conditioning control system

Abstract

To provide an air-conditioning controller in which air-conditioning wind hardly obstructs communication with a person or a terminal outside a vehicle and confirmation of sound outside the vehicle.SOLUTION: An air-conditioning controller comprises: an air-conditioning unit that blows air-conditioning wind into a cabin of a vehicle; a control unit for controlling operation of the air-conditioning unit; a first acquisition unit for acquiring open / close information on a window of the vehicle; and a second acquisition unit for acquiring map information including a position of the vehicle and types of neighboring facilities of the vehicle. The control unit controls the operation of the air-conditioning unit so as to reduce the airflow rate of air-conditioning wind on the basis of the open / close information on the window acquired from the first acquisition unit and the map information acquired from the second acquisition unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning control device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 disclose an air conditioning control device that controls the operation of an air conditioning unit according to the situation when a vehicle window is opened.

[0003] In the technology of Patent Document 1, different controls are performed when the window is opened due to smoking and when the window is opened for the purpose of bringing the interior of the vehicle closer to the outside air temperature. When smoking is detected by a smoking sensor, it is determined that the window has been opened due to smoking, and automatic control continues to maintain the air conditioning environment in the vehicle interior at the set room temperature. When smoking is not detected by the smoking sensor, it is determined that the window has been opened for the purpose of bringing the interior of the vehicle closer to the outside air temperature, the air conditioning unit is maintained in the control state at the time when the window was opened, and automatic control is canceled and the air conditioning unit is switched to a mode in which it is manually operated.

[0004] In the technology of Patent Document 2, when it is determined that the heating load or the cooling load of the air conditioning unit is large, and it is detected that a vehicle door or window is in an open state, and the difference between the vehicle interior temperature holding value and the vehicle interior temperature exceeds a predetermined value, the operation amount of the air conditioning unit is restricted.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] At drive-throughs or toll booths, people often open their windows to converse or exchange banknotes. If the airflow from the cash register is too strong, it may be difficult to hear conversations or banknotes may be blown away. Similarly, when checking for railroad crossing sounds, if the airflow from the cash register is too strong, it may be difficult to hear the sounds.

[0007] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning control device that prevents interference with people or terminals outside the vehicle and with external sounds from being hindered by air conditioning airflow. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An air conditioning control device according to one aspect of the present invention is: An air conditioning unit that blows conditioned air into the passenger compartment of a vehicle, A control unit that controls the operation of the air conditioning unit, A first acquisition unit that acquires information on the opening and closing of the windows of the aforementioned vehicle, The system includes a second acquisition unit that acquires map information including the location of the vehicle and the type of facilities near the vehicle. The control unit controls the operation of the air conditioning unit to reduce the airflow rate of the air conditioning unit based on the window opening and closing information acquired from the first acquisition unit and the map information acquired from the second acquisition unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] In the air conditioning control device of the present invention, the airflow of the air conditioning is reduced based on window open / closed information and map information. This airflow control is performed based, for example, on window open / closed information such as "the window is open," the vehicle's current location, and the type of nearby facility of the vehicle, such as "a facility where it is necessary to accurately understand sounds from outside the vehicle." A "facility where it is necessary to accurately understand sounds from outside the vehicle" is a facility where voice communication takes place with people or terminals outside the vehicle, or a facility where the recognition of sounds from outside the vehicle is highly required. The former is, for example, a drive-through and a toll booth. The latter is, for example, a railway crossing. When the window is open and the vehicle is located at a drive-through or toll booth, reducing the airflow of the air conditioning makes it less likely for communication with people or terminals outside the vehicle, such as conversation or the exchange of banknotes, to be hindered by the airflow. When the window is open and the vehicle is located near a railway crossing, reducing the airflow of the air conditioning makes it less likely for the sound of the railway crossing's warning signal to be hindered by the airflow. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the air conditioning control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the control unit in the air conditioning control device of the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] A specific example of the air conditioning control device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, some parts of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified for the sake of explanation. The dimensional ratios of each part in the drawings may also differ from those of the actual components.

[0012] <Overview> As shown in Figure 1, the air conditioning control device 1 comprises an air conditioning unit 2, a control unit 3, a first data acquisition unit 4, and a second data acquisition unit 5. The air conditioning unit 2 blows conditioned air into the vehicle cabin. The control unit 3 controls the operation of the air conditioning unit 2. The first data acquisition unit 4 acquires information on the opening and closing of the vehicle's windows. The second data acquisition unit 5 acquires map information including the vehicle's location and the type of nearby facilities. One of the features of the air conditioning control device 1 is that the control unit 3 controls the operation of the air conditioning unit 2 to reduce the airflow rate based on the window opening and closing information and the map information. The following describes each component in detail.

[0013] <Air conditioning unit> The air conditioning unit 2 is located inside the instrument panel 9, as shown in Figure 1. In Figure 1, the air conditioning unit 2 is shown by a dashed line. Known configurations can be used for the air conditioning unit 2. Typically, the air conditioning unit 2 includes a blower fan (not shown), an evaporator, and a heater core. The blower fan blows air from outside or inside the vehicle to the evaporator and heater core. The evaporator is a heat exchanger for cooling and cools the conditioned air. The heater core is a heat exchanger for heating and heats the conditioned air. The air from the blower fan is first cooled by the evaporator and then adjusted to the desired temperature by the heater core. The amount of conditioned air blown into the vehicle interior is adjusted, for example, by the rotation speed of the blower fan.

[0014] The instrument panel 9 is provided with multiple openings through which conditioned air from the air conditioning unit 2 is blown into the passenger compartment. In this example, the openings include a center register 81, side registers 82 and 83, a front defroster 84, and side defrosters 85 and 86. The conditioned air conditioned by the air conditioning unit 2 is sent to each opening, such as the center register 81, through a duct (not shown). The conditioned air conditioned by the air conditioning unit 2 is also sent to the rear of the passenger compartment through a rear heater duct 87. The rear heater duct 87 extends from below the instrument panel 9 to the underside of a floor panel (not shown). In Figure 1, the rear heater duct 87 is shown by a dashed line.

[0015] The instrument panel 9 is provided with a heater control panel 7. With the heater control panel 7, the temperature and air volume of the air-conditioning air can be set. The operating modes of the air-conditioning unit 2 include an auto mode that is automatically controlled and a manual mode that is manually operated. The heater control panel 7 can also switch between the auto mode and the manual mode. In the auto mode, once the temperature is set, based on the information detected by a sensor that grasps the temperature situation inside the vehicle cabin, the temperature and air volume of the air-conditioning air are automatically controlled so that the temperature inside the vehicle cabin is maintained at the set temperature. The sensor includes a temperature sensor that measures the temperature inside the vehicle cabin. The sensor may include, for example, a sunlight sensor.

[0016] <First acquisition unit> The first acquisition unit 4 acquires the opening and closing information of the vehicle window, for example, the window opening degree. The window is usually raised and lowered by a motor. The first acquisition unit 4 is, for example, a rotary encoder that detects the rotation speed of the motor. The window opening degree is obtained from the rotation speed of the motor. When the motor is a stepping motor, the first acquisition unit 4 may be a measuring device that detects a pulse signal. The window opening degree is 0% when the window is in the fully closed state and 100% when the window is in the fully open state, and is defined by equally dividing the interval between 0% and 100%. The window for acquiring the opening and closing information is, for example, the window on the driver's seat side.

[0017] <Second acquisition unit> The second acquisition unit 5 acquires the position of the vehicle and also acquires information on the neighboring facilities of the vehicle. The position of the vehicle is the current location of the vehicle and is acquired, for example, by GPS. The information on the neighboring facilities of the vehicle is acquired by reading out the map information corresponding to the vicinity of the vehicle from the map information pre-stored in the memory. The neighboring facilities of the vehicle are the type information of the facilities in the vicinity of the current location of the vehicle. The map information includes road information and facility information. The facility information includes types of facilities, for example, drive-through, toll gate, and railroad crossing. The map information can utilize data used in a navigation system.

[0018] <Control unit> The control unit 3 controls the operation of the air conditioning unit 2 according to the auto mode or the manual mode. In the auto mode, the control unit 3 controls the operation of the air conditioning unit 2 so as to maintain the set temperature.

[0019] For example, a computer can be used for the control unit 3. Typically, the computer includes a processor and a memory. The processor is, for example, a CPU. The storage unit stores a control program for the processor to execute and various data. The control unit 3 operates when the control program stored in the memory is executed by the processor.

[0020] The control unit 3 includes an air volume control unit 31. When the air conditioning unit 2 is in the auto mode, the air volume control unit 31 controls the operation of the air conditioning unit 2 to reduce the air volume of the conditioned air based on the window opening / closing information and the map information. The air volume control unit 31 is executed according to the processing procedure shown in FIG. 2.

[0021] In step S1, it is determined whether the window of the vehicle is open. The window of the vehicle is, for example, the window on the driver's side. The window opening / closing information of the vehicle is, for example, the window opening degree and is obtained from the first acquisition unit 4. If the window opening degree is more than 0%, it is determined that the window is open. If it is determined that the window is open, the process proceeds to step S2. If it is determined that the window is not open, for example, the window opening degree is 0%, the operation of the air conditioning unit 2 is not changed and the current operation is maintained.

[0022] In step S2, it is determined whether the window of the vehicle is widely open. Information on how much the window of the vehicle is open is determined by the window opening degree. The window opening degree is obtained from the first acquisition unit 4 as in step S1. In this example, it is determined whether the window opening degree is 50% or more. If it is determined that the window opening degree is 50% or more, the process proceeds to step S3. If it is determined that the window opening degree is less than 50%, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0023] In step S3, it is determined whether the temperature inside the vehicle is below the temperature set in auto mode. The temperature inside the vehicle is constantly measured by a temperature sensor. The temperature set in auto mode is stored in memory. If it is determined that the temperature inside the vehicle is below the temperature set in auto mode, the process proceeds to step S4. If it is determined that the temperature inside the vehicle is above the temperature set in auto mode, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0024] In step S4, it is determined whether the vehicle is located at a drive-through or toll booth. Information on the vehicle's location and the type of nearby facilities is obtained from the second acquisition unit 5. If it is determined that the vehicle is located at a drive-through or toll booth, the process proceeds to step S6. If it is determined that the vehicle is not located at a drive-through or toll booth, the process proceeds to step S5. Whether the vehicle is located at a drive-through or toll booth is determined, for example, by the distance between the vehicle and the drive-through or toll booth.

[0025] In step S5, it is determined whether the vehicle is located near a level crossing. Information on the vehicle's position and the level crossing's position is obtained from the second acquisition unit 5. If it is determined that the vehicle is located near a level crossing, the process proceeds to step S6. If it is determined that the vehicle is not located near a level crossing, the operation of the air conditioning unit 2 is not changed, and the current operation is maintained. Whether the vehicle is located near a level crossing is determined, for example, by the distance between the vehicle and the level crossing.

[0026] In step S6, the airflow of the air conditioning is reduced. For example, the airflow of the air conditioning is reduced by lowering the rotation speed of the blower fan. The setting value for the reduced airflow can be selected as appropriate. The set value for the airflow should be, for example, the minimum value that allows for the minimum amount of airflow. The set value for the airflow may differ depending on the type of nearby facilities.

[0027] <effect> In the air conditioning control device 1 described above, the airflow of the air conditioning is reduced when the windows are open and the vehicle is located in a specific location. A specific location is a place where it is necessary to communicate with people or devices outside the vehicle, or a place where it is necessary to accurately perceive sounds from outside the vehicle. Examples of specific locations include drive-throughs, toll booths, or railway crossings. If the windows are wide open and the vehicle is located in a drive-through or toll booth, the airflow of the air conditioning is reduced. This is because at drive-throughs or toll booths, people open their windows to talk or exchange banknotes, etc. Reducing the airflow makes it less likely for conversations with people outside the vehicle and the exchange of banknotes, etc., to be obstructed by the airflow.

[0028] One reason for opening a window is ventilation. In the case of ventilation, windows may be opened only slightly. In this case, if the vehicle is not located near a level crossing, there is little need to check for outside noise. Therefore, there is no need to reduce the airflow of the air conditioner. In this example, the determination is made as to whether the window is open by 50% or more. This is because at drive-throughs or toll booths, the window is likely to be open by 50% or more in order to exchange banknotes, etc. In this example, if the window is open by less than 50%, it is considered that the window is open for ventilation, and the air conditioner's airflow is not reduced, so the comfort of the occupants is not compromised.

[0029] In the case of ventilation, windows may be opened wide to lower the temperature inside the vehicle. In this case, the temperature inside the vehicle is considered to be above the temperature set in auto mode. In this example, if the temperature inside the vehicle is above the temperature set in auto mode, the airflow of the air conditioner cannot be reduced unless the vehicle is located near a level crossing. When ventilating to lower the temperature inside the vehicle, the airflow of the air conditioner cannot be reduced, so the comfort of the occupants is not compromised.

[0030] If a vehicle is located near a level crossing, the airflow from the air conditioner will be reduced if the windows are even slightly open, regardless of the degree of opening. This is to prioritize safety and to ensure that the sound of the level crossing's warning signals is not easily obstructed by the airflow from the air conditioner.

[0031] The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims as shown, and equivalents thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible:

[0032] (1) In the flowchart shown in Figure 2, step S1 may be omitted and step S5 may be merged into step S4. In this case, the airflow control unit 31 will be executed in the following processing procedure. The processing content of each step is the same as the processing content of each step described above. If the result in step S2 is Yes, proceed to step S3. If the result in step S2 is No, terminate the process. If the result in step S3 is Yes, proceed to step S4. If the result in step S3 is No, terminate the process. Step S4 determines whether the vehicle is located near a drive-through, toll booth, or railroad crossing. If the result in Step S4 is Yes, the process proceeds to Step S6. If the result in Step S4 is No, the process ends.

[0033] In the configuration described in (1) above, the airflow of the air conditioning is reduced when the vehicle's windows are open by 50% or more and the vehicle is located in a specific location. If the vehicle's windows are open by less than 50%, the airflow of the air conditioning is not reduced regardless of the vehicle's location. In the configuration described in (1) above, for example, if the windows are opened only slightly for ventilation, the airflow of the air conditioning is not reduced, so the comfort of the occupants is not compromised.

[0034] (2) If the air conditioning unit is in auto mode, step S3 may be executed before step S2 in the flowchart shown in Figure 2. In this case, the airflow control unit 31 is executed in the following processing procedure. The processing content of each step is the same as the processing content of each step described above. If the result in step S1 is Yes, proceed to step S3. If the result in step S1 is No, terminate the process. If the result in step S3 is Yes, proceed to step S2. If the result in step S3 is No, terminate the process. If the result in step S2 is Yes, proceed to step S4. If the result in step S2 is No, proceed to step S5. If the result in step S4 is Yes, proceed to step S6. If the result in step S4 is No, proceed to step S5. If the result in step S5 is Yes, proceed to step S6. If the result in step S5 is No, terminate the process.

[0035] In the configuration described in (2) above, the airflow of the air conditioning is reduced when three conditions are met: the temperature inside the vehicle is below the temperature set in auto mode, the vehicle's windows are open by 50% or more, and the vehicle is located in a specific location. If the vehicle's windows are open and the temperature inside the vehicle is above the temperature set in auto mode, the airflow of the air conditioning will not be reduced regardless of the degree of window opening or the vehicle's location. In the configuration described in (2) above, if it is determined that the temperature inside the vehicle is above the temperature set in auto mode, the airflow of the air conditioning will not be reduced because it is assumed that the windows were opened for ventilation to lower the temperature inside the vehicle, and therefore the comfort of the occupants will not be compromised.

[0036] (3) The conditions for reducing the airflow of the air conditioner may include information about the vehicle speed. For example, the condition may include that the vehicle speed is below a certain level. When the vehicle speed is below a certain level, it is considered that the driver wants to carefully listen to sounds from outside the vehicle. Below a certain level of vehicle speed includes the case where the vehicle speed is zero, i.e., the vehicle is stopped. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0037] 1. Air conditioning control device 2. Air conditioning unit 3 Control unit, 31 Air volume control unit 4 First Acquisition Department 5 Second Acquisition Department 7. Heater control panel 81 Center register, 82, 83 Side registers 84 Front defroster, 85, 86 Side defroster 87 Rear heater duct 9. Instrument Panel

Claims

[Claim 1] An air conditioning unit that blows conditioned air into the passenger compartment of a vehicle, A control unit that controls the operation of the air conditioning unit, A first acquisition unit that acquires information on the opening and closing of the windows of the aforementioned vehicle, The system includes a second acquisition unit that acquires map information including the location of the vehicle and the type of facilities near the vehicle. The aforementioned types of nearby facilities include drive-throughs, toll booths, and railway crossings. The control unit includes an airflow control unit that controls the operation of the air conditioning unit to reduce the airflow of the air conditioning unit based on the window opening / closing information acquired from the first acquisition unit and the map information acquired from the second acquisition unit. The airflow control unit, A first step is to determine whether the opening of the window is 50% or more, A second step is to determine whether the temperature inside the vehicle is below the temperature set by the air conditioning unit, If the determination in the first step is Yes and the determination in the second step is Yes, a third step is to determine whether the vehicle is located at a drive-through or toll booth. If the determination in the first step is No, if the determination in the second step is No, or if the determination in the third step is No, a fourth step is to determine whether the vehicle is located near a level crossing. If the determination in the third step is Yes, or if the determination in the fourth step is Yes, the fifth step of reducing the airflow of the air conditioner is performed. Air conditioning control device.

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